Heads Blog - Week ending 2nd December 2011

The week started with the second of three professional development days with Professor John West Burnham (see Blog 18/11/11). I am very appreciative of the opportunity to have my leadership challenged by a colleague with such integrity and intellect. Not all the exercises were comfortable, as we looked at how the combination of confidence, credibility, competence and consistency combined to create the outcomes of my leadership, however it was a really worthwhile opportunity to reflect on my leadership for the future. The third and final day is in the new year.

 

 

There’s no point hiding that Tuesday was a significant birthday with a zero on the end; as my son helpfully pointed out, I was now closer to being 100 than I am to my birth. I am very grateful for the kindness and generosity of so many of my colleagues during the day; I suspect the office full of balloons was the work of Mrs Blackley, but I remain unclear as to who is responsible for all the Saga information coming my way. For the rest of our school community it was business as usual, so I took the opportunity to visit more Maths lessons

 

We were delighted to welcome local business ‘MTa Learning’ into our school to make a training film with some of our students. MTa are best known for designing and developing practical leadership and teamwork training packages for adults, but we can see the potential for work in our school. The morning involved a diverse range of students from years 7, 8, 9 and 10 as well as a group of 3 teachers in tackling a variety of interactive challenges.  MTa Learning provided fantastic training materials which enabled each team to solve problems including the ‘tallest tower’ and ‘crossing the minefield’.  We already have some of the materials in school and MTa are partnering with us to make sure that we are able to make best use of them.

In a conversation with the CEO of MTa, Martin Thompson, it was great to hear our young people described as ‘inspirational’. He was very impressed with the way they all approached the morning and their enthusiasm to learn.

       

 

With the NUT, NASUWT, ATL, GMB and Unison, all calling their members out on a national day of action as a protest against the Coalition Government’s pension reforms I had to close school on Wednesday. This was not a decision made in ‘sympathy’ with the strike, but one made with consideration to the safety of our young people when so few adults would be on site. Whenever we have unusual circumstances, whether it be national strike or extreme weather my default position, once I am assured of our ability to secure the safety of our school community, is always to keep us open and functioning. I was not able to do this on Wednesday.

 

It was lovely to welcome Graham Bucktrout back into school this week. Graham’s late wife, Liz, was an outstanding professional with us, and fought a courageous battle against cancer. Graham brought with him another bench in her memory, which we have placed beside the first. On Friday morning the Leaders of Bucktrout House were able to have the first formal sit. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Bucktrout family; Emma Hammond and Nathan Curtis, the Head Girl and Boy of Bucktrout House, will be writing to Graham today.

 

 

On Thursday evening we had two events. The first was a Year 12 and 13 Subject Consultation Evening. We are always appreciative of the way that our families find time to engage in a dialogue around learning. It is in this way that we can sustain and improve upon the good standard of achievements in our our Sixth Form.

 

Also on Thursday we had the second full Governing Body meeting of the year, which was addressed by Pat Toner who, after the demise of Education Leeds, retains a significant leadership role within education for Leeds. He was measured and well informed in his comments, allowing Governors to continue in a useful debate after he left. The changes Mr Gove is bringing into education are significant, and this type of informed debate is really important if we are to be sure to continue to meet the needs of the communities that we serve.

 

Next Wednesday, 7 December, it is late night shopping in Boston Spa, and I wish every success to our Glee Club, led by Mrs Mawtus, who will be singing on the High Street from 6.30pm. I hope you enjoy the evening.