TRAINING MATTERS!

If we want to build brilliant learning places we need to develop a culture where we welcome feedback and help everyone in the school workforce to continuously update their knowledge and skills and have opportunities for good quality professional development.

FEEDBACK MATTERS!

We need to further develop the beautiful systems and powerful practices for reviewing and developing the work that goes on in our schools, recognising and rewarding good teaching and great learning, and supporting the development of every young person and the whole school workforce.

Family, Friends and Faith!

I remember what Martin Sheen said on Desert Island Discs about the most important things in life. He said they were family, friends and faith and it is important at times like this that we don't forget that these are the things that really, really matter although I think friends should be expanded to be community. Remember

Sheffield!

I was in Sheffield again today and saw this amazing rainbow...

"To be happy, drop the words "if only"

and substitute instead the words "next time".

Smiley Blanton

LEADERSHIP MATTERS!

Research clearly shows that the leadership of schools can have a hugely positive impact on the educational outcomes of young people.

The Dream Cycle!

I found this brilliant article on the web.

"Much wisdom often goes with the fewest words..."

Sophocles

"Leading a Self-Improving School System"

In "Leading a Self-Improving School System" David Hargreaves argues that the government's offer to the profession to lead the construction of a self-improving school system is an exciting one that should be taken up with enthusiasm.

"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."

Nelson Mandela

Collaboration and Partnership Matter!

How do we encourage collaboration and partnership working in an increasingly fragmented and unco-ordinated educational landscape.

"If you can't explain it simply,

you don't understand it well enough."

Albert Einstein

Be Brilliant!

I am struggling to understand why we are so focused on structures as the key to success. Over the last fifteen years I have visited so many amazing places and learned so much about the things that make brilliant learning places...