LOOK AT FINLAND!

 Politicians set the overall framework and then get out of the way! Teachers are empowered, trusted and valued! REFRESHING!

THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES!

In a world where OFSTED strikes fear into the hearts of headteachers and teachers it is important to remember that the current short-term, and quick fix interventionist approach is not based on in-depth understanding of the research evidence about what works or a detailed understanding of the context and culture of schools, but on superficial data analysis and instant judgements which don't lead to sustainable lasting change or school improvement.

FEEDBACK WORKS BEST!

John Hattie's "Visible Learning: A Synthesis of over 800 Meta-analyses relating to Achievement" points out very clearly that the most powerful single thing we can do to enhance achievement is provide learners with feedback. The most simple prescription for improving education must be "dollops of feedback"!

AFTER THE RAIN!

The River Ouse in York reached 5.05 metres or 16.57 feet or an astonishing 198.82 inches above normal last night.

NEVER MIND THE RAIN!

I was in Sheffield again yesterday watching the rain and wondering what happened to the Summer this year. However, last night we recognised and celebrated the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors: our first group of young people who will experience this radically different and unique programme developed in Sheffield by schools and businesses working together.

Refuse to accept anything but the best!

"It's a funny thing about life,

if you refuse to accept anything but the best,

you very often get it."

W Somerset Maugham

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Practice is vital for success whatever you do or want to do. My experience over  lifetime spent working with schools makes me realise that the essential elements in success are master coaching, deliberate practice and hard work but the more I read the more I begin to see that the science suggests that to become really world class other factors loom large.

'A Whole New Mind' by Dan Pink

"The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind... computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands....

KEEP SMILING AND "Don't you quit!"

It has been tough recently for so many colleagues so if you don't know this poem it is worth a read as we all struggle through the challenges life throws at us...

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Whatever you are doing and wherever you are have a brilliant day!

The Choice is Yours!

Over the last ten years I have spent time with so many exceptional people...

ALWAYS REMEMBER: It is not the critic who counts!

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

THE BIG CHALLENGE 2013!

I attended the launch of The BIG Challenge in Sheffield this morning...

You can find out more at WWW.BIGCHALLENGE.BIZ