I have just had a really good meeting with two of my secondary headteacher colleagues...

I am always inspired by listening to other people's ideas and suggestions about how we tackle some of the endemic problems we face here in Leeds and in most of the big cities... too many young people leaving education with no qualifications or skills, some chronic underachievement amongst disadvantaged groups, groups of young people disengaged from learning and a fundamental skills shortage in areas desperately needed by local employers.

I spent a really useful hour with Ken Cornforth, Headteacher at Pudsey Grangefield School, and Bob Stott, Headteacher at Wetherby High School, talking about the 14 - 19 Review we are currently working on with the Learning and Skills Council. Interestingly, the areas we talked about most were around learner entitlement, leadership, coaching and guidance.

The most important thing was the feeling that we can do this. We know what we need to do. We can build brilliant learning places where young people will achieve world class outcomes.
Chris