I also received this e-mail today from Diane Law the Youth Work Manager at BARCA-Leeds...

"Hi All, Just to let you know BARCA-Leeds has won a place on the ‘People’s Millions’ final list of projects going to the public vote in the Yorkshire & Humberside region. We will be featured on ITV regional news on the 29th November against The Yorkshire Waterways Museum. We now have a 5 in 8 chance of being successful. This Funding will enable us to develop our information advice and guidance services for young people across West Leeds. The project with the most telephone vote is awarded the funding. The ITV regional company will be contacting us shortly to make a short film about the project.

So please put the 29th November in your diaries, your family and friends diaries and please watch & cast your vote on the day, by phone or text. The Telephone numbers will only be revealed that day. Let all your networks know. More Information will follow shortly….with a campaign for the public’s votes. Any assistance in raising the project in the media etc to get the public vote would be more than welcome. Please don’t let us down!!!!!!!! Diane."

I hope that everyone will help Diane and her colleagues secure the funding for this project.

Chris

After the event at the Royal Armouries I received this e-mail from Geoff Roberts a governor at the NW SILC...

"Hi Chris – I picked up your blog about the event at the Armouries. I was there too and want to congratulate the team on an excellent piece of engagement.

The day was thought provoking and challenging and I took a lot away to think about. We need to move this engagement process much closer to the ground - visits to governing bodies, school councils, staff meetings, etc because early and extensive involvement is the key to effective implementation – it needs to be part of the development process not merely implementation. And don't let this become an excuse for procrastination and delay - we need to move quickly to establish the vision and act on those parts that we can act upon asap. It's only when we take action that anything really changes and we are able to find out what the real obstacles are.

I am increasingly convinced that the SILCs have a future role as a centre of excellence seeking out, developing and pushing out best practice whilst also being a host site for the small number of most disadvantaged pupils requiring very special support. This will require a change of mindset within some governors, teachers and parents and may also require a new look at funding as the reality is that we can barely afford to do any of this at present.

Good luck with the journey and I will do all I can to help. Geoff Roberts

PS Hope the migraine has gone away by now."

I am grateful to Geoff for the feedback and the offer of support. This is a vitally important agenda and only a shame that more headteachers and more schools weren't represented at what was a great and really significant day.
Chris

I went to the celebration of the achievements of some of our looked after children this evening and it was brilliant...

Til Wright and her team had organised something really special and we must certainly do it again next year and make it bigger and even better. The carers are an amazing bunch and they were so proud of their fantastic children!
Chris

Another day another migraine...

There has been a lot on the news today about a new research report by the World Cancer Research Fund...

If you read the report or visit their website you find the following recommendations for cancer prevention:
1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity to help keep your risk lower.
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. Any type of activity counts – the more you do the better! Try to build some into your everyday life.
3. Avoid sugary drinks and limit consumption of energy-dense foods particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fibre, or high in fat. Try to eat lower energy-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits and wholegrains instead. Opt for water or unsweetened tea or coffee in place of sugary drinks.
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and pulses such as beans. As well as eating your 5 A DAY, try to include wholegrains (e.g. brown rice, wholemeal bread and pasta) and/or pulses with every meal.
5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats. Aim to limit intake of red meat to less than 500g cooked weight (about 700-750g raw weight) a week. Try to avoid processed meats such as bacon, ham, salami, corned beef and some sausages.
6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation.
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and food processed with salt. Remember that processed foods, including bread and breakfast cereals, can contain large amounts of salt.
8. Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer. Opt for a balanced diet without supplements.

This contains some really important messages for how we educate our children and young people. If you want to find out more you can visit the World Cancer Research Fund website at http://www.wcrf-uk.org
Chris

I went to see the Ballet Rambert Dance Company this evening at the Grand Theatre and Opera House...

They were really good and the third piece featuring the male dancers was brilliant. I am always amazed at the discipline, strength and precision that good dancers display and again this evening you wonder how much coaching and practice it takes to perform so well.
Chris

I started the day at the Royal Armouries for the second launch event for the Leeds Inclusive Learning Strategy with colleagues from Children's Services, Education Leeds, the SILCs and the PRUs, parents and carers and partners...

This is a hugely important agenda and a key piece of the jigsaw puzzle we are putting together around our children, our young people and their families. Again it isn't rocket science and while I am constantly told that we can't have a focus on standards and inclusion they are simply the same thing.

The really great thing about today was the contribution by a young woman who had been a student at Shakespeare Primary School and was now at Roundhay High School. Her story was fantastic and proved that when we have passionate advocates and people who will fight for us to get the help we all need, at different times in our lives, we can all be successful. This young woman was an inspiration to everyone at the Royal Armouries.
Chris

I should have known it was coming. I should have known why I was feeling strange...

I have suffered from migraine since I was small and even though I am now on an amazing drug called Imigran sometimes I simply can't escape. It happens about twice a year and however hard I try eventually it gets me and yesterday was one of those days. It hit me like a train and I have been through hell for the last twenty four hours. I had been taking the tablets for about a week trying desperately to get over it but no way was it goingto let me off the hook.

I am sorry to those people I let down yesterday but I know that the world will have gone on without me and that my colleagues will have done a brilliant job covering my diary. Please keep the noise down and the lights low for the rest of the week!
Chris

I went on to South Leeds High School to talk to the staff about the Transformation of Secondary and Post-16 Learning, the associated Academies in Leeds Strategy and the role of the Leeds Learning Alliance...

The school has made a great start to the year and the atmosphere, commitment and energy were very obvious as I spoke to these colleagues who are working in one of the most complex and challenging contexts in Leeds. They are really focused on ensuring that the OFSTED visit later this term is a success and that it recognises the real progress the school has made over the Summer. Colin Bell has certainly built a strong and determined team who are up for the challenge.
Chris

I started the day at the Ramada Jarvis Parkway Hotel for the launch of the Leeds Inclusive Learning Strategy with colleagues from Education Leeds, the SILCs and the PRUs...

This is another hugely important agenda and a key piece of the jigsaw puzzle we are putting together around our children, our young people and their families. Again it isn't rocket science and while I am constantly told that we can't have a focus on standards and inclusion they are simply the same thing.
Chris