Over the weekend I read a brilliant OFSTED report...

We don't have many secondary schools described as outstanding by our friends at OFSTED so it was wonderful to read Roundhay School Technology College's report where the school is described as outstanding, inclusive and highly successful. The team recognised Neil Clephen's strong and inspirational leadership, the quality of leadership, managemnet and team work across the school and the outstanding teaching and learning. I have rarely read such a celebration of secondary excellence.
Chris

USE YOUR TIME WELL!

• Think, reflect, research, analyse and learn;
• Be visible, accessible and available;
• Walk the talk and constantly connect with colleagues;
• Tell stories; celebrate, praise and challenge;
• Teach, coach and model behaviours you want to see;
• Get a life... live, love and regularly escape;
• Do things to make people feel special.

Try it and see...

Chris

I spend a significant slice of the day with a group of young people from Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, City of Leeds School, South Leeds High School and West Leeds High School...

As part of 11 MILLION Takeover Day, this group of young people, who had been nominated to represent their schools, spent the afternoon with the Education Leeds executive team. They had a brief tour of Merrion House, had lunch with the team and and shared their views and experiences, discussed solutions, and had the chance to ask lots of questions!

The young people were wonderful ambassadors for their schools and we discussed the following:

• the environment, recycling and school meals;
• bullying and anti-social behaviour;
• the limitations of PFI buildings and contracts;
• the challenges associated with merging secondary schools;
• the importance of an attractive and stimulating learning environment;
• positive behaviour, rewards and sanctions; and
• school uniform.

We all enjoyed meeting these young people and have agreed to meet them again in March to review these issues.

Chris

I started the day early at Hinsley Hall with Dierdre Rowe looking at some of the opportunities and challenges we face with Catholic provision here in Leeds...

It was a great start to the day; to sit, talk and share bacon butties!
They certainly know how to live at Hinsley Hall!
Chris

I finished another long day at the Civic Hall at the Fifth Annual Leeds Peace Poetry Competition Awards Evening which is a vital part of 'Together for Peace'...

And it was fantastic... dancing and singing from a group of children and young people called Arrows of Promise followed by three poets reading the primary school finalists... then classical guitar played by Ramtin followed by the secondary school finalists poems... then more from Arrows of Promise followed by the adult finalists poems which included Colin Trenholme from Hugh Gaitskell Primary School's brilliant 'Green Piece'. Special awards were given to two children from Tranmere Park Primary School as the youingest ever entrants to the competition.

It is great to know that poetry is alive and thriving in our primary and secondary schools and I hope that next year more schools will encourage and support the competition.
Chris

I then visited the NE SILC at West Oaks...

This is a brilliant school and Andrew Hodkinson, it's new headteacher, wanted to talk to me about his vision for the school and the behavioural continuum here in Leeds. It was an interesting and refreshing meeting with a lot of creative ideas and a real sense of how we can shift one of our wicked and challenging issues. I look forward to seeing how the school's work locks into the new Inclusive Learning Strategy and how we continue to build on our centres of excekllence to develop brilliant learning consistently across all our provision!
Chris

I have just heard some brilliant news...

The School Improvement Support Service at Elmete has been awarded Chartermark! This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the work some amazing colleagues have put into developing the service over the last few years. I am really grateful to Margaret Dalby for her leadership and care and to Linda Gibson who co-ordinated the work.... and to everyone in the team!
Chris

I moved on to the Elmete Centre to be interviewed by the Chartermark assessor...

The School Improvement Support team are going for Chartermark along side everyone else across the company and it was their turn to go through the assessment process which is rigorous and challenging against the 64 criteria of the award. The team have done a brilliant job at Elmete supporting the teams who are based there but also making a unique and special contribution to their community and to the wider city.
Chris

The reason I couldn't make the Leadership event was that I wanted to be at the launch of our new approach to tackling bullying....

Young people tell us that the biggest issue for them is not feeling safe and 'The Power of Me' is our response. The initiative was launched at the Headingley Experience with an invited audience of children and young people from schools who have helped us develop our new approach. The campaign has been developed with young people from 22 schools across the city and is a whole city approach to help us build resilience in our young people, to tackle cyber-bullying and to stamp out bullying wherever it happens.

The elements of the new approach are:

• peer support teams trained by Childline as first point of contact for anyone who has been bullied or feels unsafe;
• Leeds Rugby Foundation providing positive breaktime activities;
• Anti-bullying Alliance training for staff;
• Restorative Justice training involving the West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council's Youth Offending Team;
• 'Mission Transition' a musical production to support transition to secondary school.

'The Power of Me' is sponsored by First Direct Bank and provides help and advice to anyone who is experiencing bullying or dealing with it in schools. Bus adverts are helping to raise the profile of the scheme which is supported by posters, postcards and stickers.

The launch was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and learn. If you want to find out more about this brilliant scheme contact my colleague Hilary Farmery on hilary.farmery@educationleeds.co.uk.

Chris

I started the day yesterday at the Leeds Town Hall...

I was there very briefly to apologise for not being able to attend the Children's Services Leadership event.
Chris