We are 'painting by numbers' in a world monitored, policed and controlled by the 'bean' counters and the 'keep within the line' checkers and the 'weigh the pig' consultants and we are trapped in a viscious spiral of negativity, of it's not good enough so let's do something else, of let's create another intiative, of let's get more consultants and of let's make sure that we find someone to blame. ...

These are dangerous times for those of us who understand the learning process. I have said it so many times, 'command and control doesn't work' and sadly all you get as aresult is mediocre outcomes and millions wasted on initiatives that make little or no real long term difference to outcomes for our children and young people. What really, really matters is the quality of the leadership and quality of the learning teams in our schools and the quality of the local services supporting our brilliant learning places. To achieve transformational outcomes and to release the magic we need colleagues in schools facing the greatest challenges to feel trusted, empowered and supported!

We really need to reflect, think and get back to basics... vision, discipline, focus, passion, engagement, relationships and leadership. Let us nurture and support our learning teams to ensure that they deliver for our children and young people and let's take the best of what we do here in Leeds and learn from the best practice nationally, from Reggio Emilia, from Sweden and Finland and Denmark and from anywhere else that will help us to build brilliant local provision.
Chris