It has been a funny week; schools back at work, fantastic new buildings being handed over and a quick trip to Germany and back...
My trip to Gutersloh made me realise once again, as I escaped from the intensity of being in Leeds, what a fantastic and very special organisation Education Leeds is. The accolades, the praise and the recognition we received from colleagues at the Bertelsmann Foundation for our work on 'Integration through Education: Fairness for All' and the feedback after the seminar where I talked about Education Leeds and its mission was humbling in so many ways.
To be nominated and taken forward as one of four examples of brilliant practice from across the world, four examples out of sixty nominations, is hard to take in but they also understood the critical importance and uniqueness of our culture, our leadership, our attitudes, our values and our people; all of which, they recognised, shape and drive every aspect of our work here in this wonderful city.
The Bertelsmann Foundation is, like Education Leeds, a unique and very special organisation: one from which we can learn and one with which we can share ideas and approaches. They share our search for what makes brilliant, our passion for equity and fairness, our commitment to music and the arts, our belief in our children and young people and like us they want to change the world to make it a better place for children, families and communities. They understand the need to listen and learn, to research and reflect, to influence and understand and most importantly to strive, to act and to get things done. They understand that actions speak louder than words, that blood, sweat and tears change the world and that it is not the critic who counts but the actor on the stage.
Peter and I were fired up by our visit and by what we learned. I keep thinking of the Calvin Coolidge quote..."Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." After a year where we have seen real success and achieved great things our slogan must be 'press on'. We have still got a lot to do to change the world for the children, families and communities we serve but reassuringly we are not alone and the solutions are out there in Toronto, Malmo, Zurich and at the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Keep the faith.
Chris
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Saturday, 6 September 2008
We have a new member of the family at home...
He's called Eugene and he's a hamster. He spends much of his time in his wheel and like me he works so hard and expends so much energy only to find that things haven't moved on and he is more or less where he started from. Still he manages to sleep a lot and everyday he goes for it regardless of the setbacks and the problems.
So what have I learnt from Eugene... whatever the setbacks he's not stressed, he's not downhearted, he keeps trying to get there, he never gives up and he ensures that his work-life balance remains in balance!
Chris
He's called Eugene and he's a hamster. He spends much of his time in his wheel and like me he works so hard and expends so much energy only to find that things haven't moved on and he is more or less where he started from. Still he manages to sleep a lot and everyday he goes for it regardless of the setbacks and the problems.
So what have I learnt from Eugene... whatever the setbacks he's not stressed, he's not downhearted, he keeps trying to get there, he never gives up and he ensures that his work-life balance remains in balance!
Chris
Peter and I got back from Gutersloh in Germany late on Thursday evening after an amazing couple of days with the Bertlesmann Foundation...
The Bertlesmann Foundation is, an amazing organisation, working, against a background of increasing social diversity, demographic change and increasing globalisation, to develop community engagement, social cohesion and to release potential. They share our belief that our children are the future and that we all must work to develop their potential and encourage and support them in playing a active role in society. They also see the need to focus on young people being happy, healthy, safe as well as successful, the power of music and the arts and the need to listen to young people.
This year the focus was to identify examples from across the world of integration and participation and particularly to find examples which reach and support children and young people from disadvantaged communities: our work with gypsy, roma and travellers, migrants and assylum seekers and black and minority ethnic communities meant that we can been selected as one of 60 nominees from 21 countries across the world. This had been slimmed down through a detailed evaluation and monitoring process to four finalists... Leeds, Malmo, Toronto and Zurich. The prize was won by the Toronto District School Board for their wonderful work on 'Integration through Education: Fairness for All'.
As part of this year's competition the Bertelsmann Foundation has developed a programme called 'All Kids are VIPs' and you can find our more about this and the Foundation by visiting www.allekidssindvips.de or www.bertlesmann-stiftung.de.
Peter and I had a fantastic time in Germany with colleagues from Toronto, Malmo and Zurich supported by brilliant team from the Bertlesmann Foundation. We learnt so much and while politician and professionals argue that change takes time and talk about it taking ten years, the seminar showed that the real issue is about attitudes, values and beliefs. My belief, as you know, is that change actually takes commitment, passion and hard work and that we can actually change the world right now... let's start on Monday!
Chris
The Bertlesmann Foundation is, an amazing organisation, working, against a background of increasing social diversity, demographic change and increasing globalisation, to develop community engagement, social cohesion and to release potential. They share our belief that our children are the future and that we all must work to develop their potential and encourage and support them in playing a active role in society. They also see the need to focus on young people being happy, healthy, safe as well as successful, the power of music and the arts and the need to listen to young people.
This year the focus was to identify examples from across the world of integration and participation and particularly to find examples which reach and support children and young people from disadvantaged communities: our work with gypsy, roma and travellers, migrants and assylum seekers and black and minority ethnic communities meant that we can been selected as one of 60 nominees from 21 countries across the world. This had been slimmed down through a detailed evaluation and monitoring process to four finalists... Leeds, Malmo, Toronto and Zurich. The prize was won by the Toronto District School Board for their wonderful work on 'Integration through Education: Fairness for All'.
As part of this year's competition the Bertelsmann Foundation has developed a programme called 'All Kids are VIPs' and you can find our more about this and the Foundation by visiting www.allekidssindvips.de or www.bertlesmann-stiftung.de.
Peter and I had a fantastic time in Germany with colleagues from Toronto, Malmo and Zurich supported by brilliant team from the Bertlesmann Foundation. We learnt so much and while politician and professionals argue that change takes time and talk about it taking ten years, the seminar showed that the real issue is about attitudes, values and beliefs. My belief, as you know, is that change actually takes commitment, passion and hard work and that we can actually change the world right now... let's start on Monday!
Chris
Friday, 5 September 2008
My colleague Peter Saunders, who heads up the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Achievement Service, and I have just got back from Germany...
And while we didn't win the Carl Bertelsmann Prize 2008 it was the most fantastic experience to be one of the four nominees for this prestigious and amazing award and to simply be part of the Symposium and Award Ceremony. The Toronto District School Board won the Prize for their incredible work on 'Integration through Education: Fairness for All' so we'll be sending an expedition to Toronto to learn.
I am very tired so I'll write more about this wonderful experience later.
Chris
I am very tired so I'll write more about this wonderful experience later.
Chris
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
We had three new Building Schools for the Future PFI buildings handed over and from everything I have heard they are simply brilliant learning places...
My colleague Heather Scott, Deputy Headteacher at Allerton High School sent me these pictures of her fabulous new school.The other two new schools are at Pudsey Grangefield and Rodillian and they are apparently equally stunning!
We are transforming the learning landscape here in Leeds and the future is certainly bright!
Chris
Monday, 1 September 2008
Looking back over the last year, our seventh year here in Leeds, we have had another great year with some extraordinary successes...
Remember, the CPA and JAR reported that children's services in Leeds was good, we were one of the first teams in the country to achieve the new Customer Service Excellence standard, our intergenerational work on 'Building Bridges' with Social Care won an international award, our innovative Artforms 'Find Your Talent' project was one of ten selected nationally to be developed, colleagues developed and delivered the first national Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month and Poster Competition, colleagues in Study Support developed the 'Backstage Past' initiative which won a regional 'Making a Difference' award, the VI Team were the first team in the country to receive the new VI Quality Mark, we were nominated for the international Carl Bertlesmann Prize for our work supporting assylum seekers, refugees, travellers and minority groups, we won the BETT Award for Leadership and Management Solutions for 'Bluewave Swift', we have also seen brilliant intitiatives and projects like 'Be Healthy, Stay Safe', Attendance Champions, 'The Power of Me' and STEPS going from strength to strength. OFSTED inspection results generally have been good, particularly around our behavioural provision, and the GCSE results have improved significantly...what more can you want?
At it's brilliant best provision and services here in Leeds are outstanding; are simply world class. However, when it comes to some of the most important things we need to constantly ask ourselves whether we have really changed the deeply embedded culture and attitudes which seem to simply accept things as they are, and why we still suffer from pockets of poor attendance, poor behaviour and poor standards. Just imagine what we could achieve together if everyone believed in our young people and everyone was as passionate, as committed and determined, as prepared to go the extra mile and as focused and as excellent as the most inspiring and exceptional colleagues in Education Leeds and in our schools.
I know that I say this every year but these next few months are critical for Education Leeds and Children Services as we approach the a new set of opportunities and challenges with more DCSF initiatives, even more focus on standards from the National Strategies, the Post 14 Review, the National Challenge and more Academies rolling across the learning landscape. We need to use this opportunity to refresh and rethink, to renew the vision, to recharge the batteries and to boldly go into 2009 to change the world and release the enormous potential in our teams, our schools, our colleagues and our children and young people.
As another academic year begins, we need extraordinary colleagues to bravely and boldly go where we’ve never been and we need an extraordinary back up team to provide support as and when they need it. Whenever someone does something extraordinary, it shows us all what is possible… you just have to look at what we have achieved as a team over the last year! We must continue to challenge each other; to clearly articulate our goals and our roles and make belonging to Children's Services, Education Leeds and the learning team here in Leeds a vibrant, exciting and dynamic part of our lives. I’ll try to get to as many team meetings and talk to as many of you as I can to listen to your views and to get your advice, help and support for the next stage in our journey to excellence, our journey to world class.
Just don’t let anyone tell you that it can’t be done!
Chris
Remember, the CPA and JAR reported that children's services in Leeds was good, we were one of the first teams in the country to achieve the new Customer Service Excellence standard, our intergenerational work on 'Building Bridges' with Social Care won an international award, our innovative Artforms 'Find Your Talent' project was one of ten selected nationally to be developed, colleagues developed and delivered the first national Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month and Poster Competition, colleagues in Study Support developed the 'Backstage Past' initiative which won a regional 'Making a Difference' award, the VI Team were the first team in the country to receive the new VI Quality Mark, we were nominated for the international Carl Bertlesmann Prize for our work supporting assylum seekers, refugees, travellers and minority groups, we won the BETT Award for Leadership and Management Solutions for 'Bluewave Swift', we have also seen brilliant intitiatives and projects like 'Be Healthy, Stay Safe', Attendance Champions, 'The Power of Me' and STEPS going from strength to strength. OFSTED inspection results generally have been good, particularly around our behavioural provision, and the GCSE results have improved significantly...what more can you want?
At it's brilliant best provision and services here in Leeds are outstanding; are simply world class. However, when it comes to some of the most important things we need to constantly ask ourselves whether we have really changed the deeply embedded culture and attitudes which seem to simply accept things as they are, and why we still suffer from pockets of poor attendance, poor behaviour and poor standards. Just imagine what we could achieve together if everyone believed in our young people and everyone was as passionate, as committed and determined, as prepared to go the extra mile and as focused and as excellent as the most inspiring and exceptional colleagues in Education Leeds and in our schools.
I know that I say this every year but these next few months are critical for Education Leeds and Children Services as we approach the a new set of opportunities and challenges with more DCSF initiatives, even more focus on standards from the National Strategies, the Post 14 Review, the National Challenge and more Academies rolling across the learning landscape. We need to use this opportunity to refresh and rethink, to renew the vision, to recharge the batteries and to boldly go into 2009 to change the world and release the enormous potential in our teams, our schools, our colleagues and our children and young people.
As another academic year begins, we need extraordinary colleagues to bravely and boldly go where we’ve never been and we need an extraordinary back up team to provide support as and when they need it. Whenever someone does something extraordinary, it shows us all what is possible… you just have to look at what we have achieved as a team over the last year! We must continue to challenge each other; to clearly articulate our goals and our roles and make belonging to Children's Services, Education Leeds and the learning team here in Leeds a vibrant, exciting and dynamic part of our lives. I’ll try to get to as many team meetings and talk to as many of you as I can to listen to your views and to get your advice, help and support for the next stage in our journey to excellence, our journey to world class.
Just don’t let anyone tell you that it can’t be done!
Chris
Sunday, 31 August 2008
We have had another great year and whatever happens this year, it will be another interesting one...
We will face new challenges, new opportunities and new demands in a year where we need to continue to be unique, special and different, to be creative and imaginative, to try new things, to learn new tricks and to continue to make a real difference… whatever it takes!
We must continue to develop respect and trust with our colleagues, with our schools and with the communities we serve. We must expect great things of each other; to embrace change and to celebrate the opportunities it brings. We all know that change is hard but it allows us all the chance to reflect, to review and to focus. It allows us the opportunity to spring clean and to ensure that we continue to do the right things.
Finally, it is also really important that we continue to be passionate and enthusiastic and to have fun and enjoy ourselves. And remember to never take yourself or anyone else too seriously and never forget that you choose everyday to be part of this team because you share its values, its beliefs and its mission here in Leeds... to make every school a good, improving and inclusive school where very child and every young person is happy, healthy, safe and successful... whatever it takes!
All I ask is that you come to work nd simply be your brilliant best!
Chris
We will face new challenges, new opportunities and new demands in a year where we need to continue to be unique, special and different, to be creative and imaginative, to try new things, to learn new tricks and to continue to make a real difference… whatever it takes!
We must continue to develop respect and trust with our colleagues, with our schools and with the communities we serve. We must expect great things of each other; to embrace change and to celebrate the opportunities it brings. We all know that change is hard but it allows us all the chance to reflect, to review and to focus. It allows us the opportunity to spring clean and to ensure that we continue to do the right things.
Finally, it is also really important that we continue to be passionate and enthusiastic and to have fun and enjoy ourselves. And remember to never take yourself or anyone else too seriously and never forget that you choose everyday to be part of this team because you share its values, its beliefs and its mission here in Leeds... to make every school a good, improving and inclusive school where very child and every young person is happy, healthy, safe and successful... whatever it takes!
All I ask is that you come to work nd simply be your brilliant best!
Chris
Friday, 29 August 2008
Dave Page, Deputy Chief Executive of Leeds City Council and a Director of Education Leeds from the beginning sent me this e-mail after he heard about the latest GCSE results...
"Chris, I did a bit of an analysis on the results myself yesterday and they are really impressive. When you recall that the pre EL 5A to C figure was 39% these figures are an improvement of 61% which is really remarkable . Am I right in thinking that these are the results of children who were 9 years old when EL started-it will be interesting in 2012 to see what the cohort who started school at the same time as EL achieve in that year. I think you've used most of the superlatives up but sincere thanks for all your efforts and those of the team for such a great achievement. Well done again. Dave"
"Chris, I did a bit of an analysis on the results myself yesterday and they are really impressive. When you recall that the pre EL 5A to C figure was 39% these figures are an improvement of 61% which is really remarkable . Am I right in thinking that these are the results of children who were 9 years old when EL started-it will be interesting in 2012 to see what the cohort who started school at the same time as EL achieve in that year. I think you've used most of the superlatives up but sincere thanks for all your efforts and those of the team for such a great achievement. Well done again. Dave"
Dave is right; 2012 is going to be a big year in so many ways.
Chris
My colleague Simon Flowers, headteacher at Carr Manor High School sent me a gentle reminder...
"Dear Chris, I trust you are well and have managed a decent break over the summer period.
The GCSE results across Leeds look to have moved significantly in the right direction – hopefully this will help all of us in our promotion of the city and encourage the DCSF to believe in us a little more. I am somewhat disappointed that we have been named in your blog as one of the schools below 30% - in statistical terms 29.7 rounds up to 30%. We are very pleased with the pupils’ performance – ahead of target and another step in the right direction. Credit is due to the pupils and staff for their outstanding work again this year. Hope to catch up soon. Best wishes Simon"
"Dear Chris, I trust you are well and have managed a decent break over the summer period.
The GCSE results across Leeds look to have moved significantly in the right direction – hopefully this will help all of us in our promotion of the city and encourage the DCSF to believe in us a little more. I am somewhat disappointed that we have been named in your blog as one of the schools below 30% - in statistical terms 29.7 rounds up to 30%. We are very pleased with the pupils’ performance – ahead of target and another step in the right direction. Credit is due to the pupils and staff for their outstanding work again this year. Hope to catch up soon. Best wishes Simon"
Simon is right, of course, Carr Manor High School is another one of our success stories and has made real progress under his inspired leadership; with a great team, in a brilliant building. I also agree that 29.7% rounds up to 30%. We also know that West Leeds and Wortley High Schools are merging and the composite score for the two schools already exceeds the target.
This means that we only have five secondary schools below the Government's new 2011 target of 30% achieving 5A*-C grades at GCSE including English and Mathematics.
- Intake (19.9)
- Parklands (19.0)
- Primrose (18.7)
- South Leeds (10.4)
- City of Leeds, although we do not have the figure, their 5+A*-C is 29.7, so they cannot get above 30%.
Chris
Friday, 22 August 2008
Our Key Stage 4 performance has increased yet again, particularly the percentage of young people achieving 5 A* - C grades which increased by nearly 6% and those achieving 1A*-G grade which increased by over 1%...
There were some brilliant results at Garforth, St Mary's, Horsforth and Morley High with extraordinary improvements at Lawnswood, John Smeaton, Morley High, West Leeds, Brigshaw, Bruntcliffe and Rodillian and real improvements across most of our secondary provision. This year was a real team effort!
Of the 14 schools below Government's new 2011 floor target of 30% achieving 5A*-C including English & mathematics, only 7 schools remain.
There were some brilliant results at Garforth, St Mary's, Horsforth and Morley High with extraordinary improvements at Lawnswood, John Smeaton, Morley High, West Leeds, Brigshaw, Bruntcliffe and Rodillian and real improvements across most of our secondary provision. This year was a real team effort!
Of the 14 schools below Government's new 2011 floor target of 30% achieving 5A*-C including English & mathematics, only 7 schools remain.
- Carr Manor (29.7)
- Intake (19.9)
- Parklands (19.0)
- Primrose (18.7)
- South Leeds (10.4)
- Wortley (25)
- City of Leeds, although we do not have the figure, their 5+A*-C is 29.7, so they cannot get above 30%.
The provisional GCSE results show that the % achieving 5A*-C grades has increased by over 5.9% to 62.9%, the % achieving 5A*-C including English and mathematics has increased by 4.2% to 47.7% and those achieving at least something has gone up to 97.8% an increase of about 1.1%.
Over the last seven wonderful years here in Leeds so many people said that it couldn't be done; that we couldn't achieve great results, that our young people weren't able to rise to the challenge. These results, once again, prove the sceptics wrong and shows what can be achieved with dynamic leadership, relevant curriculum pathways and an engaging offer, great teaching, powerful student tracking, detailed monitoring and support and strong systems of positive discipline and rewards. We send our congratulations to all those brilliant, talented, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues who have made this possible and achieved this fantastic team effort and some remarkable outcomes for young people across Leeds.
There are no excuses; the challenge for us all is to continue to learn from the best. Here in Leeds at John Smeaton, David Young, Garforth, Horsforth, Morley High, St Mary's and wherever else it is. We then need to build these characteristics consistently and powerfully across all our provision to ensure that we drive transformational change and continue to achieve the step change in outcomes necessary to secure the economic and social well-being of individuals, families and the City of Leeds.
Their is no magic ingredient just blood, sweat, tears and sheer hard work but on a day like today you know that it is worth it!
Chris
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