The Greatest Wonder!

"If the Earth were only a few feet in diameter...

...floating a few feet above a field somewhere, people would come from everywhere to marvel at it.

Talented, Brilliant, Gorgeous and Wonderful!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

GREAT SCHOOLS: Cockburn College of Arts

I have been thinking about some of the great schools in Leeds...

Cockburn College of Arts is one of our real success stories with the best contextual value added in the city, the region and possibly the country.

The results have gone from 9% achieving 5A*-C grades at GCSE to an sastonishing 70%. It is a fantastic example of what is possible with the right leadership, teaching and learning team and an unshakeable belief in what our young people can achieve.

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

I have been quoting this for the last twenty years since I discovered Robert Fulgham's wonderful book. It always seems to capture something about how to live and how to be in an increasingly complex and cluttered world...

"All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.

Things Science Says Will Make You Happy!

Two Days!

I found this as I was searching through the internet looking for answers...

"There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

GOOD's 10 Stress Busters!

Let’s be honest nobody likes a moaner. However tough life is it's better to start each new day with a smile.I was sent this by my friends at the GOOD site. I know there is nothing here that you haven't heard before but here are GOOD's 10 stress busters for you to try...

"The Summer Day"

Someone asked me where the one wild and precious life quote came from. It's from this wonderful poem by Mary Oliver...

I would pick more daisies!

These are interesting times for so many colleagues and friends leaving local authority teams after spending their lives serving young people, families and communities... 

I was reminded of the late Nadine Stair of Louisville, Kentucky, who was 85 years old when she was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again. "I'd make more mistakes next time," she said.

Bucklesham Primary School

My colleague stephenpage@schoolcouncils.org sent me this short case study about young people being involved in appointing their new headteacher...

"Bucklesham School is in a transition phase as it looks to recruit a new Headteacher. Should the children be involved or is it none of their business? Do they have the emotional capacity to make a worthwhile contribution or is this tokenism?

300th Post!

This is the 300th entry on the 'Releasing the Magic' Blog which started as I left Education Leeds in December...

It followed 2677 entries on the 'Interesting Times' blog which chronicled the last six years of my life as Chief Executive of Education Leeds. So nearly 3000 posts and I was with the team as we turned the lights off yesterday!

GREAT SCHOOLS: Quarry Mount Primary School!

I have been thinking about 'every school a great school', Michael Gove's comments which suggest that schools are somehow dumbing down learning and remembering my last visit to Quarry Mount Primary School...

I have been to Quarry Mount Primary School many times over the years and I love the place...

One Round Tuit!

This is a Round Tuit...