LAST SESSION AT BRINSWORTH TRAINING!

I was at the Brinsworth Academy of Engineering again this afternoon meeting with the third group of young Ambassadors, from the four schools involved in the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Project, for the next day of their Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors Programme.

EEF TOOLKIT: AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK!

The Sutton Trust-EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit is an accessible summary of educational research which provides guidance for teachers and schools on how to use their resources to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

The Toolkit currently covers 30 topics, each summarised in terms of their average impact on attainment, the strength of the evidence supporting them and their cost. These are the ones that don't appear to make a difference!

EEF TOOLKIT: WHAT WORKS BEST!

The Sutton Trust-EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit is an accessible summary of educational research which provides guidance for teachers and schools on how to use their resources to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

The Toolkit currently covers 30 topics, each summarised in terms of their average impact on attainment, the strength of the evidence supporting them and their cost. These are the ones that appear to make the biggest difference!

BRINSWORTH TRAINING AGAIN!

I was at the Brinsworth Academy of Engineering again this afternoon meeting with the second group of young Ambassadors, from the four schools involved in the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Project, for the next day of their Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors Programme.

BRINSWORTH TRAINING!

I was at the Brinsworth Academy of Engineering this afternoon meeting with the first group of young Ambassadors, from the four schools involved in the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Project, for the next day of their Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors Programme.

BRILLIANT SCHOOLS FOR EVERYONE!

Interesting times! But don't despair because what I have learned over the last twenty years and through working with extraordinary colleagues and extraordinary schools in North Yorkshire, York, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Lincoln provides us with a framework for delivering brilliant schools and brilliant outcomes for every child and young person and every community!

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things!

I was in Leeds again last week and met some old friends and colleagues who talked passionately about Education Leeds and the incredible culture we created within the organisation. A unique and special culture which won awards and recognition locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Oh well, the snow has gone

and the rain is forecast for tomorrow

but always remember that 

"one day is worth a thousand tomorrows."

BRILLIANT LEARNING MATTERS!

I have spent the last seventeen years of my professional life working in York, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield trying to ensure that every school I have worked with in these wonderful cities is a great school. I have a great few days last week at NEEC 2013 and the messages I took from the conference, the keynotes, the seminars and the meetings I had with old friends and colleagues, simply reinforced my beliefs about the things that matter!

ANYONE FOR COFFEE, THIS SNOWY SUNDAY MORNING?

Another Sunday and the UK is blanketed with snow but over a cup of coffee read this great story which reminds us all about the things that really matter...

HAPPY SATURDAY!

I have had a wonderful week meeting old friends and colleagues, working with colleagues in Sheffield, attending some brilliant stuff at NEEC 2013 and meeting Lord Baker with some of the Cutlers' "made in Sheffield" Ambassadors, colleagues from the Company of Cutlers and colleagues from Sheffield City Council. The things I have learned this week are:

• take the initiative;
• work hard to make and keep friends;
• don't compare yourself to others;
• always say thank you;
• wherever you can, give things away;
• remember to exercise;
• smile, laugh and enjoy yourself;
• set yourself goals;
• try to enjoy every moment; and
• remember that money won't buy you happiness;

NEEC 2013: DAY THREE!

Great day today at NEEC 2013 with inputs from Professor Tanya Byron, Matthew Syed, Camila Batmanghelidjh and Charlie Taylor.

However, the highlight for me was the session with Lord Baker on the future of secondary education.

NEEC 2013: DAY TWO!

I am up on Floor Five with some great stuff showcasing some of the best of Sheffield, which sadly very few people are visiting since most of the action is happening on Floor Two!

NEEC 2013: DAY ONE!

I had a really interesting day today at NEEC 2013, meeting lots of old friends and colleagues and listening to some excellent sessions.

CUTLERS' "MADE IN SHEFFIELD" PROGRAMME AT NEEC 2013!

I spent the middle of the day setting up this display at NEEC 2013!

KINDNESS MATTERS: PASS IT ON!

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Aesop

NEEC 2013 COMES TO SHEFFIELD! The North of England Education Conference: 16 - 18 January 2013

The UK’s biggest annual education conference is coming to Sheffield.

THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS!

BE HAPPY!

What is it they say makes you happy? 

HAPPY SUNDAY!

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -real life.

But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first,

some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.

At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

Alfred D'Souza 

UNLEASHING GREATNESS!

"The evidence considered by the Commission suggests a more intensive drive to develop professional connections, collaborative activity and learning – both within and across schools – will generate fundamental change across the school system."

ACADEMIES COMMISSION REPORT: UNLEASHING GREATNESS!

NEEC 2013 IS COMING TO SHEFFIELD!

Will you be there?

William Booth Primary School

In Nottingham again this afternoon talking to HMI at William Booth Primary School about the schools' journey out of Special Measures. Our friends from OFSTED are carrying out a best practice review of local authorities support for schools presumably to look at what is needed to fill the increasingly barren middle tier. 

THINGS THAT MATTER MOST!

People constantly tell me that things are impossible but the more I visit outstanding places and meet incredible colleagues and young people the more I realise that anything is possible. These are the things I have learned...

"Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by 

the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." 

Mark Twain

WE ARE THE SPECIAL ONES!

"People who value money, power, fame and good looks are less likely to be happy than people who value compassion, cooperation and a willingness to make the world a better place. That astounded me -- but it somehow made sense. People who express their love -- who rejoice in the health and happiness of others -- are more likely to feel loved and happy themselves." 

Ed Diener

It's true that excellence doesn't just happen. Command and control and performance related pay won't help because they simply create mediocre outcomes. We must coach, nurture and encourage colleagues to be their brilliant best and achieve outstanding things by helping them find their passions and the things they love.

OH WELL! IT HAD TO FINISH SOMETIME!

The Christmas and New Year celebrations are over and the decorations have been taken down and stored away for another year. Homes are quiet and no-one has any money left! Personally, I'll miss the magic and sparkle, the laughter, fun and games... 

As we all gear up for work and the stresses and hassle of another difficult year, I hope 2013 brings you and those you love peace and happiness, fun and laughter and everything you deserve. Remember, that when it comes down to it, the only things that really matter are faith, family and friends. 

Chris

THE POWER OF TEAM!

Everywhere, colleagues are facing relentless pressure, higher and higher expectations, along with the increased and increasing demands to do things more efficiently and more effectively...

THINK POSITIVE!

"Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.

Watch your actions, they become habits.

Watch your habits, they become your character.

Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."

Everyone gets down after Christmas so here are some things you can try to help overcome the negative thoughts as we gear up for another great year...

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS CULTURE!

The culture of an organisation is so important. How do you move on from saying the words to actually making the cultural change?

CULTURE MATTERS!

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." W. B. Yeats

If you read the McKinsey Report, analyse the PISA data and listen to people like Ken Robinson it is increasingly obvious that, while recognising what has been achieved over the last ten to fifteen years, we are still not doing enough to ignite and inspire our colleagues and our children to become brilliant learners.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Another New Year...

I hope that everyone who reads my new blog has a happy, healthy, safe and successful 2013 and that it brings you and those you love and care about, peace, fulfillment and all the things you really, really want. Most importantly love what you are doing and simply be happy! And always remember that when it comes down to it the only things that really matter are faith, family and friends. It is certainly going to be an interesting year!
Chris