Curriedflavouredflipproductions

The bottom line is....

"Be a leader of something outstanding. Do not settle for managing something in a average way."

Me

For this year I am invited to see various OFSTED rated Outstanding schools. I cannot film students in their schools as there is totally no need for this. I can report back excellent facilities. It is not the facilities that make a school outstanding. It is the whole calm joined up way these institutions operate that is impressive.

Notre Dame, Sheffield



Let me tell you, the number one trait of an outstanding schools is excellent BEHAVIOUR of the students. Too many times I have been in schools and learning is hampered by poor behaviour. Even worse, the members of staff who have to work in this environment can be praised for putting up with rubbish, however, the truth to be told, it is not an acceptable way to pass a day. It is physically draining and demoralising. Particularly as the key reason why we are in schools is to encourage learning.

The second most desirable trait about an Outstanding school is their results. Achievement is always over 80% of whatever is being measured. Anything less than 80%is totally unacceptable. It must be 80% across the school.

The third desirable trait is the way you observe students and staff tackling functional problems using the following skills toolkit:

Complexity
Familiarity
Technical demand
Independence

You will see high order thinking skills, using the above in outstanding schools. It could be a reason why the environment is calmer for the students are actively engaged, rather than fighting for basic attention and other survival needs.

Heres a tip, beware of schools that uses the word outstanding in their literature profile, when they know it is only aspects of certain departments that are outstanding not the whole school.
For those who are stuck in underperforming schools, I would urge that you have a personal health check. For the stress of these schools can make one ill after awhile.

Remember this film?

'To Sir with Love' starring Sidney Poitier all the way from the 60s?