"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER THIS CHRISTMAS

I wanted to share this with you at Christmas because it reminds us all that we should 'never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'. Remember that each day, each hour, each minute, is special. Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

ANOTHER BLOOMING CHRISTMAS... THANK YOU!

Christmas is a time for people, families, love, kindness and giving and I have been lucky this year to have spent so much time with people I love and care about... you know who you are... thank you for spending some time with me during the year.

THIS CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER TO HAVE COFFEE WITH FRIENDS!

After another interesting year, always remember that if you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are really important. Play with your children and grandchildren. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play, sing, dance and laugh a lot! Have coffee with  friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix that squeaky door. Whatever you do, take care of the things that really matter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

THIS CHRISTMAS REMEMBER THAT FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS MATTER MOST!

I have recently had a reminder that I am getting older and it has made me pause, reflect and think about the things that matter most in my life! I suppose it isn't surprising that when it comes down to what really matters, faith, family and friends are the things that make life worth living!

THIS CHRISTMAS MAKE SURE THAT YOU EAT CHOCOLATE!

Chocolate is made from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree. The Greek term means literally "food of the gods". Cacao beans were used by the Aztecs to prepare a hot, frothy drink with stimulant and restorative properties. Chocolate itself was reserved for warriors, nobility and priests because the Aztecs valued its ability to confer wisdom and vitality.

THIS CHRISTMAS I AM GOING TO BUY SOME MARBLES!

I haven't been very well and it's funny how Christmas brings everything into sharp focus.... we need to be with friends, families and those we love. Let me tell you story that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.

In the hurly burly of work and our struggle against the challenges and problems life throws at us where there is never enough time or money to get by or to get ahead we can forget the things that are really important. This is the theory of "a thousand marbles."...

SLOW DOWN, YOU MOVE TO FAST!

I know that I am not a great example but I struggle to understand why everyone is in such a hurry all the time. We all constantly rush from one appointment to another place with little regard or care for anyone else; jumping traffic lights, ignoring the needs of others and pushing past people without looking or caring. I don't understand why it is but it appears that no-one seems to have any time or patience anymore and I was reminded of this wonderful poem by Brian Patten, one of the Liverpool poets.

THE FORGOTTEN HALF!

“Our interest is in the provision of an education that gives young people the experience and skills to continually build their careers once they enter the labour market. We urge 
that the education system be less focused on pushing young people through the hoops of assessment that lead on to higher education, and more focused on equipping them with the capabilities to progress through the labour market.”

In their report ‘The Forgotten Half’, produced for The Private Equity Foundation, Demos outlined a series of recommendations to help young people thrive and succeed; focusing on the employability skills, character, literacy and numeracy they need to succeed in work and life; giving them the support they need to stay on track and the experience of the world of work alongside mentoring.

BE HAPPY!

The University of California's professor of psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky has pioneered a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness in our day-to-day lives — in the short term and over the long term. Nothing new here but great that her research supports the approach I've been working on over the last twenty odd years.

AN INTRODUCTION TO BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS AT SAINT PIUS X CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

I was at Saint Pius X Catholic High School this afternoon working with their wonderful group of Cutlers’ ‘Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Rotherham' NHS Ambassadors. This programme is led by the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and is a consistent and coherent, employer-led approach that will develop, in this very special group of young people, the skills needed for employability and the world of the NHS.

BALBY CARR COMMUNITY ACADEMY 'BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS' AMBASSADORS

I had a great morning at Balby Carr Community Academy yesterday and met and interviewed some wonderful young people who were a brilliant advert for the academy.

OUTWOOD ACADEMY SHAFTON PARENTS AND CARERS FIND OUT ABOUT "BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS: MADE IN BARNSLEY'!

I was at Outwood Academy Shafton on Monday night to talk to the parents and carers of our new 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' ambassadors. Kelly Drury, who leads the programme for the Barnsley Healthcare Federation, and I were supported Jayne Carr, Additional Leader, Deep Experience and Head of Vocational/Life Subjects, who had helped us to recruit a wonderful group of 'Made in Barnsley' ambassadors!! We were there to explain the programme and the roles and responsibilities that come with being selected as a Cutlers' Ambassador. 

AN INTRODUCTION TO BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS AT OAKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

I was at Oakwood High School on Monday morning working with their new Cutlers’ ‘Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Rotherham' NHS Ambassadors. This programme is led by the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and is a consistent and coherent, employer-led approach that will develop, in this very special group of young people, the skills needed for employability and the world of the NHS.

SETTING TARGETS AND GOALS!

“Do you want to accomplish something that many people dream about, but few people ever actually accomplish? Unless you make it a goal for yourself and work everyday towards achieving it, why would you ever believe that you could accomplish it? Unless you see yourself slowly making progress, your dreams and aspirations are nothing more than vague notions floating around in your imagination.”

INTRODUCTION TO 'BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS' AT WESTFIELD SCHOOL!

I was at Westfield School this morning with my colleague Sarah Ward, Business Champion for the engineering ambassadors at the school.

We were working with the Year 9 ambassadors as part of their WOW Factor Programme; where Sarah and I explain how the 'Better Learners, Better Workers' programme works, stress the ambassadors roles and responsibilities and work with the ambassadors to set targets and goals for next term. Sarah and I will be working with the ambassadors on three more sessions as part of their WOW Factor Programme: 'Why skills Matter in the World of Work', 'Teamwork in the World of Work' and 'Careers and Opportunities in the World of Work'.

OUTWOOD ACADEMY CARLTON PARENTS AND CARERS FIND OUT ABOUT "BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS: MADE IN BARNSLEY'!

I was at the brilliant Outwood Academy Carlton last night to talk to the parents and carers of our new 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' ambassadors. Kelly Drury, who leads the programme for the Barnsley Healthcare Federation, and I were supported by wonderful colleagues from the academy to explain the programme and the roles and responsibilities that come with being selected as a Cutlers' Ambassador. 

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH... DIG IN!

CREATIVITY MATTERS!

We need young people with ideas helping to tackle the problems we face.

'BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS' COMES TO OUTWOOD ACADEMY DANUM!

My colleague Tina Slater, from Doncaster Skills Academy,  and I were at Outwood Academy Danum this afternoon launching the 'Better Learners, Better Workers' scheme in our second Doncaster school. It was great to have Nigel Roberson, Assistant Principal at the academy, with us. Nigel's care and commitment to his students was very obvious at the end of a long day.

WOW MATTERS!

If it's true that four or five high quality experiences of the World of Work makes such a difference to young people's ambition, aspiration and attitudes to learning why aren't we making it an entitlement for all young people?

SKILLS MATTER!

GREAT NEWS: 'BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS' LAUNCHED IN DONCASTER!!

My colleague Sarah Ward and I were at Balby Carr Community Academy yesterday morning launching the 'Better Learners, Better Workers' scheme in our first Doncaster school. It was great to have John Innes, the headteacher, with us, since John was part of the original team who developed the Cutlers' 'Made in Sheffield' scheme. John's passion and commitment to his students shone through the session.

WHAT IS GRIT?

BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS

The Cutlers’ ‘Better Learners, Better Workers’ programme is a consistent and coherent, employer-led approach that develops, in young people, the skills needed for employability and the world of work. It reconnects schools and business/employers through Business Champions and builds relationships and an understanding of the world of work in schools. In simple terms, it provides: 

·      Businesses with home grown talent which will allow them to grow; and 

·      Young people with the skills they need to gain employment and be the best they can be!

BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS: MADE IN BARNSLEY!

 I was at The Dearne ALC again this morning with the steering group for the 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programme which is rapidly growing...

BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS!

Character, skills and attributes lie at the heart of the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers'' approach and there is a growing body of research that suggests that there are a set of 'soft' skills, attributes and character traits that, while not easy to measure, lie at the heart of success at school, at work and in life in general. 

THE ARTS MATTER!

There are so many of us who passionately believe that every child matters, and that those who are the hardest to reach and the hardest to teach matter more. Increasingly experience tells us that for young people generally, and for those harder to reach young people, the arts matter and it is encouraging that 'Better Learners, Better Workers' has received some funding from the Arts Council to develop the arts and culture strand of this great programme...

OUTWOOD ACADEMY SHAFTON SELECT THEIR 'MADE IN BARNSLEY' AMBASSADORS!

I had a great morning at Outwood Academy Shafton today and met and interviewed some really special young people who were a wonderful advert for the academy.

Kelly Drury and I worked with Jayne Carr, Additional Leader, Deep Experience and Head of Vocational/Life Subjects, to recruit a wonderful group of 'Made in Barnsley' ambassadors!! We interviewed for most of the morning and we selected an excellent group of girls and boys who will really add value to the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programme. We were all impressed with the way the students interviewed and performed. Fantastic to have Jayne and the Outwood Academy Shafton team and their ambassadors on board... Kelly and I are really looking forward to working with them!

GIVING 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 new 'Made in Barnsley' programmes at Horizon Community College, Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School, The Dearne ALC, Outwood Academy Carlton and Outwood Academy Shafton. 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.

CBI LIFELONG LEARNING POLICY REPORT

Another important piece of reading is the CBI's 'Lifelong Learning Policy Report'

"The UK education system began to take shape in 1858, and featured mass public examinations based on pupils’ ability to recall information and apply standardised methods. This remains essentially the same way we educate today. Schools must refocus on the application of knowledge rather than simply the acquisition of it, to boost the level of soft skills in future generations.

Multiple, high-quality work experiences should become compulsory for all students from the age of 13 onwards so that young people can learn from employers and be better informed and equipped to make the right choices to help achieve their future career aspirations."

GREAT MORNING WITH THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE!

I was at the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Handsworth Training Centre this morning...

The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is working with some wonderful young ambassadors from Outwood Academy City and a great morning was had by all!

OUTWOOD ACADEMY CARLTON SELECT THEIR 'MADE IN BARNSLEY' AMBASSADORS!

I had a great day at Outwood Academy Carlton today and met and interviewed some wonderful young people who were a great advert for the academy.

Working with Suzie Day, Assistant Principal, Kelly Drury and I recruited a wonderful group of 'Made in Barnsley' ambassadors!! We interviewed all morning and into the afternoon, and we selected an excellent group of girls and boys who will really add value to the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programme. We were all impressed with the way the students interviewed and performed. Fantastic to have Suzie and the Outwood Academy Carlton team and their ambassadors on board... Kelly and I are really looking forward to working with them!

'OVERLOOKED AND LEFT BEHIND'

I have been re-reading the House of Lords Select Committee report 'Overlooked and Left Behind' and it is important reading for anyone who is passionate about helping young people develop the skills and attributes needed for the world of work. 

SAINT PIUS X CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NHS AMBASSADORS

I had a great day at Saint Pius X Catholic High School today and met and interviewed some wonderful young people who were an amazing advert for the school.

James Short, from Rotherham Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and I recruited an amazing group of NHS ambassadors!! We interviewed with Sue Smith, Headteacher, for most of the afternoon, and we have selected an excellent group of girls and boys who will really add value to the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Rotherham' programme. We were all impressed with the way the students interviewed and performed. Fantastic to have the Saint Pius X team and their brilliant ambassadors on board... they are going to be some of the stars of this year's Y9 NHS programme!

WINGFIELD ACADEMY ENGINEERING AMBASSADORS

I had a great day at Wingfield Academy today and met and interviewed some wonderful young people who were an amazing advert for the academy.

Janice Richardson, from Workwise, and I have recruited an amazing group of engineering ambassadors!! After interviewing for most of the day, we have selected an excellent group of girls and boys who will really add value to the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers' engineering programme. Bryan Picton and Jo Sorby worked with us on the selection and they were delighted with the day and the way their students interviewed and performed. Fantastic to have the Wingfield Academy team and their brilliant ambassadors on board... they are going to be some of the stars of this year's Y9 programme!

WE NEED LEARNING LEADERSHIP!

We need to develop learning leadership throughout the system starting from the premise that everyone is a learner, including students, teachers, headteachers, the school as a community, the wider educational system and the community the school serves. Learning leadership involves maintaining a focus on learning as the key activity a school is engaged in; where everyone is a learner, while recognising that learning is highly sensitive to context and that  people learn in very different ways. Learning leadership also recognises that everyone can be a leader and that opportunities to exercise leadership enhance learning and that we can develop leadership abilities from any powerful learning experience.

WE NEED LEARNING LEADERSHIP!

We need to develop learning leadership throughout the system starting from the premise that everyone is a learner, including students, teachers, headteachers, the school as a community, the wider educational system and the community the school serves. Learning leadership involves maintaining a focus on learning as the key activity a school is engaged in; where everyone is a learner, while recognising that learning is highly sensitive to context and that  people learn in very different ways. Learning leadership also recognises that everyone can be a leader and that opportunities to exercise leadership enhance learning and that we can develop leadership abilities from any powerful learning experience.

'BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS'... HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES

It has been an amazing half-term for the 'Better Learners, Better Workers' programme... We had a wonderful session at Magna for the Y9 engineering ambassadors who went 'Back to the Future' to research the history of the engineering and advanced manufacturing sector in Sheffield. We were at Sheffield Wednesday FC for another great 'team building' day with the Y9 arts and culture. construction and South Yorkshire Fire and `Rescue service ambassadors. And finally we were at Jury's Inn for the Y11 engineering ambassadors 'World of Work' session. Thanks to John Barber and the Workwise team and to Levi Ashton and the Sheffield Wednesday Community Foundation team for making it all happen.

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD... AND!

VISIT OUR WEB-SITE

In Sheffield we have developed something special – an opportunity for young people still at school to develop the skills, character and industry knowledge required for the world of work in the 21st century. Pioneered by the Cutlers’ Company, the powerhouse of engineering and manufacturing in the region, the Made in Sheffield programme has already helped over 500 students from 10 different schools and academies to develop their skills working in 10 different employment sectors. And now the programme is starting in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. You can find out more by visiting our misambassadors.org website.

AMBASSADORS VISIT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY FC!

Sadly I missed the great session that Sheffield Wednesday FC organised for our Year 9 ambassadors yesterday. The day was led by Levi Ashton from the Sheffield Wednesday Community Foundation and was attended by students from Firth Park Academy, Outwood Academy City, Stocksbridge High School and Westfield School.

James Colliver, who leads the programme for Outwood Academy City, said that "the students have gained vital skills and will be able to use these experiences both in school and post 16. The session went really well; enthusiastic practitioners, excellent venue and engaged children who were willing to get out of their comfort zone and give everything a go. All of the ambassadors have been great and it's lovely to see children from all over the city, from different backgrounds working collaboratively for the same purpose."  Great to have Sheffield Wednesday supporting us with this brilliant programme.

'BACK TO THE FUTURE' WITH THE CUTLERS' ENGINEERING AMBASSADORS

I was at Magna in Rotherham this afternoon with the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers' Year 9 engineering ambassadors from Bradfield School, Handsworth Grange Sports College, Firth Park Academy, Outwood Academy City, Stocksbridge High School, Westfield School and Yewlands Academy.

The ambassadors had a tour of Magna and the opportunity to talk to engineering employers during the morning before working in mixed school groups to research and develop a performance looking back at the history of the Cutlers' Company, the history of steel making in Sheffield and then looking at the future. The day ended with the Master Cutler presenting the ambassadors with their Cutlers' Badges before the students performed for an invited audience of  parents, carers and families and guests. 

BBC RADIO SHEFFIELD 'GOOD NEWS FRIDAY'

I was on BBC Radio Sheffield on Friday with Kelsey and Habib, two of our wonderful Year 11 ambassadors.

It was great that these two young people found the time to come to BBC Radio Sheffield on Friday morning to be part of their ‘Good News Friday’ programme. It isn't easy to go into a radio studio and talk to someone you have never met before and Toby Foster, who introduced the breakfast show, was clearly really impressed with Kelsey and Habib... he said it was hard to believe that they were only fifteen.

It was good to hear Kelsey and Habib talk so positively and enthusiastically about the Cutlers' 'Made in Sheffield' engineering and NHS programmes; their confidence, communication and determination shone through and they were really impressive! They were a wonderful advert for Westfield School and Fir Vale Academy, the engineering and NHS programmes and the Cutlers' Company.

I am looking forward to seeing Kelsey and Habib again at the Cutlers Passport Ceremony at the Cutlers' Hall on Wednesday 8th March 2017.

HEALTHCARE 'TASTER' DAY AT BARNSLEY HEATHCARE FEDERATION

I was in Barnsley yesterday morning at the first Healthcare 'taster' session for the 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programme. It was a great morning and helped the ambassadors from Horizon Community College, The Dearne ALC and Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School understand the importance of the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers' skill set and started to get them to appreciate the opportunities and careers within the Barnsley Healthcare Federation.

The attendance in half-term was incredible....a fantastic compliment to Kelly Drury, who runs the programme for the Federation. The ambassadors were great... focused, on-task and engaged... we have some really wonderful young people as part of Kelly's team! This session was about getting the young people to meet the team... a diverse group of the Federation's colleagues and to get the ambassadors to appreciate the range of jobs in healthcare and that worked very well... with business manager, nurse, nurse practitioner, human resources manager and estates manager. The ambassadors were really positive about the session and their induction event at Barnsley College... feedback from the young people about sessions being more practical was helpful and going forward we will check that the sessions are not too classroom based but as active and hands-on as possible. I love 'Made in Barnsley' and can see how well this strand of 'Better Learners, Better Workers' is going to work!! I am looking forward to planning the next steps with Kelly after half-term.

TODAY AS THE UK HAS DECIDED TO LEAVE THE EU, COFFEE ANYONE?

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Remember friends, faith and family matter most. There will always be time for the small stuff.  Take care of the things that really matter first. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand...

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...

DONCASTER MATTERS!

I was at the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce today working with Tina Slater, Business and Education Manager. We were working together develop a pilot programme which would link together the Doncaster Skills Academy with the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Doncaster' programme.  Exciting times... watch this space!

BARNSLEY MATTERS!

I was in Barnsley again today working with Kelly Drury, who is managing the Cutlers' 'Better Learners, Better Workers: Made in Barnsley' programmer for the Barnsley Healthcare Federation. Kelly is the Training & Professional Development Manager for the Barnsley Healthcare Federation and it has been a real privilege working with her as we put the programme in place for students from Horizon Community College,  Holy Trinity Catholic and Church of England School and The Dearne ALC. Kelly is a passionate Barnsley FC supporter and her enthusiasm and energy are contagious and the young people who get selected for this pilot programme are going to be very lucky!!

WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE WITHOUT MUSIC AND THE ARTS?

"The arts are a central part of the human experience and young people cannot participate or understand our history without engaging in the arts..."

THE ARTS MATTER!

There are so many of us who passionately believe that every child matters, and that those who are the hardest to reach and the hardest to teach matter more. Increasingly experience tells us that for young people generally, and for those harder to reach young people, the arts matter...

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.