LOOKING FORWARD!

Another half-term draws to the end and we face another half-term at the end of another school year; a half-term full of tests, assessments and examinations, a half-term where we celebrate the achievements and successes of yet another cohort of children and young people and a half-term full of challenges about how we move forwards with education and learning.

PHYSICS AND MATHS MATTER!

I have been helped a friend son, with his Physics and Maths A Level revision, as he prepares for his final A2 examinations next month.

THINK TEAM: THE MOUSETRAP STORY... PASS IT ON!

I have been blessed throughout my working life to be part of some great teams and I know from hard experience the enormous power of teamwork in addressing the real challenges we face in education. I know it's half-term but I found this story on the web and it made me smile...

"A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap...

HAPPY SUNDAY... HAVE A GREAT BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY!

 I can't send you all flowers, here's the next best thing.

THE MARBLES STORY... PASS IT ON!

It has been a challenging Spring with illness and elderly relatives, and I am constantly reminded that life is fragile and precious and that every day should be lived to the full doing work that you are passionate about and spending time with the people you love and care about. This story reminds us about the relentless passage of time and the importance of getting your priorities right. I found this story in my late night searches of the internet looking for inspiration.  "A man called in to a radio phone in "Let me tell you something, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of "a thousand marbles."...

TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD... THE STARFISH STORY!

I expect like me you are constantly frustrated by the challenges we face in our work, our families and our lives. Sometimes, I feel that these challenges are so great that it is difficult to know where to start. But, I always want to stay positive and do my little bit that hopefully will add to the efforts of those similarly minded individuals and change the world. That's why I love this story...

"While walking along a beach, a man saw in the distance what looked like a boy dancing....

SEVEN STEPS... PASS IT ON!

CULTURE MATTERS... PASS IT ON!

Reading the Guardian supplement on the Best Places to Work reminded me that the culture of any organisation is so important. Culture is 'the way we do things around here' and it determines how the organisation lives, eats and breathes. 

LEADERSHIP MATTERS... PASS IT ON!

It's a sad reflection on these fragmented times that the leaders, across the educational landscape, aren't all pulling in the same direction. Of course, I know that in today's crazy pressured world, school leaders are juggling multiple agendas and managing tight deadlines and there is barely time to talk, much less agree about a common purpose. It's challenging enough just keeping up with today's demands from governors, DfE and OFSTED!

INTELLIGENT ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS... PASS IT ON!

We live in a world where accountability is narrow, clumsy and brutal... at least if you work in the education sector... where you are judged on your last set of results regardless of context and where the detailed and intelligent analysis of outcomes is ignored! We need another way; one that recognises professionalism, experience and evidence and is built on trust, respect, self-review and teamwork.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER...

"Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.”
Wilfred Peterson

FEEDBACK MATTERS... PASS IT ON!

If we are serious about success for all, we need to further develop the systems and practices for reviewing and developing the work that goes on in our schools. We need to recognise and reward good teaching and great learning, and support the development of every young person and the whole school workforce.

FURTHER DEVELOPING MADE IN SHEFFIELD!

I have had some great meetings today with colleagues, schools and employers keen to be involved in the next phase of Made in Sheffield'.

EXCELLENCE MATTERS!

I have spent the last twenty years of my professional life working in York, Leeds, Nottingham, Guernsey and Sheffield trying to ensure that every school is a great school! And the answer is simple, you have to develop learning leadership, beautiful systems and intelligent accountability.

THIS SUNDAY READ THE GOD STORY!

I have had a tough few weeks and he older I get, the more I realise that friends, family and faith are the things that really matter. And having spent time with some of my friends this week, I found this story which made me remember that sharing, believing and friendship count...

"A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with chocolate bars and cokes and he started his journey.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH... PASS IT ON!

There is a great difference between failing to achieve a result and the conclusion you draw about yourself. In Carol Dweck's book 'Mindset' she explains that those who stay down after a setback make a judgment that they have failed, not just that their attempt failed. Moreover, people with a 'fixed mindset' often generalize from their “failures” to conclusions such as, “I am a loser,” and “I will probably always fail. Therefore, they assume, there is no point in getting up and working at problems and issues. So they quit, they give up and they seek a more comfortable option such as eating, drinking, shopping whatever to avoid facing what they consider to be their personal failure.

THE STORY OF THE SAND AND THE STONE!

I found another powerful story on the web. It tells the story of two friends... "Two friends were walking through the desert...

THIS FRIDAY READ THE COFFEE STORY!

Where do the weeks go? I can't believe that it's Friday again...another week has flown by and I am constantly reminded that I don't do enough to stay in touch with friends and family and this great story reminds me about the things that really matter...

"A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was...

A BRILLIANT OPPORTUNITY: GETTING TO KNOW HMRC!

I had a great meeting this morning with Angela Asif and Jackie Cawthorne, from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in Sheffield. Angela and Jackie are passionate about HMRC and the opportunities within the organisation for young people. HMRC is the only branch of Government actively recruiting more staff and I am delighted that Angela and Jackie are working with us to develop the new 'Made in Sheffield' HMRC Ambassador programme, which will start in September.

A BRILLIANT OPPORTUNITY: GETTING TO KNOW WHO CARES!

I had a really good meeting with Sharon Pressley from Progressive Care today. Sharon is passionate about the care sector and the opportunities for young people in the sector, which is a huge employer in Sheffield. I am delighted that Sharon is working with us to develop the new 'Made in Sheffield' Care Ambassador programme, which will start in September.

CULTERS' MADE IN SHEFFIELD: THE ENGINEERING STRAND!

I was over in Sheffield again yesterday with colleagues from the four schools working on the engineering/advanced manufacturing strand of the Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme. These schools are Bradfield School, Firth Park Community College,  Stocksbridge High School and Yewlands Technology College.

THE STORY OF THE GEESE... THINK TEAM!

I have been thinking about the fragmented educational landscape and the important of teamwork and I love this story..."This Autumn, when you see the geese heading south for the winter, flying in a "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way."

THE PACIFIC INSTITUTE, INVESTMENT IN EXCELLENCE AND STEPS!

"Whether they burst with excitement or simmer quietly, when you are in the presence of enthusiastic people, you feel happier and more excited about your life, perhaps you even feel inspired."
How do we create a culture of excellence? A culture where everyone goes the extra mile to achieve that bit of magic. A culture where everyone cares about the business and everyone feels a sense of ownership. A culture where everyone is trusted, empowered, valued and respected for the unique contribution they make. A culture that is rooted in developing those unique talents alongside core skills, character and higher level skills.

LEADERSHIP IN FRAGMENTED TIMES!

It's a sad reflection on these fragmented times that the leaders, across the educational landscape, aren't all pulling in the same direction. Of course, I know that in today's crazy pressured world, school leaders are juggling multiple agendas and managing tight deadlines and there is barely time to talk, much less agree about a common purpose. It's challenging enough just keeping up with today's demands from governors, DfE and OFSTED! 

THIS SUNDAY, PHONE A FRIEND!

This Sunday, remember what is important in life. It is't fame or celebrity or money... it's faith, friends and family. I was contacted by an old friend this week and it reminded me that when it comes down to what really matters, faith, family and friends make life worth living!

REMEMBER!

OPERA NORTH'S 'LA BOHEME'

I went to see Opera North's latest production of Puccini's La Boheme last night at the Leeds Grand Theatre. Those who know this fantastic piece of music will know that it’s a story of love at first sight when young struggling artist Rodolfo meets the poor seamstress Mimi in the grim reality of penniless life in the cold the Parisian Winter.

IT WON'T BE EASY, BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT!

I don't know about you but throughout my life people have told me things are impossible and it's not worth even trying to succeed in so many areas.

TEACHING PHYSICS AGAIN... AND I LOVE IT!

People constantly tell me that things are too hard, too difficult, too complicated and that only very special, very talented and very clever people can do these things... like physics! I started my teaching career as a physics teacher and I am still passionate about the subject and how it is taught...

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL AND DEVELOPMENT

I was in Sheffield again today talking to members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and development (South Yorkshire and District Branch) about the Cutlers Made in Sheffield initiative.

This radically different and unique programme was developed in Sheffield by businesses and schools working together and students from Bradfield, Firth Park, Forge Valley, Meadowhead, Stocksbridge and Yewlands, who had followed either the engineering/advanced manufacturing or the NHS Teaching Hospitals programme, were the first to achieve the Cutlers' Made in Sheffield passports.

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!

We have created a negative and destructive culture where bullying, command and control and high stakes testing are seen as the only way to achieve excellence. Those in control dismiss anyone who disagrees with them as the 'enemies of ambition' despite evidence from the best performing systems across the world which reinforce the need to nurture, develop and support learning leadership, beautiful systems and intelligent accountability.

REMEMBER TO THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK...

REMEMBER ON DAYS LIKE TODAY...

HAPPY SUNDAY!

To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower.

Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.

William Blake

REMEMBER THAT...

CREATING INNOVATORS: THE MADE IN SHEFFIELD WAY!

I think Tony Wagner has captured some really important messages in his book “Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World”. I read this brilliant piece by Thomas L. Friedman again which I first saw in the New York Times. I have highlighted and underlined some sections which confirm the importance of the work we are doing with the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" approach which is about to be launched into its next exciting phase. Lord Nash is a fan but I am not sure Michael Gove has read it!!

THE CUTLERS' MADE IN SHEFFIELD PROGRAMME!

In his recent speech, Lord Nash, the schools minister, mentioned the Cutlers' 'Made in Sheffield' programme following his recent visit to Firth Park Academy in Sheffield where he met some of the first Cutlers' Made in Sheffield Ambassadors. The approach has at its heart the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Passport to Employment which recognises and celebrates young people's achievement of eighteen basic, core and key skills which are essential for success in the work of work.

LABOUR'S EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW!

This makes interesting reading with forty recommendations aimed at although it fails to address some of the concerns around OFSTED!

THE DANGER WHEN OFSTED RULES!

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!

REMEMBER TO CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES CAREFULLY BECAUSE...