BE HAPPY, STAY HAPPY!

You can get bogged down by the challenges life throws at you, but I hope this will remind you how you can be happy and stay happy!

THE 80-20 RULE!

How do we create great schools for every child, every young person and every community? Personally, I passionately believe that the answers lie in developing collaborative and creative learning organisations built on beautiful systems, deep research, intelligent accountability and the importance of discipline and character. 

REMEMBER, YOU DON'T FATTEN A PIG BY WEIGHING IT!

At the end if yet another couple of weeks working with some great young people and their teachers in Sheffield and Barnsley, I am confused that people keep telling us that our education system in Yorkshire and the Humber is performing so poorly when compared to the best in the UK or the best in Europe let alone the best in the world.

REMEMBER WHAT MATTERS!

It has been another busy few weeks working on strategies and data, analysis and intelligence and case studies. Another week where people focus on the wrong things... like uniform, instruction, structures and management as the keys to success and fail to recognise the importance of feedback, challenge and hands-on experience of the world of work.

BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL!

Working with colleagues in Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield this week has reaffirmed my belief in people; their energy, passion, enthusiasm and commitment. It also made me realise how destructive the current accountability system is and the desperate need to develop learning leadership, beautiful systems and intelligent accountability as the drivers for change across the country.

SUCCESS IS ABOUT PERSISTENCE, DETERMINATION AND HARD WORK!

CUTLERS' 'MADE IN ROTHERHAM' PILOT!

I was in Rotherham today at the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust working with James Short, Learning and Development Manager, and colleagues from Oakwood High School and Saint Pius X Catholic High School.

THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT BARNSLEY!

 Lots to do but I was at Horizon Community College again this morning with the steering group who are working together to shape and steer the 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programme. The programme is being led by Kelly Drury, Training & Professional Development Manager at Barnsley Healthcare Federation, who is being supported by Paul Bibby.

WE MUST KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE!

WHAT THE ARTS TEACHES US...

THE ARTS AND CULTURE MATTER!

The arts matters and should be part of the entitlement for all young people. It is one of those unique elements that develop the skills and character required for success in school, work and life in general.

I was in Sheffield again yesterday meeting with Luisa Golob from Ignite Imaginations. 

HOW DO WE GIVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THE EDGE?

Working with young people makes you realise that we are living in digital times and that change is happening at an exponential rate. What is encouraging is meeting and working with the young people  on the 'Made in Sheffield' and 'Made in Barnsley' programmes at Bradfield, Firth Park, Handsworth Grange, Outwood Academy City, Stockbridge, Westfield, Horizon, Holy Trinity and The Dearne. I have met so many young people who are creative, imaginative and passionate. They want to develop their understanding of the world of work;  finding out about engineering, construction and healthcare and developing the skills that matter; the skills that will give them the edge.

ACTIONS MATTER!