I started the afternoon at the Aireborough Family of Schools Portfolio Celebration Event at the Civic Hall...
It is really encouraging to see the schools in Aireborough working together to achieve the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard. We all need to continue to develop respect, tolerance and understanding and to tackle racism, bullying and anti-social behaviour.
The afternoon started with an introduction by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Judith Elliott, and involved music and performances by young people from Benton Park School, Tranmere Park Primary school, Queensway Primary School and Children's centre, Aireborough Youth Council and Rawdon St Peters CE Primary School. And finally all the young people sang 'World in Unison' which showed us all that the young people from these thirteen great schools are brilliant ambassadors and advocates for all the things that really matter.
Chris
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
The Leeds TreeAthlon 2009
Councillor John Procter, Executive Member for Leisure, sent me this e-mail...
"The third Leeds TreeAthlon will be held at Temple Newsam Park on Sunday 27th September this year. It would be fantastic if you could get involved in the event in some way this year - by either participating in the 5k run, or by sponsoring somebody who is taking part. The event last year grew to 500 runners from the 200 in 2007, and as a result of the efforts of these people over the last two years, Leeds has received almost £60,000 worth of funds for trees and has planted 17,000 trees. Can you imagine the difference this has made to our environment ? Trees alleviate the effects of pollution and flooding and also help reduce temperatures particularly in city centres. In terms of reducing carbon footprints and putting something back into the environment, there is nothing better than planting trees.
So please, log onto www.tree-athlon.org and see how you can help by participating in this years event. If you can't participate then see how you can help the Trees for Cities charity by making a regular donation to them - you can visit their website www.treesforcities.org Manchester held their first TreeAthlon last year and managed to get 500 runners! We must make our third TreeAthlon extra special with 1000 runners so please start joining up! Best wishes, JOHN."
"The third Leeds TreeAthlon will be held at Temple Newsam Park on Sunday 27th September this year. It would be fantastic if you could get involved in the event in some way this year - by either participating in the 5k run, or by sponsoring somebody who is taking part. The event last year grew to 500 runners from the 200 in 2007, and as a result of the efforts of these people over the last two years, Leeds has received almost £60,000 worth of funds for trees and has planted 17,000 trees. Can you imagine the difference this has made to our environment ? Trees alleviate the effects of pollution and flooding and also help reduce temperatures particularly in city centres. In terms of reducing carbon footprints and putting something back into the environment, there is nothing better than planting trees.
So please, log onto www.tree-athlon.org and see how you can help by participating in this years event. If you can't participate then see how you can help the Trees for Cities charity by making a regular donation to them - you can visit their website www.treesforcities.org Manchester held their first TreeAthlon last year and managed to get 500 runners! We must make our third TreeAthlon extra special with 1000 runners so please start joining up! Best wishes, JOHN."
This is an amazing event and enables us to hit two of our biggest issues at the same time; increasing activity and tackling obesity and helping the environment. I hope every school in Leeds will take part alongside colleagues from Education Leeds and ensure that the event is a brilliant success.
Anything Manchester can do we can do better!
Chris
Monday, 29 June 2009
We must always remember that we are doing amazing things here in Leeds...
We need to continue to build BRILLIANT learning in BRILLIANT learning places in every locality with strong community engagement and powerful and modern governance. We need to build deep learning in all our learning places; deep learning that equips all our little learners with the functional, personal and social skills they need to become successful bigger learners in a world that is increasingly automated, and where the routine, the repetitive and the ordinary are done by machine. We need to powerfully use ICT and local networks to develop and nurture excellence, talent, creativity and imagination and share good practice and great ideas, wherever we can find them.
Last week, I started the week at the heads of PE conference at the Carnegie Stadium in Headingley with some great colleagues who are achieving some incredible outcomes. I attended the BSF wave 13 conference at the Leeds Metropolitan University Rosebowl where we talked about how we can continue to transform the learning estate here in Leeds. I attended the regional showcase and celebration event at the Holiday Inn at Garforth where Mike Cooper and his colleagues were celebrating some outstanding social enterprise activities from across Yorkshire and the Humber. I attended another STEPS celebration to hand out certificates to parents of students at Morley High School. I also managed to visit three of our primary schools where colleagues are doing great things: Wetherby St James Church of England Primary School, Hill Top Primary School and Hugh Gaitskell Primary School where I officially opened their wonderful new garden and playground. I attended the Leeds Initiative Assembly at the Leeds City Museum to look at the opportunities and challenges facing Leeds over the next twenty years. I had breakfast with an amazing group of headteacher colleagues from the Seacroft and Manston family of schools at Crossgates Primary School and I also attended the Gypsy Roma Traveller 'Storytelling and Achievement Awards' at the Civic Hall where we celebrated some wonderful young people. I finally visited the Blenheim centre to thank Teresa Chamberlain for her wonderful service over the last twenty five years.
It seems to me after such an incredible week, with some amazing colleagues like Vicki Di Stasi, Mike Cooper, Peter Saunders, Duncan Grant, Margaret Beesley, Duncan Walsh and Teresa Chamberlain, that successful organisations, successful schools and successful teams, all have the following characteristics...
We need to continue to build BRILLIANT learning in BRILLIANT learning places in every locality with strong community engagement and powerful and modern governance. We need to build deep learning in all our learning places; deep learning that equips all our little learners with the functional, personal and social skills they need to become successful bigger learners in a world that is increasingly automated, and where the routine, the repetitive and the ordinary are done by machine. We need to powerfully use ICT and local networks to develop and nurture excellence, talent, creativity and imagination and share good practice and great ideas, wherever we can find them.
Last week, I started the week at the heads of PE conference at the Carnegie Stadium in Headingley with some great colleagues who are achieving some incredible outcomes. I attended the BSF wave 13 conference at the Leeds Metropolitan University Rosebowl where we talked about how we can continue to transform the learning estate here in Leeds. I attended the regional showcase and celebration event at the Holiday Inn at Garforth where Mike Cooper and his colleagues were celebrating some outstanding social enterprise activities from across Yorkshire and the Humber. I attended another STEPS celebration to hand out certificates to parents of students at Morley High School. I also managed to visit three of our primary schools where colleagues are doing great things: Wetherby St James Church of England Primary School, Hill Top Primary School and Hugh Gaitskell Primary School where I officially opened their wonderful new garden and playground. I attended the Leeds Initiative Assembly at the Leeds City Museum to look at the opportunities and challenges facing Leeds over the next twenty years. I had breakfast with an amazing group of headteacher colleagues from the Seacroft and Manston family of schools at Crossgates Primary School and I also attended the Gypsy Roma Traveller 'Storytelling and Achievement Awards' at the Civic Hall where we celebrated some wonderful young people. I finally visited the Blenheim centre to thank Teresa Chamberlain for her wonderful service over the last twenty five years.
It seems to me after such an incredible week, with some amazing colleagues like Vicki Di Stasi, Mike Cooper, Peter Saunders, Duncan Grant, Margaret Beesley, Duncan Walsh and Teresa Chamberlain, that successful organisations, successful schools and successful teams, all have the following characteristics...
- vision, values and a sense of purpose which shapes the way colleagues behave and helps everyone know they are making a difference;
- the courage to set challenging goals and to develop new and cutting-edge solutions;
- an innovative and creative culture that values people and makes them feel special and that trusts, empowers and engages colleagues' distinct and unique talents;
- a rigorous and relentless approach to evaluating performance and individuals’ contributions;
- a passionate concern for young people, families, the wider community and the bigger picture; and
- a reputation for excellence, hard work and commitment.
Tom Peters said... "Leadership is the process of engaging people in building the future, creating a legacy of excellence and making a difference"... so what difference are you making for the young people, the families and the communities that we serve and that need us most?
Chris
I received this e-mail today from my colleague Dorothy Smith, Director of School Improvement...
"Dear Chris, I attended the Schools Linking Celebration on Wednesday at the Civic Hall. I wanted to let you know about the amazing work that was presented by the 21 schools and SILCs represented. The pupils spoke confidently of the impact that meeting and making new friends from different cultures had on them. Val Forster and Pauline Rosenthal have done a really great job getting this off the ground and more schools are to be involved in next year. I have a copy of some writing by Alex age 15 from West SILC which talks about his feelings having been aprt of the programme which is particularly moving which I will share with you when I see you. Best wishes, Dorothy."
Another great event celebrating equality, culture and difference.
Chris
"Dear Chris, I attended the Schools Linking Celebration on Wednesday at the Civic Hall. I wanted to let you know about the amazing work that was presented by the 21 schools and SILCs represented. The pupils spoke confidently of the impact that meeting and making new friends from different cultures had on them. Val Forster and Pauline Rosenthal have done a really great job getting this off the ground and more schools are to be involved in next year. I have a copy of some writing by Alex age 15 from West SILC which talks about his feelings having been aprt of the programme which is particularly moving which I will share with you when I see you. Best wishes, Dorothy."
Another great event celebrating equality, culture and difference.
Chris
I moved on this afternoon to the 5th Birthday Party for the Ireland Wood Children's Centre...
Ireland Wood Children's Centre is the only Children's Centre in Leeds run by a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The Centre achieved Children's Centre status in 2006 and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor in July 2006. However, the centre has been providing childcare and family support since June 2004 when they were known as Little Acorns and were based at Ralph Thoresby High School.
It was great to visit and see the brilliant work that Linda Parkin, the Centre Manager, and her team are doing working alongside Ian Blackburn and his great team at Ireland Wood Primary School. The birthday party was also attended by Greg Mulholland MP and we were treated to an 'Old MacDonald had a Farm' sing and sign session by the children. Brilliant!
Chris
Ireland Wood Children's Centre is the only Children's Centre in Leeds run by a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. The Centre achieved Children's Centre status in 2006 and was officially opened by the Lord Mayor in July 2006. However, the centre has been providing childcare and family support since June 2004 when they were known as Little Acorns and were based at Ralph Thoresby High School.
It was great to visit and see the brilliant work that Linda Parkin, the Centre Manager, and her team are doing working alongside Ian Blackburn and his great team at Ireland Wood Primary School. The birthday party was also attended by Greg Mulholland MP and we were treated to an 'Old MacDonald had a Farm' sing and sign session by the children. Brilliant!
Chris
I know that I am not the only one having sleepless nights about the explosion in the early years population but according to the latest figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families overall the number of children and young people continues to fall in our schools...
I find it hard to believe but the figures suggest that between 2005 and 2009, primary schools lost about 130,000 children, or a reduction of about 3%. In secondary schools, the decline has been nearly 110,000, concentrated in the 11-16 age group with numbers in sixth forms actually increasing by about 35,000. Interestingly, the number of children being educated in special schools remained constant at about 84,500; falling slightly over the period before rising again over the past two years.
The number of young people in our secondary schools is projected to fall further as the current small age cohorts move through from the primary schools. However the number of under-5s has increased by about 40,000 in the past five years, and, according to the Office for National Statistics, the current record birth rate means this rise is set to continue into the foreseeable future.
Makes planning for the future really interesting.
Chris
I find it hard to believe but the figures suggest that between 2005 and 2009, primary schools lost about 130,000 children, or a reduction of about 3%. In secondary schools, the decline has been nearly 110,000, concentrated in the 11-16 age group with numbers in sixth forms actually increasing by about 35,000. Interestingly, the number of children being educated in special schools remained constant at about 84,500; falling slightly over the period before rising again over the past two years.
The number of young people in our secondary schools is projected to fall further as the current small age cohorts move through from the primary schools. However the number of under-5s has increased by about 40,000 in the past five years, and, according to the Office for National Statistics, the current record birth rate means this rise is set to continue into the foreseeable future.
Makes planning for the future really interesting.
Chris
I know that we should constantly be raising the bar and searching for even better outcomes in better schools but I wonder if the new OFSTED Framework is the answer...
Christine Gilbert, HMCI, has said that things are going to be tougher from September. Schools with 'poor raw data' and where progress is not good or better and there is 'little evidence' of improvement will automatically be placed in a category. From September to get an 'outstanding' judgement from our friends at OFSTED attainment must be at least 'above average'.
It seems bizarre that except in the most exceptional circumstances schools where attainment is low will not be able to get a good inspection outcome. There are exceptional schools here in Leeds where attainment is low but perhaps I am missing something!
Chris
Christine Gilbert, HMCI, has said that things are going to be tougher from September. Schools with 'poor raw data' and where progress is not good or better and there is 'little evidence' of improvement will automatically be placed in a category. From September to get an 'outstanding' judgement from our friends at OFSTED attainment must be at least 'above average'.
It seems bizarre that except in the most exceptional circumstances schools where attainment is low will not be able to get a good inspection outcome. There are exceptional schools here in Leeds where attainment is low but perhaps I am missing something!
Chris
I started the day early at Carr Manor High School...
I was there to see Simon Flowers, headteacher, to catch up on the progress the school is making, the challenges we all face and how we look at a twenty year vision for 21st Century Schools here in Leeds. It's always great to spend time at Carr Manor High School and this morning was no different.
Chris
Chris
Sunday, 28 June 2009
We are on the edge of a radical and important transformation but one that may be lost unless we are very careful...
More than ever we need schools to connect more powerfully with young people, their families and the communities they serve. The research suggests that a great school can achieve great things but it's impact on a child's life only amounts to around 12-15% of the child's success. A great family and a great mum has a massively more important and influential role accounting for up to 30% of a child's success. And surprisingly a great community, an aspirational community, also matters hugely to a child's success. Sadly, while it helps, going to a great school is not the only answer to the problems we face and we must recognise that the answers to the real challenges we all face in raising standards and achieving world class outcomes for our children lie in tackling poverty, deprivation and poor parenting and in building equality and equity at the heart of everything we do.
Happy to discuss.
Chris
More than ever we need schools to connect more powerfully with young people, their families and the communities they serve. The research suggests that a great school can achieve great things but it's impact on a child's life only amounts to around 12-15% of the child's success. A great family and a great mum has a massively more important and influential role accounting for up to 30% of a child's success. And surprisingly a great community, an aspirational community, also matters hugely to a child's success. Sadly, while it helps, going to a great school is not the only answer to the problems we face and we must recognise that the answers to the real challenges we all face in raising standards and achieving world class outcomes for our children lie in tackling poverty, deprivation and poor parenting and in building equality and equity at the heart of everything we do.
Happy to discuss.
Chris
I nearly forgot this piece of good news...
Pudsey Grangefield school was highly commended at the national British Council for School Environments awards last Wednesday evening. The state-of-the-art school, built as part of the Leeds Building Schools for the Future programme, opened in September 2008 to high praise from students, staff and the local community. The school was nominated in the ‘Inspiring Design’ category at the BCSE Awards which took place at The Emirate’s Stadium in London.
If you haven't visited the school, it combines a range of learning spaces with state-of-the art ICT equipment. It is loosely faculty based with innovative open learning areas, break-out spaces and show-and-tell rooms which provide informal briefing, discussion and presentation areas where students can learn in a relaxed atmosphere. The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible while the central ‘street’ and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resource areas.
The school design reflects Ken Cornforth personal vision for personalised learning and working with colleagues and his students Ken has designed the school to reflect that vision. The flexible classrooms are equipped with Promethean ActivBoards and wireless learning is available across the school to encourage young people to take control of their learning and develop their skills as much as possible.
Ty Goddard, chief executive of the BCSE, said: “The quality of entries led to intense debate amongst the judges, which is how it should be. Pudsey Grangefield School shows that the right resources and approach can produce great projects which we can be proud of. Our thanks go to everyone involved for being willing to invest their time and energy in a project which ensures pupils and teachers have such an inspirational centre to learn, play and teach in.”
Ken Cornforth and his colleagues have created something really impressive at Pudsey Grangefield and they are building brilliant learning in this brilliant learning place.
Chris
Pudsey Grangefield school was highly commended at the national British Council for School Environments awards last Wednesday evening. The state-of-the-art school, built as part of the Leeds Building Schools for the Future programme, opened in September 2008 to high praise from students, staff and the local community. The school was nominated in the ‘Inspiring Design’ category at the BCSE Awards which took place at The Emirate’s Stadium in London.
If you haven't visited the school, it combines a range of learning spaces with state-of-the art ICT equipment. It is loosely faculty based with innovative open learning areas, break-out spaces and show-and-tell rooms which provide informal briefing, discussion and presentation areas where students can learn in a relaxed atmosphere. The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible while the central ‘street’ and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resource areas.
The school design reflects Ken Cornforth personal vision for personalised learning and working with colleagues and his students Ken has designed the school to reflect that vision. The flexible classrooms are equipped with Promethean ActivBoards and wireless learning is available across the school to encourage young people to take control of their learning and develop their skills as much as possible.
Ty Goddard, chief executive of the BCSE, said: “The quality of entries led to intense debate amongst the judges, which is how it should be. Pudsey Grangefield School shows that the right resources and approach can produce great projects which we can be proud of. Our thanks go to everyone involved for being willing to invest their time and energy in a project which ensures pupils and teachers have such an inspirational centre to learn, play and teach in.”
Ken Cornforth and his colleagues have created something really impressive at Pudsey Grangefield and they are building brilliant learning in this brilliant learning place.
Chris
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