MATHEMATICS... IT AIN'T WHAT YOU DO, IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT. THAT'S WHAT GETS RESULTS!

WHAT PISA TELLS US ABOUT GREAT PROVISION!

The more I read the PISA results the more I see that there are some really important messages which we need to use to help us guide and shape future provision. 

ANOTHER TUESDAY, ANOTHER ENGINEERING INDUCTION EVENT!

I attended the last of our three Engineering Induction Sessions yesterday at the Advanced Manufacturing Centre's Training Centre in Sheffield for the Cutlers' Ambassadors from Firth Park Academy and Outwood Academy City.

ENGINEERING INDUCTION SESSIONS!

Earlier this week, I attended the Induction Sessions at the Advanced Manufacturing Centre's Training Centre in Sheffield for the Cutlers' Engineering Ambassadors from Bradfield School, Handsworth Grange Sports College, Stocksbridge High School and Westfield School.

IT AIN'T WHAT YOU DO IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT!

Acadamisation and take overs are not the answer! We need to find another way! The keys to success lie in recognising that the vast majority of the workforce in our schools have the ability to be outstanding and simply need to find themselves in a supportive, developmental culture which nurtures excellence, expect high standards and has high expectations.

HOW DO WE CREATE AND SUPPORT GREAT SCHOOLS?

Visiting schools in Sheffield over the last week has reminded me if I had ever forgotten that building great schools and great provision requires strong and highly effective learning leadership, powerful governance, an organisational infrastructure with beautiful systems, financial resources and autonomy, professional excellence at all levels, intelligent accountability and brilliant, responsive and flexible support... and most of all it requires teamwork.

WE ALL WANT TO BE WINNERS!

In 'Winners; and how they succeed' Alastair Campbell sets out the things he knows about winning. As Tony Blair's spokesman and strategist Campbell helped guide the Labour Party to victory in three successive general elections, and he's worked with an astonishing range of talented people - from elite athletes to top managers, from rulers of countries to rulers of global business empires.

OUTWARD ACADEMY CITY INTERVIEWS!

My colleague John Barber and I were at Outwood Academy City today to interview and select the academy's Cutlers 'Made in Sheffield' Engineering ambassadors. 

GOLD AMBASSADORS DINNER AT THE CUTLERS HALL!

I spent Friday evening with an amazing group of young people at the Cutlers Hall.

SWITCH THEM ON!

The scary thing isn’t what we have achieved, but our potential to achieve so much more if only we can release the magic and switch on those people who are currently switched off. Switched off by a lack of interest, a lack of motivation, a lack of enthusiasm, a lack of energy and drive.

ENGINEERING AMBASSADORS

I was over in Sheffield again yesterday with colleagues from the schools working on the engineering/advanced manufacturing strand of the Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme. These schools are Bradfield School, Firth Park Academy,  Handsworth Grange Community Sports College, Stocksbridge High School, Westfield School and Outwood Academy City.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORT AMBASSADORS

I was at Firth Park Academy in Sheffield again this week to plan the new programme for the Arts, Culture ands Sports ambassadors.

HOW THE UK DOES IN KEY AREAS IN THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 2014 - 2015!