And finally, I attended the Hunslet Hawks Learning Centre 'Playing for Success Celebration Evening' at the John Charles Centre for Sport...
It was a fantastic evening celebrating children from Beeston St Anthony's, Hunslet St Phillip's, Hunslet St Mary's, Hunslet Moor, Hugh Gaitskell and Thorpe Primary Schools and Cockburn College of Arts, Royd's School, South Leeds High School and Morley High School.
The Parkside Suite was packed with young people and their parents, carers and teachers. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Harry the Hawk and three of the Hunslet Hawks rugby team were there to celebrate the achievements of some incredible young people.
Everyone involved with this wonderful centre is making a real difference in this very special piece of Leeds.
Chris
Monday, 30 March 2009
I spent lunchtime with headteacher colleagues from the Outer North West...
It was great to be able to talk about the brilliant schools in the North West. The partnership working that has been established over the last few years has developed more extensive post-16 pathways and provision. The work on post -14 pathways is also developing alongside the extended-services offer. We also agreed that we need to look together at the potential of any Building Schools for the Future funding to build or remodel our brilliant learning places and continue to drive up standards and outcomes in this very special bit of Leeds.
Chris
It was great to be able to talk about the brilliant schools in the North West. The partnership working that has been established over the last few years has developed more extensive post-16 pathways and provision. The work on post -14 pathways is also developing alongside the extended-services offer. We also agreed that we need to look together at the potential of any Building Schools for the Future funding to build or remodel our brilliant learning places and continue to drive up standards and outcomes in this very special bit of Leeds.
Chris
I started the day at the Primary Link Teachers (PE) Conference at the Ghandi Hall at Leeds Metropolitan University...
The Department of Health's 'Health Profile of England 2008' provides a snapshot of health and well-being and contains loads of good news:
Clearly, the message seems to be that we should all focus our energy and efforts on addressing the following issues;
My colleague Max Amesbury talked to the group about the 'Spirit Alive' project he has been managing for us. The initiative started with four schools in 2007, involved 30 schools in 2008 and we hope will involve at least 100 schools this year. Our aim is for every school in Leeds to be involved in organising their own mini-olympic games in 2012.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently published guidance on Promoting Physical Activity for Children and Young People. The recommendations are that children and young people should undertake a range of moderate to vigorous-intensity activities for at least 60 minutes every day with at least two sessions a week of activities that improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility. This amount of physical activity can be achieved in a number of short, ten-minute 'Wake-Up and Shake Up' style sessions.
This is such an important aspect of our work here in Leeds and I hope that today has provided colleagues with a pool of great ideas to help us achieve this ambitious target for our children and young people.
Chris
The Department of Health's 'Health Profile of England 2008' provides a snapshot of health and well-being and contains loads of good news:
- the proportion of schoolchildren drinking has fallen;
- the proportion of schoolchildren smoking has fallen;
- the proportion of schoolchildren using drugs has fallen;
- the proportion of schoolchildren engaging in physical activity has risen;
- the proportion of schoolchildren eating five portions of fruit and vegetable everyday has risen.
- child and adult obesity has increased alarmingly;
- cases of diabetes have increased alarmingly.
Clearly, the message seems to be that we should all focus our energy and efforts on addressing the following issues;
- encouraging healthy lifestyles;
- tackling obesity through better diet and increased activity.
My colleague Max Amesbury talked to the group about the 'Spirit Alive' project he has been managing for us. The initiative started with four schools in 2007, involved 30 schools in 2008 and we hope will involve at least 100 schools this year. Our aim is for every school in Leeds to be involved in organising their own mini-olympic games in 2012.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently published guidance on Promoting Physical Activity for Children and Young People. The recommendations are that children and young people should undertake a range of moderate to vigorous-intensity activities for at least 60 minutes every day with at least two sessions a week of activities that improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility. This amount of physical activity can be achieved in a number of short, ten-minute 'Wake-Up and Shake Up' style sessions.
This is such an important aspect of our work here in Leeds and I hope that today has provided colleagues with a pool of great ideas to help us achieve this ambitious target for our children and young people.
Chris
I was sent details of the Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship...
Travel to make a difference in 2010
The areas covered by these fellowship grants are:
1. Adventure, Exploration & Leaders of Expeditions
2. Business & Finance
3. Education & Vocational Training
4. Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
5. Support for Children
Including the involvement of local authorities and the
voluntary sector, parenting and early intervention issues,
and alternatives to custody for young offenders.
6. Science, Engineering & Enterprise
7. The Arts & Older People
Those involved in, and providing opportunities for, older
people in all aspects of music, dance, drama, and fine arts.
8. The Churchill Connection
Open for anyone with a project related to Sir Winston’s
varied interests, including politics, history, world affairs,
writing, journalism, painting and bricklaying.
9. Treatment & Rehabilitation of Chronic Conditions
Applications are invited from all related interests.
10. Young People
Those aged 18–25 with a worthwhile project to benefit the UK community,
and their personal development.
Application schedule and important information for applicants
Closing date for all completed application forms is 6 October 2009
The Trust does not expect applicants to have planned their projects in detail at the time of application. However, the aim and outline of the project, and the benefits to the community and the UK must be clear.
All applicants will be informed by this date whether or not they have been short listed for interview by 23 November 2009 Short listed applicants will be invited to elaborate on their original plan and references will be taken.
The short listed applicants will be interviewed in January 2010
Fellowship Awards will be announced in February 2010
Fellows start their travels from April 2010 onwards which should be completed by April 2011.
Financial Support
Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover all relevant Fellowship expenses. This includes return travel, daily living and travel within the countries being visited. In 2009, the Trust awarded grants in excess of £500,000, averaging £5,500. Grants usually cover a stay overseas of between 4–8 weeks (minimum of 4 weeks) but can be longer, and you will also be appropriately insured.
Is anyone out there up for it!
Chris
Travel to make a difference in 2010
The areas covered by these fellowship grants are:
1. Adventure, Exploration & Leaders of Expeditions
2. Business & Finance
3. Education & Vocational Training
4. Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
5. Support for Children
Including the involvement of local authorities and the
voluntary sector, parenting and early intervention issues,
and alternatives to custody for young offenders.
6. Science, Engineering & Enterprise
7. The Arts & Older People
Those involved in, and providing opportunities for, older
people in all aspects of music, dance, drama, and fine arts.
8. The Churchill Connection
Open for anyone with a project related to Sir Winston’s
varied interests, including politics, history, world affairs,
writing, journalism, painting and bricklaying.
9. Treatment & Rehabilitation of Chronic Conditions
Applications are invited from all related interests.
10. Young People
Those aged 18–25 with a worthwhile project to benefit the UK community,
and their personal development.
Application schedule and important information for applicants
Closing date for all completed application forms is 6 October 2009
The Trust does not expect applicants to have planned their projects in detail at the time of application. However, the aim and outline of the project, and the benefits to the community and the UK must be clear.
All applicants will be informed by this date whether or not they have been short listed for interview by 23 November 2009 Short listed applicants will be invited to elaborate on their original plan and references will be taken.
The short listed applicants will be interviewed in January 2010
Fellowship Awards will be announced in February 2010
Fellows start their travels from April 2010 onwards which should be completed by April 2011.
Financial Support
Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover all relevant Fellowship expenses. This includes return travel, daily living and travel within the countries being visited. In 2009, the Trust awarded grants in excess of £500,000, averaging £5,500. Grants usually cover a stay overseas of between 4–8 weeks (minimum of 4 weeks) but can be longer, and you will also be appropriately insured.
Is anyone out there up for it!
Chris
My colleague Pete Thurlow sent me this article from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Beeston section on Saturday....
"IT WAS a heartwarming ceremony which helped secure a bright future for Leeds's famous cosmopolitan culture. And the event, at South Leeds Learning Centre, Beeston, marked the determination of 42 children to embrace the language and way of life in their adopted city.All the young people have made great strides in their efforts to speak, read, write and understand English since arriving from their native nations.They are taking part in the English as an Additional Language scheme, the Education Leeds course which offers new arrivals a helping hand to find their feet in a foreign land.As the number of countries from which immigrants travel to Britain has grown, so has the debate over the need for people settling here to learn English.To congratulate the pupils, tutors laid on yesterday's special presentation morning, at which the youngsters were handed a certificate and then given the keys to the games consoles.They queued up to play a Nintendo Wii on a huge, cinema-style screen, while others belted out Hannah Montana and High School Musical favourites on a hi-tech karaoke machine.
Kerry Platts, a study support mentor, said: "This is about thanking them for their hard work and marking their achievements."They are all at different stages of learning, but all have been really committed."Some had very little English when they arrived, and they are from many different countries, but you only have to listen to the chatter to hear how well they're doing." Despite the young friends being from nations as far apart as France and Malaysia, with many more in between, the chatter was all in English. Some had even picked up the beginnings of what will blossom into a broad south Leeds accent.
Lisa Koranteng, of Ingram Road Primary School, in Holbeck, said she wanted to use her English to become a pop star.The eight-year-old said: "It helped me make friends. Now I want to sing like Hannah Montana." Chris Walton, Lisa's deputy headteacher, said: "Four children come from our school, it is great for their reading skills and confidence. It is an excellent programme."
This is yet another brilliant initiative and the impact is just incredible. Thanks to everyone involved.
Chris
Saturday, 28 March 2009
I have been in Leeds for nearly eight years and last week I visited some great places and spent time with some incredible colleagues who are delivering brilliant outcomes for young people...
I visited Cockburn College of Arts and Wortley High School; good schools where colleagues are doing wonderful things and achieving outstanding results. I attended a 'Festival of Ideas'; a unique collaboration between the Innovation Exchange and Education Leeds looking at how we develop provision for some of our young people exhibiting challenging behaviour. I had breakfast with the North East secondary headteachers and the Elmete family of schools headteachers. It was great to spend time with these colleagues looking at the opportunities we have to build brilliant learning in brilliant learning places. I also attended the headteacher forum where we discussed how together we can deal with some of the big issues facing us here in Leeds. I opened the anti-bullying consultation day where we were looking, with some of our young people, at how we can further develop the wonderful 'Power of Me' initiative. I went to BBC Leeds to watch Look North on BBC School News Report day, and finally, I visited Kippax North Junior and Infant School who were being visited by the judging panel to look at some of the work the school is doing for the 'Sustainable School' award for the North of England section of the Teaching Awards.
After twenty four terms here in Leeds I recognise more and more what a privilege is it to work with some truly extraordinary colleagues serving young people, their families and the communities they live in. From South Leeds, to West Leeds, to North West Leeds, to North East Leeds, to East Leeds together we are transforming lives, delivering fantastic outcomes and building brilliant learning in brilliant learning places.
Of course we need to do more. We must continue our relentless and uncompromising focus to deliver world class outcomes for all our young people. We must work harder and commit ourselves to every child achieving the passport to success at every stage of their learning; being a reader by eight, having the functional, social and emotional skills they need by eleven, and achieving success, however we choose to define it, by sixteen.
This Easter let's celebrate what we are achieving together in brilliant learning places across Leeds. After Easter let's get back to seeing how we can continue to change the world for those who need us most.
Chris
I visited Cockburn College of Arts and Wortley High School; good schools where colleagues are doing wonderful things and achieving outstanding results. I attended a 'Festival of Ideas'; a unique collaboration between the Innovation Exchange and Education Leeds looking at how we develop provision for some of our young people exhibiting challenging behaviour. I had breakfast with the North East secondary headteachers and the Elmete family of schools headteachers. It was great to spend time with these colleagues looking at the opportunities we have to build brilliant learning in brilliant learning places. I also attended the headteacher forum where we discussed how together we can deal with some of the big issues facing us here in Leeds. I opened the anti-bullying consultation day where we were looking, with some of our young people, at how we can further develop the wonderful 'Power of Me' initiative. I went to BBC Leeds to watch Look North on BBC School News Report day, and finally, I visited Kippax North Junior and Infant School who were being visited by the judging panel to look at some of the work the school is doing for the 'Sustainable School' award for the North of England section of the Teaching Awards.
After twenty four terms here in Leeds I recognise more and more what a privilege is it to work with some truly extraordinary colleagues serving young people, their families and the communities they live in. From South Leeds, to West Leeds, to North West Leeds, to North East Leeds, to East Leeds together we are transforming lives, delivering fantastic outcomes and building brilliant learning in brilliant learning places.
Of course we need to do more. We must continue our relentless and uncompromising focus to deliver world class outcomes for all our young people. We must work harder and commit ourselves to every child achieving the passport to success at every stage of their learning; being a reader by eight, having the functional, social and emotional skills they need by eleven, and achieving success, however we choose to define it, by sixteen.
This Easter let's celebrate what we are achieving together in brilliant learning places across Leeds. After Easter let's get back to seeing how we can continue to change the world for those who need us most.
Chris
Friday, 27 March 2009
My colleague Bernadette Youing, headteacher at Royd's School, sent me some great news about her students and Rock Challenge...
AS you probably know, Rock Challenge is for students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too.
"Dear Chris, Months of hard work and dedication went in to this year's Rock Challenge. A student committee was set up in September. The committee chose the theme, researched around the theme selected the music tracks and begun to choreograph the piece. They then held the auditions to select the team which was not just about how well they could dance but on how well they worked as a team during the auditions so that everyone had an equal and fair opportunity. This gave us the best group of students to work with. On Wednesday 25th March 75 students headed off to St George's Hall in Bradford for a day of fun and performing. The students were true Embassadors for Royds, they were encouraging and friendly to students from other schools as well as each other when the nerves kicked in. Their performance in the evening was extremely professional and resulted in them being placed third. They were also successful in being awarded Student Leadership, Best Lighting Design and the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council award for Performance Skill. Overall this year was a fantastic success with many students becoming much more confident and having improved self esteem. Although it was a late evening and a long drive back home, it was fantastic and so pleasing to see the enjoyment of all youngsters, from all schools. The atmosphere was great!! I wish a chauffeur came with the job!!! Bernadette."
It's great to hear about events like this where, supported by brilliant colleagues, our young people excel and show the world what they are capable of.
Chris
AS you probably know, Rock Challenge is for students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too.
"Dear Chris, Months of hard work and dedication went in to this year's Rock Challenge. A student committee was set up in September. The committee chose the theme, researched around the theme selected the music tracks and begun to choreograph the piece. They then held the auditions to select the team which was not just about how well they could dance but on how well they worked as a team during the auditions so that everyone had an equal and fair opportunity. This gave us the best group of students to work with. On Wednesday 25th March 75 students headed off to St George's Hall in Bradford for a day of fun and performing. The students were true Embassadors for Royds, they were encouraging and friendly to students from other schools as well as each other when the nerves kicked in. Their performance in the evening was extremely professional and resulted in them being placed third. They were also successful in being awarded Student Leadership, Best Lighting Design and the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council award for Performance Skill. Overall this year was a fantastic success with many students becoming much more confident and having improved self esteem. Although it was a late evening and a long drive back home, it was fantastic and so pleasing to see the enjoyment of all youngsters, from all schools. The atmosphere was great!! I wish a chauffeur came with the job!!! Bernadette."
It's great to hear about events like this where, supported by brilliant colleagues, our young people excel and show the world what they are capable of.
Chris
I moved on to Kippax North Junior and Infant School...
The school has been nominated for the Sustainable Schools Award as part of the National Teaching Awards and the regional assessment was taking place today. Over the last two years we have had nominations for this award for some great schools and we hope that this year we, do the third time lucky and, win!
This is a wonderful little school where Barbara Clark, headteacher, and Chris Clarke, learning mentor, are passionate advocates of sustainability and last year I was honoured to be asked to open their wind turbine. The school has achieved National and Advanced Healthy Schools Awards and is pursuing Green Flag status as part of Eco Schools, the international award programme. They already have achieved the bronze and silver awards. They believe in educating about, for and in the environment and there is a long term commitment to their holistic vision for sustainability focused on positive outcomes for the children, their families and the community they serve. They have some incredible plans developed by and with the children for continuing their journey as a model sustainable school and a centre of real excellence for Leeds.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Chris
The school has been nominated for the Sustainable Schools Award as part of the National Teaching Awards and the regional assessment was taking place today. Over the last two years we have had nominations for this award for some great schools and we hope that this year we, do the third time lucky and, win!
This is a wonderful little school where Barbara Clark, headteacher, and Chris Clarke, learning mentor, are passionate advocates of sustainability and last year I was honoured to be asked to open their wind turbine. The school has achieved National and Advanced Healthy Schools Awards and is pursuing Green Flag status as part of Eco Schools, the international award programme. They already have achieved the bronze and silver awards. They believe in educating about, for and in the environment and there is a long term commitment to their holistic vision for sustainability focused on positive outcomes for the children, their families and the community they serve. They have some incredible plans developed by and with the children for continuing their journey as a model sustainable school and a centre of real excellence for Leeds.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Chris
I satrted the day early at South Leeds High School...
I was there to see Colin Bell, headteacher, to talk about progress with this year's Year 11 students and to check that everything was moving on well with the arrangements for the new Academy. We are hoping to see a significant improvement in student outcomes this Summer and Colin and the team are working hard to ensure that we continue to build brilliant at South Leeds.
Chris
I was there to see Colin Bell, headteacher, to talk about progress with this year's Year 11 students and to check that everything was moving on well with the arrangements for the new Academy. We are hoping to see a significant improvement in student outcomes this Summer and Colin and the team are working hard to ensure that we continue to build brilliant at South Leeds.
Chris
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Today is BBC School News Report Day and I moved on again to the BBC Leeds studios...
I ahd been invited to watch Look North from the Gallery where they manage the programme and Harry Gration, Christa Ackroyd and Paul Hudson.
It was interesting to watch how the programme is delivered and the School Report element was from a Bradford school. I hope next year that they will include a young person alongside Harry and Christa in the studio.
Chris
I ahd been invited to watch Look North from the Gallery where they manage the programme and Harry Gration, Christa Ackroyd and Paul Hudson.
It was interesting to watch how the programme is delivered and the School Report element was from a Bradford school. I hope next year that they will include a young person alongside Harry and Christa in the studio.
Chris
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