CULTURE BEATS STRATEGY EVERY TIME!

I am not sure why it is but a lifetime of working with schools has shown me time and time again, that culture beats strategy every time!

'RELEASING THE MAGIC' VISITORS THIS WEEK!

It's great to know that people all over the world still follow the blog...

Thank you for showing an interest!

THERE ARE NO SUPER-HEROES!

In a world where OFSTED strikes fear into the hearts of headteachers and teachers it is important to remember that the current short-term, quick fix interventionist approach led by super-heroes might have it's appeal but it doesn't work.

SKILLS MATTER!

We need to persuade the powers that be that the future is only going to be secured if we develop a 21st Century Learning Framework to drive our learning landscape. A framework built on 21st Century skills as well as subjects.

THINK TEAM!

I have visited some great schools over the last few years and each visit makes me realise that leadership, teaching and teamwork are what matters.

A PASSPORT TO EMPLOYMENT!

How do we equip our young people with what they will need to thrive and succeed in a world of work where the landscape is changing so rapidly that many if not most of the jobs they will be doing are new or haven't been invented yet!

HAPPY SUNDAY... HOPE THE SUN SHINES WHEREVER YOU ARE!

BETTER TOGETHER!

Striving for excellence and building world class provision is important

and requires us all to think team.

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY - A BETTER WAY!

It is increasingly obvious that the current OFSTED inspection approach is toxic and not fit for purpose. I have argued for a long time that we need learning leadership, beautiful systems and intelligent accountability and, in this DEMOS report, James Park argues that we need a new model of accountability which would allow all children to achieve their potential, while ensuring the quality of education in schools is of a high standard.

IF OFSTED IS THE ANSWER, WE ARE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION!

The danger, for schools in a simplistic and graded world where OFSTED rules, is that the model doesn't even come close to capturing the dynamic, organic and complex reality of any school and that there simply aren't the people talking about school improvement and developing and sharing a coherent vision for learning!

PLEASE SPONSOR ME IF YOU CAN!

I'm taking part in the Jane Tomlinson York 10K 2015 on 02/08/2015 to raise money for The Candlelighters Trust and I'd really appreciate your support. 

SHEFFIELD UTC

I visited the Sheffield University Technical College again yesterday afternoon. I was there, with my colleague Mike Garnock-Jones, to meet Nick Crew, Principal, and Brigidin Crowther, Assistant Principal, and talk to them about how the UTC might get involved in the Cutlers' "Better Learners, Better Workers' programme.

WESTFIELD SCHOOL AGAIN!

I visited Westfield Sports College in Sheffield again yesterday morning to see Andy Ireland, the headteacher, and Gary Simmons, the deputy head teacher to talk about the progress they were making and how we could continue to develop the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers' programme.