I went on to a meeting with Dirk Gilleard, our weekly one to one session...

Dirk is a great colleague; an intelligent and thoughtful colleague and we talked about some of the real challenges we are facing with driving the learning agenda here in Leeds and about how we can continue to develop and support colleagues to release their potential.
Chris

I started the day yesterday having breakfast with Maxine Room, the new Principal and Chief Executive at Park Lane College...

Maxine is a real breath of fresh air and it was great just talking to her about the challenges and opportunities we face here in Leeds. We are both looking forward to Christmas!
Chris

Manchester is another great city and they do really do things well...

It's on a different scale to Leeds. The whole shopping and entertainment scene is huge and their Christmas markets are incredible although I thought that their Christmas lights were not up to the Leeds standard!
Chris

I went to Manchester's Bridgewater Hall over the weekend to see a performance of Verdi's Requiem. It's an incredibly powerful work and the Halle Orchestra and chorus were wonderful.
Chris

These are the photographs from last week's Foundation Degree Ceremony at Leeds Trinity and All Saints...

ANOTHER AWARD

Steve Smith, our Playing for Success and Quality Assurance in Study Support Manager sent me this bit of news...

"Dear Chris, As you may know the 'Backstage Past' Study Support project which ran at the Grand Theatre in partnership with Learning and Leisure was nominated for an award at the Yorkshire and Humber 'Making a Difference' Awards. The ceremony was presented by Claire Frisby (BBC) at the Queen's Hotel in Leeds last night. The project was up against some high profile competition including the Wilberforce Anti-Slavery Museum in Hull; the Sheffield International Indian Festival; and the West Yorkshire Young Firefighter Scheme to name but three.

The section they were nominated for was the Cultural Places Award - an award for making a difference through culture. The category recognised "significant impact through cultural activities" and was sponsored by the Arts Council, English Heritage, Sport England, and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. I am delighted to say that it was worth Rachael and Shabana putting on their best frocks and bling as they scooped the award! This is a real accolade and I'm sure you will join with me in congratulating the White Rose Learning Centre Team who designed, developed and delivered the project.
Well done Rachael and Shabana. Best wishes Steve"

This is more good news at the end of yet another great term here in Leeds!

Chris

Friday was another wash out for me with the start of yet another migraine attack that lasted over 36 hours...

I am sorry to anyone I didn't reach on Friday as a result.
Chris

My third school was Summerfield Primary School...

Karon Wittman, the headteacher, has a real vision for this little primary school with a strong focus on standards, inclusion and improvement.
Chris

I moved on to Pudsey Lowtown Primary School...

I was impressed by my visit to this little school; the quality of the learning environment, the relationships and purposeful learning and Rebecca Howells very focused leadership. It is clearly an inclusive and increasingly successful school with a strong focus on standards, tracking and intervention within a rich global curriculum and a focus on equality, health and environmental awareness.
Chris

I started the day on Thursday at Calverley Parkside Primary School...

It's a happy, friendly and welcoming little school where headteacher, Alan Duncalf, has achieved a great deal over the last couple of years. Matthew and Amy showed me around their school and talked powerfully and positively about the really great aspects of being a student at Calverley Parkside.
Chris