At the Education Leeds Board yesterday we looked at the new Strategic Plan and the importance of understanding that our job is to build brilliant. We all need to be passionately engaged, have a sense of purpose and agree what are the shared values that shape the work we are doing here at Education Leeds. We need to balance our individual needs, our team needs and the needs of the various communities we serve and it is never easy. We also have to acknowledge and recognise that we are all basically selfish and that whatever we do our lives start with us, our needs and wants and those of people closest to us. However, the really positive piece of the jigsaw puzzle is that all the research suggests that we are all searching for something bigger, some higher purpose and that we are all ultimately decent people wanting to make a difference.

I am convinced that much of life is a self–fulfilling prophecy and that if you think the best of colleagues and show it they will most often prove you right. Interestingly, if you trust people and believe that most people can be relied on colleagues will most often live up to your expectations. My approach has always been that we all have a magic and a talent that simply needs to be released.

I mean who wouldn't want to be part of what we are doing in Leeds. We are a unique and very special team and everyone who gets to know us really well says that. I know that optimists are always prey to disappointment but life without hope and being positive about the future is no real life at all.

Be your brilliant best and surprise yourself.

Chris

"Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow."
William Pollard

I spent a couple of hours with Valerie Hannon, colleagues from the Innovation Unit and a select group of Directors of Children's Services having lunch at the Commonwealth Club in London. Charles Leadbeater talked to a paper he had written on 'New Platforms for Learning' which really connected with what we are doing here in Leeds. He connected three key elements: leadership, capacity building and empowerment across three platforms... schools, colleges and children's centres, families and neighbourhoods and learning across the community. He was challenging some of the basic assumptions that underpin our learning systems:

• where learning takes place;
• who we learn from;
• when we learn;
• how we learn;
  
• how our learning is monitored and assessed;
• how our learning is funded;
• who sets the standards;
• how we are supported as learners.

It was a stimulating session and I hope Charles will come to Leeds in the New Year to see what we are doing at the cutting edge of innovation and helps us take it further.
Chris

I was sorry to have missed this year's Christmas Carol Concert at the Town Hall but really grateful that some kind soul sent me a copy of the CD which I have been playing in my car. Everyone told me how good the concert was this year and it is wonderful to be able to sing along.
Chris

I heard on the radio this morning that my favourite author, Terry Pratchett, has a rare form of Alzheimer's...

I have read all his books and love the Discworld novels. He used to produce a novel every year, usually in time for a good Christmas read, but he hasn't been writing as much recently. Let's hope that he continues to write for a long time yet!
Chris

I am going to London for a meeting and lunch with colleagues from the Innovations Unit...

The session is called "The Next Education: New Platforms for Learning". I'll let you know what I learn!
Chris

It was Leslie Wagner's last Education Leeds Board meeting yesterday and last night we all went out for a meal to say thank you to Leslie for steering Education Leeds over the last four interesting and challenging years. We will miss his focus and clarity, his advice and support and his good humour and honesty.
Chris

I am sitting on a train heading towards London using my new Eee PC...

It is an amazing little machine. Everyone should have one!
Chris

I had lunch yesterday with Tim Pearson and Ian Todd from RM...

RM are our strategic ICT partner within the Building Schools for the Future programme. They have already helped us arrange visits by Stephen Hepple and Tim Brighouse and we are keen to do some 'blue sky' thinking about learners, learning and learning places of the future. This is an exciting, creative and innovative partnership which will really add value to what we are doing here in Leeds.

You can find out more about RM by visiting their website at http://www.rm.com/.
Chris

The Government wants to make this country the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up...

The Children’s Plan sets out how the Department for Children, Schools and Families is going to achieve that – by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything we do. Five principles underpin the Children’s Plan:

• government does not bring up children – parents do – so
  government needs to do more to back parents and families;
• all children have the potential to succeed and should go as
  far as their talents can take them;
• children and young people need to enjoy their childhood as
  well as grow up prepared for adult life;
• services need to be shaped by and responsive to children,
  young people and families, not designed around professional
  boundaries; and
• it is always better to prevent failure than tackle a crisis late.

You can download the full Children's Plan or a summary at the DCSF website at www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/childrensplan.
Chris

The Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service (GRTAS) in Leeds has launched it's new website. It's for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, those that work with them and those that wish to find out more about these fascinating communities...

The team were formerly the Travellers Education Service (TES) but have changed their name to reflect the nature of their business more accurately. The site is recommended by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. You can visit the site at www.gypsyromatravellerleeds.co.uk.
Chris