KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS MATTER!

We should have learnt by now, and working in Sheffield on the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Programme has simply reinforced the fact, that to create a world class education system we have to place an emphasis on process, not just content. We can’t merely teach students a bunch of facts; we have to show them how to learn and give them the skills they need to use their knowledge.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver

SURVIVAL SKILLS!

In his book ‘The Global Achievement Gap’, Tony Wagner, Innovation Education Fellow at Harvard University’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center, identifies the “Survival Skills” he says students should learn in school for the 21st century. He gleaned those skills from conversations in which he asked business leaders about what they look for in employees.

HAPPY MONDAY!

Always remember that 

"one day is worth a thousand tomorrows."

COACHING, PRACTICE AND HARD WORK!

The Cutlers ‘Made in Sheffield’ Project builds on a huge body of research suggesting that master coaching, deliberate practice and hard work are the real keys to success.

A PASSPORT TO EMPLOYMENT!

I attended a meeting of the Sheffield City-wide Learning Body yesterday afternoon. They were incredibly positive about the work we are doing and provided strong support for further developing the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Programme which is now working with six schools, the advanced manufacturing/engineering sector and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FoundationTrust.

BRILLIANT LEARNING!

People constantly tell me how hard it is to create brilliant learning places but it's easy...

LEARNING ZONES - THE WAY FORWARD!

We must continue to develop co-operative and collaborative approaches where we network and share what works and create 'learning zones' where we learn from our own best practice and what works everywhere and anywhere.

FIVE WAYS TO WELL-BEING!

1. Connect…
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community.

2. Be active…
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance.

3. Take notice…
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling.

4. Keep learning…
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food.

5. Give…
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group.

TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER!

This great story reminds us all about the things that really matter...

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO SHARE THE MAGIC!

"The principal goal of education...

should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things

...men and women who are creative, inventive, and discoverers."

Jean Piaget

Life is never ever dull, and the last few interesting months have shown me outstanding practice, incredible young people, and inspirational colleagues in schools in Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Lincoln and so many other places across the country.

MAKE, CREATE, INNOVATE!

I attended the 'Make, Create, Innovate' event at the Advanced Manufacturing Park this evening. It was packed with young people, their parents and carers and teachers all keen to learn more about the importance of science, technology and maths in the advanced manufacturing and engineering and creative and digital sectors.

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten!

"All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned: