I was back at Low Road Primary School today...

Low Road Primary School was opened by Neil Kinnock, then Leader of the Opposition, on 20th January 1984 and the school is now 25 years old. I was there with Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, and Cllr Geoff Driver, who was at the opening in 1984, for an assembly to celebrate their 25th birthday! The assembly was a clebration of the work these wonderful children had been doing looking at the history of the school, how it had changed over 25 years and how it might change in the next 25 years. They also had a fantastic birthday cake with 25 candles and everyone was going to take a piece home.

It was great to be there with Sally Sumpner and her team who have worked some incredible magic at Low Road Primary School for some fantastic children.
Chris

I moved on to Low Road Primary School which is 25 years old...

Low Road is part of a Federation with Windmill Primary School and Sally Sumpner, headteacher and Mike Tilling, Chair of governors, have created something incredibly powerful and highly effective.
Chris

I visited Harehills Primary School again today to see Margaret Broughton who has recently been appointed to the headship after a period as consultant headteacher...

It was great to visit the school and talk to Margaret and some of her colleagues. I also talked to some of Margaret's wonderful children who were simply incredible and the most amazing ambassadors for the school. We also managed a quick walk around the school to see some of Margaret's colleagues and more of her great children. It was deeply reassuring to see the emphasis on tracking, data and standards set within a rich and exciting curriculum offer that included the arts, sports and mad science!

This is a school that is certainly releasing a very special magic.
Chris

I moved on to another staff induction session at the Derek Fatchett CLC...

It was wonderful to be able to spend some time with this great group of new colleagues from across the company.
Chris

I started the day early at Carr Manor High School...

I arrived having travelled through a snow storm to find business as usual with their great team out on duty shepherding in the students. It is reassuring to see the transformation that is happening at Carr Manor and to talk to Simon about the incredible work they are doing to drive up standards and extend and enrich the offer we make to these young people. The 21st Century Schools consultation document reinforces the importance of this work on different models of leadership and governance, extended services, partnership working, family support, learning campuses and learning communities. It was a great start to yet another snowy day.
Chris

I have just seen the latest weather forecast and it looks like we are in for more snow tomorrow...

It will be interesting to see how bad the weather is tomorrow and how many schools are once again forced to close. It certainly has been a very challenging week for headteacher colleagues who will once again have to make a difficult call first thing in the morning.
Chris

I went on to West Park to attend Headteacher Forum...

I haven't been able to attend the Forum recently so it was great to be able to spend time with this wonderful group of colleagues looking at some of the big issues we are facing. The feedback session raised the following issues:

• School closures for snow and ice;
• Secondary provision in East and North East Leeds;
• The National Challenge;
• New headteacher roles and responsibilities;
• Safer Schools Partnership.

The agenda also covered the harnessing technology grant, the inclusive learning strategy, secondary standards, primary standards.
Chris

I met with two young students today...

Jessica interviewed me for her dissertation on the creative curriculum and Kim did a radio interview on healthy eating in schools. It was great to talk to these talented young people about the work we are doing here in Leeds.
Chris

I visited another great little primary school first thing this morning...

I arrived early at Lady Elizabeth Hastings Church of England Primary School in Ledston to see Amanda Leathley, the new headteacher, who took over as headteacher last September. She is clearly doing a really good job and releasing a very special magic with her new deputy. Amanda has great plans for this little school and it was wonderful to be able to visit after two days of snow and ice.
Chris

I received this e-mail from my colleague Mike Woods, Headteacher at Corpus Christi Catholic College...

"Hi Chris, Just a bit of positive feedback despite the severe weather. We had our dress rehearsal for Bugsy Malone on Monday 10am with an invited audience from our local Primary Schools. All the cast of 47 made it, as did our Primary Schools; two of whom (St Theresa's and Our Lady's had to bus pupils in). All went great. School too functioned well although we had to close early and cancel the first night's perfomance. On Tuesday we had nearly 550 pupils in and ran a full curriculum and the new first night of Bugsy Malone played to a full house. I never cease to be amazed at the dedication of teachers and support staff. They worked brilliantly throught the severe weather and take Bugsy Malone for instance, there was a production team of 49 plus Thomas Danby Students doing a fantastic job with hair and our PTFA. Curriculum disruption was an absolute minimum (only the Monday first performance with Primary Schools). Everything being done X-curricular including the last two Sundays! So great things are happening on your patch. Best wishes, Mike."

It's great to hear about some of the amazing things colleagues are doing across Leeds despite the weather!

Chris