I am glad that I am not alone in thinking that the National Challenge is mechanistic, simplistic and superficial...

I have been working on school improvement for over twenty years and I know some people will ask why haven't we cracked it and already delivered brilliant learning and fantastic outcomes everywhere. I wish it were that easy...

What we haven't tackled or cracked is poverty, deprivation, worklessness and the common factors that conspire against us and prevent young people achieving good outcomes however hard we work. I have also learned from countless school visits over the years that talented colleagues here in Leeds and amazing colleagues up and down the country are releasing the magic and driving up standards and outcomes in some of the most challenging contexts.

Interestingly reading the Times Educational Supplement over the last couple of months it's encouraging to know that they have carried out similar research to us and learned what we all already know...that many of the schools where 'radical measures' are needed are achieving fantastic results when you look more intelligently at their outcomes. Several of our 'National Challenge' schools have received letters from ministers congratulating them on being among the most improved and most effective schools in the country. These schools are now being told that they may be closed. Where on earth is the intelligent accountability?

We are also told that the 'National Challenge' brings additional and very welcome additional resources to these schools. Think what we could do if each of these schools working in areas of poverty, deprivation, worklessness, crime and ill-health recieved their fair share of the additional money. However in our political world where the answer is academies and super-consultants we are likely to end up with more people telling us that they know all the answers. If so, why aren't they with us already on the front line working in challenging authorities and these schools making a real difference?

Those of us who have spent our lives at the front line know the real answers lie where they have always been...

• strong, disciplined, focused and passionate leadership;
• clear, shared vision, values and beliefs;
• talented, energetic, enthusiastic and creative teaching teams;
• empowered, trusted and disciplined colleagues;
• brilliant teaching supported by strong assessment for learning;
  
• stimulating, exciting and engaging curriculum pathways;
• powerful, stimulating and interesting learning environments;
• high self-esteem and high expectations of everyone;
• strong, dynamic and meaningful coaching relationships;
• high engagement and involvement of young people;
• positive engagement and involvement of parents and carers.

My answers to the challenges we face? Radically reduce the number of people who work for the DCSF, Government Office, National Strategies, National College for School Leadership and all the other quangos and bits of the empire. Cut down on meetings. Trust and invest in local authorities and schools as the front line of an attack on poverty, deprivation, worklessness and under-achievement.

Of course in a world where appearing tough and delivering soundbites is seen as important, these things don't matter and sadly it will never happen.
Chris