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!