My colleague Jean Basson, Inclusion Services CPD Co-ordinator, sent me this bit of great news...
"Dear Chris, You may well already know this but in case not, the West SILC were short-listed on 10th April for the TES 'Outstanding Special Needs Initiative of the Year'. The focus of their entry is as follows: 'West SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre), Leeds Project: a focus on individualised learning pathways for children with the most complex and multiple learning needs has helped to develop improved interactions and functional skills previously not believed possible. A social inclusion model where children interact with their mainstream peers has developed a circle of friends for every child.' I am really delighted as I have been working with a joint Learning Team from the E, NW,NE & S SILCs for several years on their work with children with CMLD and Sarah Riley from the West SILC has been leading this group. I think it is a great achievement. Jean"
It is brilliant that more of our special needs provision has been identified as exceptional and I hope that they go onto win the TES 'Outstanding Special Needs Initiative of the Year' award.
Chris
Monday, 20 April 2009
My colleague Helen Sanderson, headteacher at Meanwood CE Primary School, picked me up on the blog entry about my visit 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 I attended the start of the regional assessment day. I said in my blog that over the last two years we have had nominations for this award for some great schools and we hope that this year we win! I meant win the national award, because I should of course have acknowledged that Meanwood CE Primary School actually won the regional award last year and then went on to achieve a top three place at the national awards. Sorry Helen!
Quite an achievement for Kippax to follow!
Chris
The school has been nominated for the Sustainable Schools Award as part of the National Teaching Awards and I attended the start of the regional assessment day. I said in my blog that over the last two years we have had nominations for this award for some great schools and we hope that this year we win! I meant win the national award, because I should of course have acknowledged that Meanwood CE Primary School actually won the regional award last year and then went on to achieve a top three place at the national awards. Sorry Helen!
Quite an achievement for Kippax to follow!
Chris
The Equality Framework for Local Government
The Equality Framework is a performance and improvement framework which helps
public bodies to focus on the processes and outcomes associated with equality and
diversity...
The Framework has been introduced from April 2009 and is based on the Equality Standard which we have been working on since its establishment in 2001. The Equality Framework provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to dealing with equalities and covers all aspects of policy making, service delivery and employment. The Equality Framework recognises the importance of fair and equal treatment in public services and employment and supports mainstreaming equality into policy and practice at all levels.
This framework will help us to:
• improve the services we provide so they are more representative, relevant and efficient, whilst also improving satisfaction and trust;
• ensure that policies and strategies deliver fairness for everyone and improve our accountability to local people;
• combat inequalities and avoid expensive litigation as a consequence of discrimination.
There are 3 levels to the Framework: emerging, achieving and excellence. As a level 4 company we are already at 'achieving' level moving towards 'excellence'. Work is currently taking place to fully understand how we will move from the Equality Standard to the Equality Framework. Achievement of the levels is confirmed through peer assessment. The Equality Framework focuses on 5 areas of change management and relates closely to requirements within the new Comprehensive Area Assessment: The five areas of change management are:
public bodies to focus on the processes and outcomes associated with equality and
diversity...
The Framework has been introduced from April 2009 and is based on the Equality Standard which we have been working on since its establishment in 2001. The Equality Framework provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to dealing with equalities and covers all aspects of policy making, service delivery and employment. The Equality Framework recognises the importance of fair and equal treatment in public services and employment and supports mainstreaming equality into policy and practice at all levels.
This framework will help us to:
• improve the services we provide so they are more representative, relevant and efficient, whilst also improving satisfaction and trust;
• ensure that policies and strategies deliver fairness for everyone and improve our accountability to local people;
• combat inequalities and avoid expensive litigation as a consequence of discrimination.
There are 3 levels to the Framework: emerging, achieving and excellence. As a level 4 company we are already at 'achieving' level moving towards 'excellence'. Work is currently taking place to fully understand how we will move from the Equality Standard to the Equality Framework. Achievement of the levels is confirmed through peer assessment. The Equality Framework focuses on 5 areas of change management and relates closely to requirements within the new Comprehensive Area Assessment: The five areas of change management are:
- Knowing your community – equality mapping
- Place shaping, leadership, partnership and organisational commitment
- Community engagement and satisfaction
- Responsive services and customer care
- A modern and diverse workforce
For more information about the Equality Framework please contact Rehana Minhas or Council colleagues at equalityteam@leeds.gov.uk.
Chris
Equality Standard Level 4!
We have now achieved Level 4 of the Equality Standard. To achieve level 4 of the
Equality Standard we had to demonstrate that we had progressed the equality agenda
through the use of impact assessments, equality monitoring and involving
communities. Well done to everyone who contributed and to all those colleagues and teams who have work so hard and played an important role in making equalities an integral part of our everyday work.
Chris
Equality Standard we had to demonstrate that we had progressed the equality agenda
through the use of impact assessments, equality monitoring and involving
communities. Well done to everyone who contributed and to all those colleagues and teams who have work so hard and played an important role in making equalities an integral part of our everyday work.
Chris
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
It has been another term where we have once again been checked, inspected, monitored and srutinised to death...
Whatever they throw at us, I still believe that the only possible response is that we should be constantly and relentlessly positive about what we are doing. We have so much to be proud of here in Leeds and our approach to the challenges we are facing must be intelligent, direct and honest. If anyone out there believes they can do it better they should come on down, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
After a long hard term, I need a break but before I go here’s how to survive the term ahead...
Chris
Whatever they throw at us, I still believe that the only possible response is that we should be constantly and relentlessly positive about what we are doing. We have so much to be proud of here in Leeds and our approach to the challenges we are facing must be intelligent, direct and honest. If anyone out there believes they can do it better they should come on down, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
After a long hard term, I need a break but before I go here’s how to survive the term ahead...
- Remember that absolute feedback does not exist
- Remember that it's their opinion, it's not fact!
- Remember to keep talking about our successes.
- Remember to keep learning how to do it better.
- Remember to constantly support your colleagues.
- Remember to phone a friend when you need help and support.
- Remember to focus on the outcomes you are achieving.
- Remember to stay positive!
Chris
Education Leeds makes a big difference to Martin House...
I receved a wonderful letter from Amanda Carter. Amanda wanted me to know that Martin House would like to thank Education Leeds for all of our help, so far, raising a fantastic £26,000 for the Leeds children’s hospice. Colleagues at Education Leeds have been supporting Martin House children’s hospice with a number of events and campaigns, including Little Thing BIG Difference. We all know that Martin House is the only children’s hospice in Yorkshire and provides a unique and incredibly valuable service to children and young people with terminal illnesss and their families. Martin House relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and needs to raise £3.9 million to run the hospice this year. The hospice need our continual support, so keep up the valuable hard work!!
Chris
I receved a wonderful letter from Amanda Carter. Amanda wanted me to know that Martin House would like to thank Education Leeds for all of our help, so far, raising a fantastic £26,000 for the Leeds children’s hospice. Colleagues at Education Leeds have been supporting Martin House children’s hospice with a number of events and campaigns, including Little Thing BIG Difference. We all know that Martin House is the only children’s hospice in Yorkshire and provides a unique and incredibly valuable service to children and young people with terminal illnesss and their families. Martin House relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and needs to raise £3.9 million to run the hospice this year. The hospice need our continual support, so keep up the valuable hard work!!
Chris
Monday, 6 April 2009
I finished the day at Leeds United at yet another Playing for Success Celebration...
The Leeds United Learning Centre is doing a brilliant job. The evening celebrated a ten week programme involving young people from eight schools; Farnley Park High School, Mount St Mary's Catholic High School, Castleton Primary School, Cottingley Primary School, Hunslet Carr Primary School, Lower Wortley Primary School and the South SILC at Broomfield. It was a brilliant evening and the Lorimer Suite was packed with young people and their parents, carers and teachers.
Chris
The Leeds United Learning Centre is doing a brilliant job. The evening celebrated a ten week programme involving young people from eight schools; Farnley Park High School, Mount St Mary's Catholic High School, Castleton Primary School, Cottingley Primary School, Hunslet Carr Primary School, Lower Wortley Primary School and the South SILC at Broomfield. It was a brilliant evening and the Lorimer Suite was packed with young people and their parents, carers and teachers.
Chris
My colleague Rehana Minhas, Director for Equality and Entitlement, sent me this...
"Dear Chris, I have just seen the screening of 'Out of Bounds' at Leeds Art Gallery, which is a brilliant and inspirational piece of work put together by 12 young people with disabilities about their aspirations. The work has been supported by Pete Thurlow and his team at South Leeds CLC. The DVD will be circulated shortly and most definitely deserves showing to a wider audience. It is a great learning resource for all. Pete Thurlow and his team will put together reviews and articles for EL Infomag and other communication newsletters. Rehana."
Pete and his colleagues at the South Leeds CLC have done some brilliant work in so many areas and it is wonderful to see that they have supported some of our most special children on this important piece of work.
Chris
"Dear Chris, I have just seen the screening of 'Out of Bounds' at Leeds Art Gallery, which is a brilliant and inspirational piece of work put together by 12 young people with disabilities about their aspirations. The work has been supported by Pete Thurlow and his team at South Leeds CLC. The DVD will be circulated shortly and most definitely deserves showing to a wider audience. It is a great learning resource for all. Pete Thurlow and his team will put together reviews and articles for EL Infomag and other communication newsletters. Rehana."
Pete and his colleagues at the South Leeds CLC have done some brilliant work in so many areas and it is wonderful to see that they have supported some of our most special children on this important piece of work.
Chris
When I visited Wortley High School recently I heard about another of our young stars...
One of Wortley's young people, Toni Elkington, won the Bupa Educational Achiever’ award at the Prince's Trust 'Celebrate Success Awards Yorkshire and the Humber'. Toni had a troubled relationship with her family and eventually things got so bad she went into care. Shortly after this, her mum passed away and Toni turned to drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis to block out the pain. She hardly ever went to school and when she did she was under the influence of drugs. The Prince's Trsut xl programme has given structure to Toni’s disjointed life. She is fantastic at motivating others, is a great team player and has lots of respect for the rest of the group. It’s had a huge impact on her self-esteem and she’s started to enjoy school and has taken all her GCSEs. Toni was one of just three young people from across the UK selected to compete the 'alfour Beatty Educational Achiever Award' at the Prince's Trust and RBS 'Celebrate Success' event in London on 31 March. Although Toni didn't win the award her's is a fantastic story where another young person's life has been turned around by brilliant provision; this time at Wortley High School supported by the Prince's Trust. Toni is working towards sixth form qualifications in art, design and mentoring and hopes to go to college to study construction.
Chris
Sunday, 5 April 2009
"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another week and another term consigned to history...
I started the week with the primary PE link teachers conference at the Ghandi Hall at Leeds Metropolitan University. I attended the playing for success celebration evening for the Hunslet Hawks Learning Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport, and the celebration evening for the White Rose Learning Centre at the White Rose Shopping Centre. I attended and spoke about the crucial role of safer schools at the prevent launch at Leeds Town Hall. I attended the Leeds School Music Association festival concert at Leeds Town Hall, had breakfast with principals, headteachers and colleagues who make up the specialist inclusion provision group, and had lunch with colleagues from the personnel team. I visited Pudsey Greenside Primary School and St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, attended the official opening of the new school buildings at Bracken Edge Primary School, and went to Colton Primary School to say thank you to Andy Sayers who was retiring as headteacher after nine years at the school and twenty years here in Leeds.
After yet another incredible term where we have achieved so much together, I'll never understand why so many people settle for the mediocre, the achievable without a struggle, or just what is expected. What is it that holds so many people back from achieving brilliant results and achieving great things? After eight great years here in Leeds I've discovered that there is a simple formula for achieving success:
Success = Persistence + Determination + Discipline + Courage + Hard Work.
That’s it, simple as that. It's all about dreaming big, believing in yourself, knowing the obstacles and still going for it. Don’t let other people tell you what's good for you and what you are capable of. Go for what you believe in, and if in the end you don’t succeed, you’ll have the experience to carry you through to the next venture.
Remember that there’s no failure in life when you try, only learning.
Chris
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another week and another term consigned to history...
I started the week with the primary PE link teachers conference at the Ghandi Hall at Leeds Metropolitan University. I attended the playing for success celebration evening for the Hunslet Hawks Learning Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport, and the celebration evening for the White Rose Learning Centre at the White Rose Shopping Centre. I attended and spoke about the crucial role of safer schools at the prevent launch at Leeds Town Hall. I attended the Leeds School Music Association festival concert at Leeds Town Hall, had breakfast with principals, headteachers and colleagues who make up the specialist inclusion provision group, and had lunch with colleagues from the personnel team. I visited Pudsey Greenside Primary School and St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, attended the official opening of the new school buildings at Bracken Edge Primary School, and went to Colton Primary School to say thank you to Andy Sayers who was retiring as headteacher after nine years at the school and twenty years here in Leeds.
After yet another incredible term where we have achieved so much together, I'll never understand why so many people settle for the mediocre, the achievable without a struggle, or just what is expected. What is it that holds so many people back from achieving brilliant results and achieving great things? After eight great years here in Leeds I've discovered that there is a simple formula for achieving success:
Success = Persistence + Determination + Discipline + Courage + Hard Work.
That’s it, simple as that. It's all about dreaming big, believing in yourself, knowing the obstacles and still going for it. Don’t let other people tell you what's good for you and what you are capable of. Go for what you believe in, and if in the end you don’t succeed, you’ll have the experience to carry you through to the next venture.
Remember that there’s no failure in life when you try, only learning.
Chris
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