Our schools are on the brink of being transformed by learning technologies...
Our children live in an enthusiastic, animated and passionate world; a digital world of YouTube, PS, Wii, DS and much, much more... and schools sadly lag behind with many of us still chasing whiteboards, workstations and suites. But how do we do this? I know that schools like Robin Hood Primary School and Pudsey Grangefield are leading the way with this.
Answers on a postcard.
Chris
Friday, 3 October 2008
Awards for Governors
The National Governors' Association has introduced a new set of awards to recognise brilliant governors...
The new awards are aimed at recognising governors who have excelled in challenging circumstances, pioneered new and innovative ways of working or run brilliant projects. Do we know of anyone worth nominating? You can nominate a governor on the NGA website at www.nga.org.uk.
Chris
The new awards are aimed at recognising governors who have excelled in challenging circumstances, pioneered new and innovative ways of working or run brilliant projects. Do we know of anyone worth nominating? You can nominate a governor on the NGA website at www.nga.org.uk.
Chris
I managed to get to the Elmete and Blenheim Centres this morning...
I have been so busy that I haven't managed to get to see the colleagues based there as often as I would like. However, I was struck during my visits by the amazing colleagues who I work with; their enthusiasm, passion, commitment, creativity, imagination and sheer hard work shone out as they talked to me about new courses and materials, schools and colleagues and the difference we are making.
It is such a privilege to work with such talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful people who are releasing so much magic across Leeds.
Chris
I have been so busy that I haven't managed to get to see the colleagues based there as often as I would like. However, I was struck during my visits by the amazing colleagues who I work with; their enthusiasm, passion, commitment, creativity, imagination and sheer hard work shone out as they talked to me about new courses and materials, schools and colleagues and the difference we are making.
It is such a privilege to work with such talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful people who are releasing so much magic across Leeds.
Chris
I was really sad that a colleague I have known and respected for the last seven years decided to resign this week...
Liz Bisson, who was headteacher at Parklands Girls High School in Seacroft, decided to go after spending significant part of her professional life at the school. Liz was fiercely proud and independent, a thoughtful, dedicated and passionate colleague who cared deeply about Parklands and the hugely significant contribution it made to the young women it served, their families and the community.
Personally, in this crazy world of the National Challenge, I will miss Liz and the considerable contribution she made to learning and achievement, in its widest and most important sense, here in Leeds.
Chris
Liz Bisson, who was headteacher at Parklands Girls High School in Seacroft, decided to go after spending significant part of her professional life at the school. Liz was fiercely proud and independent, a thoughtful, dedicated and passionate colleague who cared deeply about Parklands and the hugely significant contribution it made to the young women it served, their families and the community.
Personally, in this crazy world of the National Challenge, I will miss Liz and the considerable contribution she made to learning and achievement, in its widest and most important sense, here in Leeds.
Chris
I was contacted by my colleague Georgina Winterburn, headteacher at Roundhay St John's CE Primary School...
"Good afternoon Chris If I tell you about some successes we're having first, can I then have a great big moan?
Success: We have been "consulting with stakeholders" using some of the TDA school improvement stuff and it has really helped us to be focussed and get to the root of what we need to do. It has also highlighted to me the difference it makes when staff are involved, I know it's a cliche but having ownership works. I'm feeling really positive about how things are going and am excited for our future.
Moan: Please can someone do something about emails? Everyday I get emails to me, not the secretary, but ones to me that should be going to subject leaders. Why can't Education Leeds staff stop being lazy by just using the headteacher email list to send info, but get the email addresses of the relevant staff. Everytime people go on courses they are asked to give their email address so why aren't they used? Forwarding emails is using up too much headteacher time. If you can affect change at all in this area I would be forever grateful .... honest.
In the meantime, have a good weekend with plenty of red wine and dark chocolate. Georgina"
Georgina is right, as always, that ownership, empowerment and trust are the keys to success. We do need to help headteachers by routing materials to colleagues in schools rather than clogging up headteachers inboxes. Any suggestions as to how we do this would be welcome.
Chris
"Good afternoon Chris If I tell you about some successes we're having first, can I then have a great big moan?
Success: We have been "consulting with stakeholders" using some of the TDA school improvement stuff and it has really helped us to be focussed and get to the root of what we need to do. It has also highlighted to me the difference it makes when staff are involved, I know it's a cliche but having ownership works. I'm feeling really positive about how things are going and am excited for our future.
Moan: Please can someone do something about emails? Everyday I get emails to me, not the secretary, but ones to me that should be going to subject leaders. Why can't Education Leeds staff stop being lazy by just using the headteacher email list to send info, but get the email addresses of the relevant staff. Everytime people go on courses they are asked to give their email address so why aren't they used? Forwarding emails is using up too much headteacher time. If you can affect change at all in this area I would be forever grateful .... honest.
In the meantime, have a good weekend with plenty of red wine and dark chocolate. Georgina"
Georgina is right, as always, that ownership, empowerment and trust are the keys to success. We do need to help headteachers by routing materials to colleagues in schools rather than clogging up headteachers inboxes. Any suggestions as to how we do this would be welcome.
Chris
I heard from one of my favourite schools this week. My colleagues Jane Fisher sent me this...
"Dear Chris, Just a quick update on all the exciting things happening here! I have redone the long term planning for Year 2 and we are putting SEAL at the heart of it...it's an experiment... but so far the children are really enjoying their learning experience. We also have some new have done lots of work on new school rules. Hope you enjoy the updates on my site.. Jane"
You can visit the wonderful Hovingham Primary School website at http://www.super-school.co.uk/ and it's well worth the visit. I know that Jane would be really pleased if people did take a look and maybe share some feedback which she could pass on to her children.
Chris
"Dear Chris, Just a quick update on all the exciting things happening here! I have redone the long term planning for Year 2 and we are putting SEAL at the heart of it...it's an experiment... but so far the children are really enjoying their learning experience. We also have some new have done lots of work on new school rules. Hope you enjoy the updates on my site.. Jane"
You can visit the wonderful Hovingham Primary School website at http://www.super-school.co.uk/ and it's well worth the visit. I know that Jane would be really pleased if people did take a look and maybe share some feedback which she could pass on to her children.
Chris
Nomination for National Aimhigher Awards Scheme
My colleague Ken Campbell who heads up our Stepping Stones project let me know about another of our successes...
Dinneka Smillie was nominated in the 6th Form Aimhigher Learner category for the 2008 National Aimhigher Awards Scheme... and she won! There were over 130 entries in total, and so being chosen as a winner is a wonderful celebration of and recognition of the quality of Ken's work and the high level of involvement Education Leeds has with the Aimhigher programme. Dinneka and her grandad went to the awards ceremony on the evening of 1st October in London, where she received her award from the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Right Honourable John Denham MP. Dinneka was also presented with a signed certificate on the evening, and had the opportunity to meet others who are involved in the Aimhigher programme.
Dinneka has been mentored by Andrew Edwards host of BBC Radio Leeds 'Breakfast Show' and she is a brilliant advert for the City of Leeds, mentoring, AimHigher and the work we are all doing to promote and develop our fantastic young people... she is simply magic!
Chris
Dinneka Smillie was nominated in the 6th Form Aimhigher Learner category for the 2008 National Aimhigher Awards Scheme... and she won! There were over 130 entries in total, and so being chosen as a winner is a wonderful celebration of and recognition of the quality of Ken's work and the high level of involvement Education Leeds has with the Aimhigher programme. Dinneka and her grandad went to the awards ceremony on the evening of 1st October in London, where she received her award from the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Right Honourable John Denham MP. Dinneka was also presented with a signed certificate on the evening, and had the opportunity to meet others who are involved in the Aimhigher programme.
Dinneka has been mentored by Andrew Edwards host of BBC Radio Leeds 'Breakfast Show' and she is a brilliant advert for the City of Leeds, mentoring, AimHigher and the work we are all doing to promote and develop our fantastic young people... she is simply magic!
Chris
My colleague Andrew Hodkinson who heads up the West Oaks SILC sent me this e-mail...
Dear Chris, I have just got back from London and attach an extract from our weekly newsletter to staff; which I thought you might be interested in. Kind regards Andrew.
"Travelling back on the train from London last night gives you plenty of time to reflect on your and others practice. I have attended the Leading Edge National Conference and Impact and Innovation awards ceremony in London. There are 218 Leading edge partnerships ( LEPP) in the country involving some 800+ schools. Leading edge was established in 2003 to encourage schools to work in partnership to solve some of the most intractable problems in education. LEPP consultant heads were asked to nominate any partnership that stood out for them this year. LEPP wanted to recognise some of the outstanding work that is taking place and selected schools who have been particularly innovative and had clear impact in raising achievement across their partnership. Amazingly; West Oaks were one of the 24 Impact and Innovation winners and in a group dominated by southern partnerships we are clearly proud. This is yet another fantastic achievement for the school and in particular Jane Harrison who has developed and driven this project. Well done also to Oakwood PRU, Oakwood Primary, Parklands Primary, Shakespeare Primary, Seacroft Grange, Kulvinder Kaur, Preeti Mistry and Peter Galvin who have all contributed to this fantastic achievement."
There is so much brilliant work going on across Leeds and it is great to see some of it, and the contributions of great colleagues and great schools, acknowledged and celebrated in this way .
Chris
Dear Chris, I have just got back from London and attach an extract from our weekly newsletter to staff; which I thought you might be interested in. Kind regards Andrew.
"Travelling back on the train from London last night gives you plenty of time to reflect on your and others practice. I have attended the Leading Edge National Conference and Impact and Innovation awards ceremony in London. There are 218 Leading edge partnerships ( LEPP) in the country involving some 800+ schools. Leading edge was established in 2003 to encourage schools to work in partnership to solve some of the most intractable problems in education. LEPP consultant heads were asked to nominate any partnership that stood out for them this year. LEPP wanted to recognise some of the outstanding work that is taking place and selected schools who have been particularly innovative and had clear impact in raising achievement across their partnership. Amazingly; West Oaks were one of the 24 Impact and Innovation winners and in a group dominated by southern partnerships we are clearly proud. This is yet another fantastic achievement for the school and in particular Jane Harrison who has developed and driven this project. Well done also to Oakwood PRU, Oakwood Primary, Parklands Primary, Shakespeare Primary, Seacroft Grange, Kulvinder Kaur, Preeti Mistry and Peter Galvin who have all contributed to this fantastic achievement."
There is so much brilliant work going on across Leeds and it is great to see some of it, and the contributions of great colleagues and great schools, acknowledged and celebrated in this way .
Chris
Thursday, 2 October 2008
I went to Wykebeck Primary School this morning...
As we walked around, Jenny Millington, the new headteacher, talked to me about her hopes and dreams for her school which is serving an exceptionally challenging community. Several staff talked to me about the culture and ethos Jenny has nurtured at the school; which was very evident. The school's greatest asset must be its children who were sparky, open, friendly and interested. This is a happy, safe and civilised little community and I know that Jenny and her team will be working to make it even more successful.
Chris
Chris
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
We agreed today to work with Stockholm and Helsinki on an exciting three cities initiative...
The first international conference will be in Stockholm in early March 2009. We aim to start at midday on Monday 2 March, spend all day Tuesday together and finish Tuesday evening with the possibility of a longer stay to visit and shadow. A second meeting will be held in Helsinki w/b 21 September. This will be planned for a week and we will meet again in Leeds w/b 8 March 2010.
We need to develop a long term sustainable initiative perhaps over three years focused around leadership for tomorrow and the power of technology in shaping learning and provision for young people. We all agreed that we need to prepare a group of schools and agree with them the detailed objectives and outcomes from the programme.
Exciting times! We are hoping to get five schools, including at least one primary school and one post-16 setting, involved in this initiative so if anyone is interested please let me know.
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