15th December 2010 - Last Gig Of The Year...

The M6 is one of my least favourite motorways but having Offerton School in Stockport at the end of the journey made it all worthwhile.  I was with a wonderful group of year 11 students for the day delivering Super Speed Study Skills with the added bonus of working with some passionate teachers.

Student Feedback
"I found it very enjoyable and I actually think that Mindmaps could be useful and this wasn't the case beforehand". - Aaron
"I thought these two hours were very inspiring and I learnt a lot from it. It was fun!" - Bekka
"It was really enjoyable, everyone was joining in and it felt really relaxed. I now understand how to revise effectively." - Jessica
"It was really fun, everyone was having a good time and we know how to revise." - Rachel
"Given me more ideas for fun revision and motivated me to try my best." - Deena
"Learnt loads of facts and new ideas for fun revision and exam planning." - Ellen

Teacher Feedback
"Reiterated and reinforced study skills often covered by staff in the school.  Always useful to have someone from "outside" to do this." - Richard Leak
"Session left the majority of C/D borderline group actively engaged for the whole afternoon.  I am sure that having seen Mindmaps before, that students are convinced of their learning value". - John O'Gorman

8th December 2010 - Close To Home At Abbeyfield...

It is always a pleasure to work with Northamptonshire schools!  It means little travel and working with students in my home town!  Abbeyfield is a school I have worked with for a number of years and was also one of the first schools I worked with after starting my Positively MAD journey.  Naturally I was delighted to be invited back by Head of Work Related Learning Wayne Jones to work with year 10 and deliver Goal Mapping.  The students were impeccably behaved on the day and the group included some year 7 students who visited the one session to taste goal setting for an hour.  They were also a credit to themselves.

Goal Mapping is a wonderful programmes where students can really start to make a plan for their futures and they all enjoyed the day giving the following feedback;

"I enjoyed myself, it was good to learn things and prepare myself for the future." - Josh
"Not boring, interesting and helpful." - Courtney
"I thought it was brilliant to help me get my grades and get the job I want." - Ashley
"Fun, factual, interesting, helpful." - Rhys
"(Mark was) very confident, excellent information and connected to the students really well." - Brandon
"Excellent explanation. Gave me a reason to be what I want to be and a very good reason to have a dream." - Ubachukwu

26th November 2010 - A Visit To The Oxford School...

Here is a report from Positively MAD's website news section (http://www.positivelymad.com/blog/) on my recent trip to Oxford. 

Positively MAD’s Mark Kennedy is gradually building a strong reputation as a deliverer of high-impacting and hugely entertaining courses. Schools have been writing in to us to thank us for the work that Mark has done, praising his fun and entertaining style.  Mark was in Oxford recently, delivering Exam busters and the Hooks, Lines and Thinkers English courses to Year 10 and year 11 students.

The teachers who observed the sessions noted how responsive they were to Mark’s delivery manner: “The students were focused and interested,” commented Deliah Wilkinson of Oxford School, adding, “They were engaged and asked lots of relevant questions to support their learning.”
Here is the collated feedback for the events delivered at Oxford School:

Exam Busters
Teacher comments (How did this event benefit your students?)
“There were so many different approaches to revision that would suit everyone. The techniques worked – this was really obvious at the end when they recalled the Walt Disney Facts. Excellent!! Thank you.” (Karen Dix)

Student comments (based on random sample of 5 students)
5 Stars
“Very entertaining and clever. Tried to involve everyone with GREAT techniques.” (Bartosz C)
“It was funny and entertaining and I learned a lot from it.” (John B)
“Interesting, active, helpful, fun!” (Bonny)
“Fun, interesting and helpful.” (Thomasina)
“Friendly, helpful, interesting, fun.” (Josie)

Hooks, Lines & Thinkers English

Teacher comments (How did this event benefit your students?)
“‘Focused’ – students were focused and interested. Students engaged and asked lots of relevant questions to support their learning.” (Deliah Wilkinson)

Student comments (based on random sample of students)

“I really enjoyed learning new ways to revise, and finding out ways to tackle exams and get through without panicking.” (Saima)
“It was really fun and quite interesting and has helped me learn new skills for revising.” (Ashraful)
“It was fun/funny and I actually learned from it. Would have been a 5, but in total FOUR HOURS!!” (Ellia)
“Helped me a lot. Was fun and interesting at the same time. A lot of information. Friendly teacher.” (Olivia)

19th November 2010 - A Lovely End To The Week In Canterbury...

A busy week ended with a pleasurable trip to Barton Court Grammar School in Canterbury.  The morning session with year 10, I witnessed some of the most mature and focused students who have attended Super Speed Study Skills.  The high achieving students embraced the techniques in the session and worked extremely hard and at the end gave the following comments;

"I really could relate to everything said, excellent day!" (5 stars) - Josh

"I thought it was interesting and I think I will use the things I have learnt in the future." (5 stars) - Lucy

After lunch, it was the turn of year 11 to display their focus and they were a real credit to themselves and the school.  With exams just around the corner, Exam Busters was well received;

"This was brilliant, it was so interesting 10 star rating out of 5......" - George

"Good, helped me learn new methods and techniques for approaching the exam. Plus it was great fun." (5 stars) - Peter

"Mark made everything interesting and fun." (5 stars) - Georgina

Year head Richard Morgan also added "This was brilliant, they will be ready for their exams in January".

16th November 2010 - A Day With Aldersley's Year 11...

The whole of Aldersley High School in Wolverhampton's year 11 was a real pleasure.  The school had dedicated a number of days to giving the students an insight of what lays ahead in the future and on 16th November, they all became Positively MAD.

The morning was focused on coping with exam stress with Exam Busters, thanks to a slightly longer session, students got to practice their techniques in depth and thoroughly enjoyed participating, giving the following comments;

After lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to setting goals for the future with the Aiming Higher session.  Students took part in a range of mind over matter exercises and created positive thoughts and feelings ahead of constructing their Goal Maps.  Teacher Lisa Wood who organised all the events commented, "The memory techniques were great.  At break, students said how much they enjoyed them and would find them useful."

"The techniques Mark gave us were very effective and fun learning. I found it helped a lot." (4 stars) - Charlotte
"Very helpful and effective, whilst having fun at the same time, brilliant." - (5 stars) - Robert
"I learnt a lot. The brain training skills made us laugh, it was fun." (5 stars) - Jamie
"Learn effective revision techniques that work, fun and involved students. Great day." (5 stars) - Emily
"Better than normal lessons." (5 stars) - Joseph

15th November 2010 - King Edward in Sheffield...

The best way to kick off a cold Monday morning is to work with a lively bunch of year 11 students and that is exactly what was the order of the day at King Edward VII in Sheffield.  The old school hall still displayed its original features from the late 19th century as the rest of the school is currently undergoing a complete rebuild.

Two groups of 60 students enjoyed Exam Busters in morning and afternoon sessions.  Teacher Chris Wadsworth commented, "The message was put across in an effective and alternative way."  The students enjoyed joining in the activities and there was no shortage of volunteers;

"Very good and enjoyable session, everything was really well planned." (5 stars) - Max

"Made it easier to understand the programme and is lively." (5 stars) - Melvin

9th November 2010 - Study Skills and Exam Busters in North Shropshire...

Ellesmere College was a beautiful setting for an autumn day in early November.  The private education establishment welcomes students from all over the world.  The day started with Exam Busters to the whole of year 11, all of whom participated in all the activities and were extremely positive about the challenge laying ahead.  Students gave the following feedback;

"It was a fun exciting morning and a real help" - Berwyn

"It can help me with my revision a lot and it was fun" - Sam

After lunch, it was the turn of year 10 to work through Super Speed Study Skills, again showing genuine enthusiasm and maturity throughout.  Teacher Mr Coats commented, "This will help to improve study skills by using different means."  The students also commented;

"Very useful information, taught with a good system." - Gideon

"It proved to me that I really can learn a lot in a really short period of time." - James

"It was explained very well and wasn't boring because Mark broke up the information with fun activities which helped my concentration." - Peter

"It was very good and it helped me to understand how to Mindmap, Speed Read and how good my memory is." - Jonny

"I think it will really help my revision." - Cam

3rd November - Inspiring Achievement Awards Nominee...

It was a great honour to be nominated for the Connexions Inspiring Achievement Awards 2010.  The awards ceremony took place at the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough on Wednesday 3rd November and I was extremely proud when Positively MAD popped up on the screen as the nominations were being read out.

There were some major companies in Northants present including Waitrose, Morrisons, Cummings so to be shortlisted within my first year of my Positively MAD journey is an extremely proud moment indeed, 

Many thanks to all the schools and organisations that have given me great feedback and encouragement over the past year, here's to many more great relationships.

22nd October 2010 - Goals With The Girls...

Half term arrived with a local visit to Northampton School for Girls to work with Year 10 students on Goal Mapping.  Denton Mapessa commented on how much the students enjoyed the sessions and the students added the following;

“Very well presented, found it very helpful. Very polite and nice man. Points were very useful.”

“Really nice guy, good presentation. Makes you think and helps with decisions that you have to make in later life.”

“It was really good and we did interesting things and learnt different things. Oh yeah, the videos were funny!.”

“I really enjoyed what we talked about and found it really interesting. Wish we had these lessons on normal school days.”

“I think it was a good lesson, really enjoyed it and it made me think about my goals and attitude for the future.”

“It was really good fun and I’ve learnt a lot for the future and I know what I want to do and achieve.”

“Today I really enjoyed the lesson, I realised what I really want and what I need to do to help me get there.”

“Today was well good and it gave me positive tips for when I feel negative. I’m gonna write my goals down from now on.”

“It went really well and I enjoyed creating the sheet at the end (Goal Map).”

20th October 2010 - Goal At Hagley High...

On this day I met some extremely mature year 8 students and worked with them on Goal Mapping.  It was encouraging to see students only just entering their teens actually really thinking about their futures.  Majella O'Loughlin commented, "Our pupils has a clear understanding about how to use the Goal Map and they really enjoyed the session."

7th October 2010 - Interviews At William Parker...

It was a pleasure to make my first visit to William Parker in Daventry to work with Year 11 students in a mock interview situation.  The year was split into small groups and whilst one student was being interviewed, the others observed and offered feedback.  All five groups I worked with were an absolute pleasure and it would have been tough to make a choice as to who I would employ.

14th October 2010 - Fun Day At Small Heath...

It was all happening at Small Heath in Birmingham on 14th October!  The whole school were on an off timetable day and I met up with fellow presenter Rachel Eltham to deliver Exam Busters to Year 11 in the morning and then we split the 6th Form in the afternoon to work with the students on Goal Mapping.

Vicky Horne, Head of Health & Social Care commented, "I think this will help students to focus more on their studies and their ambitions."

Aeman Ahmed added, "The session was clear and supportive, a very interesting way of guiding pupils and made them realise that if they hadn't already set goals, it is now time to do it."

13th October 2010 - Lovely North Lincs...

A cross country drive was rewarded with a wonderful day at King Edward VI Grammar in Louth.  The year 10 students I met here were amongst some of the most mature and respectful I have ever met.  The whole school was very welcoming and staff also enjoyed the Super Speed Study Skills day. 

Amanda Beane commented, "I have to say that Mark was absolutely fantastic, he engaged the students completely, presented an incredible amount of information in an informative and entertaining manner and tied the whole thing up with a brilliant plenary.  The students were so interested and absorbed they behaved excellently the whole way through and participated with great enthusiasm.  Highly recommended - thank you Mark."

...and thank you for the kind comments Amanda, they mean so much!

11th October 2010 - Wales Again...

A Monday trip to Olchfa School in Swansea was a pleasure and well worth the long journey to work with the whole of Year 10 delivering Super Speed Study Skills.  Dave Thomas, Learning Leader stated, "The pupils were engaged and active.  Hopefully they will use the skills in preparation for their exams."

6th October 2010 - Prince William Study Skills...

Another local day at Prince William School in Oundle to deliver Super Speed Study Skills to all Year 10 students.  Assistant head of Year 11 Rob Perkins commented, "This impacted on the staff (as well as the students) who would implement some of the techniques in lessons.  We always use the techniques in PDP sessions in the lead up to mock/GCSE exams."

5th October 2010 - Abbeyfield with Jay...

It is always a pleasure to work with a fellow Posmad presenter, especially one with such experience.  I joined Jay Shirley at Abbeyfield School in Northampton to deliver Super Speed Study Skills to a selection of 6th formers.  It is always wonderful to work with Abbeyfield, a school I have been involved with for many years and a school that has come along way since its complete refurbishment.  I will return in December to work with year 10.

1st October 2010 - Back To Wales...

A lovely trip to the Valleys and a wonderful drive through some beautiful countryside to visit the Penweddig School in Aberyswyth to deliver Super Speed Study Skills to Year 10 and Exam Busters to Year 10 and 13.  A delightful school with wonderful students and teachers.

Head of Year 13, Alexis Bernard commented, "The students were thoroughly engaged and were surprised some of the techniques (because of their simplicity) and this has given them confidence in the short term.  Long term it will be up to us as staff to revisit these techniques in our teaching".

15th September 2010 - Super Speed Study Skills at Oxford Academy...

Three lively groups of year 11 students at the Oxford Academy enjoyed Super Speed Study Skills, learning a range of study aids and memory techniques.  The school commented that the section on Speed Reading and Mindmapping were the best techniques of the day, students got a chance to design their own Mindmaps at the end of each session.

14th September 2010 - King Charles Goal Mapping...

The first Goal Mapping session of the new academic year was well received by year 11 students at King Charles School in Kidderminster.  The school commented, "This was a great session which helped students to decide about future goals and the importance of this in school life and beyond."

The students in attendance enjoyed the day and comments included;

"Really enjoyable day, I now finally have an idea about my future career and choices in life"
"I enjoyed it and it reinforced what I already thought"
"It has really inspired me"
"Cheers for getting me motivated"
"Excellent and motivating session"
"It made me really think about my future"
"This was really worth attending"
"This was a brilliant session and Mark was awesome"
"I feel like I can do a lot more and I should just go for what I want"
"Was very useful and informative"
"Inspiring, mind provoking and fun"
"Woo, loved it"
"Mark was funny, witty and gave us lots of useful information"
"It was fun but we also learned a lot"

13th September 2010 - Study Skills at Campion...

It is always a pleasure to visit Campion School in Northamptonshire with engaged students and passionate teachers, it is always a enjoyable session.  The new sixth form had spent a week settling in before attended a one hour Study Skills session and they were keen to participate in the techniques on offer.

Deputy 6th Form Head Michelle Breeze commented, "The students were extremely focused and involved which would suggest they were concentrating hard and would use the input later."

8th September 2010 - Exam Busting in Shepton Mallet...

Next stop was the lovely surroundings of Shepton Mallet and Whitstone Community College.  The year 11 group in attendance had already experience Super Speed Study Skills a year ago so this time it was the turn of Exam Busters to help the prepare for the year ahead.  First off, a quick recall of some of the information from the previous session in which students shocked themselves at what they could remember. 

The deputy head commented "Some useful well pitched techniques to improve exams chances.  The memory techniques were very impressive, Mark did a great job."

7th September 2010 - Cardiff Tour Part Two...

The two day visit to Cardiff was concluded with two Super Speed Study Skills seminars delivered to around 450 students of Whitchurch High School's Sixth Form.  The large groups benefitted from a range of study skills and memory techniques and were lively and engaged throughout.  The head of sixth felt the days was a success and looks forward to repeating it again next year.

6th September 2010 - Wales Tour Part One...

Crossing the River Severn into Wales for two days was a real pleasure, meeting some real friendly teachers and keen students on a two day mini tour of Cardiff.  Two groups of 100 year 11 students from Radyr Comprehensive benefitted from the two hour Super Speed Study Skills seminars.  Students were willing to volunteer, taking part in memory activities and they thoroughly enjoyed the day. 

Feedback from the school included the comments "We are confident that the students will use these revision techniques learnt today to help them prepare for their GCSEs and all futures exams.  Mindmaps were the most useful idea we witnessed today and the biggest surprise was how much information the students could recall at the end of the sessions."

3rd September 2010 - Back To School at Northgate High

It was back to school for the first gig of the new academic year on 3rd September.  It was a pleasure to team up with fellow presenter Rachel Eltham, year 10 students of Northgate High School in Ipswich attended Super Speed Study Skills session.  The feedback was the session was well received by students, with the use of Mindmaps being the most useful tool on offer on the day.  One teacher commented that they were very surprised with the total recall of all the facts learnt at the end of the activity.

15th July 2010 - Wollaston School Careers Day...

MLP Mark Kennedy attended the Wollostan School Careers Day on 15th July 2010 meeting students from years 10 and 11.  "This was a new experience for me since being Positively MAD.  I have attended loads of careers fares in the past but only to talk about jobs."

Mark gave short memory demonstrations to students who visited his stand, showing the awesome power of Mindmaps.

6th July 2010 - World of Work at Danetre...

MLP Mark Kennedy returned to Danetre School in Daventry for the the Year 10 World Of Work day. The students had endured an exam first thing and then were straight into break out sessions where they attended Goal Setting. At the end of the day, the whole group gathered in the hall for a 30 minute talk on Self Motivation with Mark before prizes were presented for the best participants of the day.

Alternative Curriculum Manager Jane Trevellick commented, "The students now realise they have to manage their own futures."

This was the second time that Mark had worked with this group of students, "It was a pleasure to work with Year 10 again and I was heartened that many of them remembered me from Healthy Lifestyle day back in January. I am also delighted that Jane has invited me back to work with the students again in October and December."

17th June 2010 - Beyond the 6th Form...

MLP Mark Kennedy is proud to have been working with Campion School for around 14 years now and was delighted to attend the annual "Beyond the Sixth Form Day" delivering Goal Setting sessions to two groups. One student commented, "I had no idea what I was going to do with my life but after one hour with Mark he has made me think with an open mind. I have already set myself some short term goals in the session".

Co-ordinator of the day Alison Birch commented, "Thanks for coming along again and supporting Campion, the sessions were extremely useful and informative as always."

17th June 2010 - Aiming Higher in Leicester

Positively MAD were in full force at the annual Leicester City & Leicestershire Aimhigher Conference. The Head of Training gave short, entertaining presentations to all delegates and was accompanied by MLP Mark Kennedy.

Feedback was excellent on the day, one delegate commented, "If you have never booked Positively MAD in the past, get them in now! I have used PosMAD three or four times now and our students are buzzing for days, so am I."

11th June 2010 - Super Speed Study Skills in The Capital

MLP Mark Kennedy delivered Super Speed Study Skills, to year 10 students at Acton High School in London. The group learnt how their brain works, powerful memory techniques, how to speed read and how to use mindmaps. The session was well received by all and the students left with a smile on their faces.

15th May 2010 - New Primary School Course Available...

On Saturday 15th May 2010 MLP Mark Kennedy attended Positively MAD's Creative Approaches To Learning training programme delivered by MLP Natalie Donaghue.

Creative Approaches To Learning is a multi sensory learning programme for Key Stage 2 learners offering a entertaining day of creative madness. The main objectives are to show students that learning can be fun, to raise confidence in students and their own abilities and to inspire students to be creative in their own learning techniques.

This course is now available locally within primary schools from Mark who enjoyed the training day so much, it was even worth missing the FA Cup Final for. Call 07736 926059 or email m.kennedy@positivelymadpartner.co.uk for more details.

13th May 2010 - Manor Students Enjoy Setting Their Goals...

Students at Manor School and Sports College worked with MLP Mark Kennedy in four one hour Goal Setting sessions as part of the Employer Engagement Transition Day. The small groups engaged extremely well and were a credit to the school and themselves plus the teachers present also completed their own goal sheets too.

Teacher Lizzie Naylor commented, "The most useful idea was the Mental Journey which got the students to think about their future and what they need to do to get there."

Connexions' Julie Thompson added, "The students and staff gained a lot of useful information from your contributions and it has given them a good insight into the skills and attributes required to enter the world of work."

30th April 2010 - City of Lincoln Academy Enjoys English Revision Masterclass...

MLP Mark Kennedy enjoyed a fun day at The Priory City of Lincoln Academy delivering Hooks, Lines and Thinkers English Revision Techniques. Two groups of 30 students learnt a range of memorable techniques to teach them specific learning tools in order to help with revision of the English Curriculum and to realise how powerful their learning abilities are.

96% of the students gave the course a 4 or 5 star rating and comments included;

"It was very interesting and I learnt over 80 facts without writing them down."

"The course taught me a lot about grammar and other English facts, Mark made it fun too."

"I learnt lots of new things and different techniques that will really help me with my exams."

"Mark was fantastic and very enthusiastic."

"It was fun and extremely educational."

"It was fun, not boring. Got everyone involved and didn't have to do pages of writing."

"I wish the session was longer as it was good fun".

"It was fun, you learn a lot and find out how great your brain is."

"It was funny which helped you to remember things more. Included good tips to help with GCSEs."

"It was good because it taught you some very important things and wasn't boring stuff being shoved down your throats. Mark made it fun with his humour".

Head of English, Christine Brookman added "The session had great impact on our students, they enjoyed the day and engaged throughout whilst benefitting from kinaesthetic learning and visual thinking."

28th April 2010 - Super Speed Study Skills at Crown Hills...

MLP Mark Kennedy presented Super Speed Study Skills to 50 year 10 students at Crown Hills Community College in Leicester. The group left the room with a range of alternative study techniques to prepare them for the move into year 11.

31st March 2010 - Roade Revisited...

MLP Mark Kennedy returned to Roade School to deliver a Speedy Study Skills session to around 75 high achieving and extremely well behaved year 11 students. The whole group left the room smiling after enjoying a lively session packed with study and memory tools. They were rewarded with treats by school staff for their participation too, an absolute pleasure to work with and a credit to their school.

Denise Russell, Skills for Life Co-ordinator commented, "I was pleasantly surprised with the willingness of the volunteers who came up on stage with Mark. The session had strong impact, they laughed with Mark and were very responsive to his questioning and were fully engaged throughout."

30th March 2010 - Tonight Matthew We're Going Exam Busters...

Well it wasn't literally at night! MLP Mark Kennedy delivered two Exam Busters seminars at Matthew Arnold School in Staines whilst MLP Natalie Donahue delivered Mastering Student Motivation. The whole of year 11 was literally Positively MAD for the day!

The school commented, "A lot of the students really grasped the techniques and could remember the information."

24th March 2010 - Back To Bosworth...

After a successful Speedy Study Skills session at the beginning of March, MLP Mark Kennedy returned to Bosworth Independent College to work with the same group of 50 students to deliver Goal Setting. It was the final week before breaking up for a three week Easter break so students were in good spirits and joined in the interactive exercises. Carol Fitzgerald commented "The session was very inspirational and equipped the students with mean of setting goals."

18th March 2010 - More Seminar Training...

MLP Mark Kennedy joined MLP Gavin Scott observe MLP Joe Rowntree deliver Mastering Student Motivation and Exam Busters at Weldon School in Nottingham. "Joe is famed for his work on Brainiac Science Abuse so it was great to see him in action. Also it was useful for me to watch an experienced colleague present." Watch this space for more seminars soon...

18th March 2010 - Roade Study Skills...

Around 70 students from Roade Sports College attended Speedy Study Skills with MLP Mark Kennedy and came away equipped with some great tools to help them through their exams. A lively group engaged and were quick to volunteer for the interactive tasks, Student Mentor Sarah Craig commented, "Mark gave the students confidence to realise that they can take in and remember information".

15th March 2010 - Wonderful Feedback From Students...

The four week project at Northamptonshire Study Centre came to a close and the students who attended left with smiles on their faces.

"You did a fantastic job teaching us all this, I got a B in my History mock because of the techniques" - Amii

"Mark, thank you so much, it actually helped me so much. I would love to see you teaching me and helping me again in the future. Thank you." - Kimberley

"I really enjoyed the course and it was helpful as well as being fun. Mark thank you for teaching me new and different things." - Angela

"Thank you for helping me, it was great fun and I learnt so much." - Gemma

"I enjoyed it so much." - Sarah

"It was cool dude." - Kiefer

"You're a good teacher and thank you for your support." - James

"Thanks for a great four weeks." - Shaune

These words speak for themselves! A wonderful four weeks delivering 6S Study Skills and Goal Mapping was complete with some lovely comments from those in attendance.

11th March 2010 - Exam Busters at Impington...

Talk about thrown into the deep end! As part of MLP Mark Kennedy's seminar training, the process involved him delivering an Exam Busters seminar to 2 groups of 150 year 11 students at Impington Village College in Impington, Cambridge. Illness to the original presenter gave Mark the opportunity of live practice and he delivered an outstanding performance according to Learning Manager Phil Stanton. "These sessions hopefully will have a massive impact on the students' revision techniques. We often ask out students to revise... but... do they know how to. They are now well equipped with lots of tips, aids and techniques."

In the afternoon Mark worked with a select group of students delivering Goal Mapping to offer extra support to C/D borderline individuals. "I felt extremely relaxed and am really pleased that I am now in the position to deliver more of Pos MAD's wonderful programmes".

3rd March 2010 - Speedy Study Skills at Bosworth...

Bosworth Independent College is a wonderful establishment with students from all over world based in Northampton to gain an education in this private education establishment. MLP Mark Kennedy worked with a group of 50 year 10 and 11 students delivering a Speedy Study Skills session which all enjoyed. Coordinator Carol Fitzgerald commented, "Students were actively engaged and thoroughly enjoyed the session. Some of our students do not have a good command of the English language but Mark's delivery was extremely clear ensuring that they understood.

25th February 2010 - More Programmes Now Available From Your Local MLP...

MLP Mark Kennedy made the long journey north to Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe to meet up with Alan David Pritchard to see the master himself in action. Alan is the brains behind the creation of some of Pos MAD's student coaching programmes including 6S Study Skills and Hooks Lines and Thinkers. The latter was the order of the day as Alan delivered both the English and Science Hooks, Lines and Thinkers sessions to two groups of students whilst Mark observed as part of his ongoing training.

"I am now delighted to be in a position to deliver both English and Science programmes to specific groups. These sessions give students a range of revision techniques which are relevant to the curriculum."

24th February 2010 - St Georges Become Positively MAD For The Day...

MLP Mark Kennedy visited St Georges Academy in Sleaford, Lincs to deliver Pos MAD's acclaimed 6S Study Skills programme to around 30 C/D borderline students. The group worked extremely hard through a long day to come out trumps with a range of techniques and tools which will motivate them to become more effective in their studying. Students commented on the effectiveness of using images to "stimulate the brain" and help them remember information and they enjoyed the concept of "looking at one's whole lifestyle in the approach to the exam period."

100% of the students evaluated that they now feel more confident in their ability to make their study more effective. "It was fun, interesting and I found out there are so many effective ways to revise. I feel a lot more confident now." commented one student. "The fun and humour helps me to study and I think all students will benefit from this." said another.

Word got around through the day that a clutch of students approached teaching staff at lunchtime requesting to join in. That was very heartening!

22nd February 2010 - Northamptonshire Study Centres Begin PosMad Project...

A small clutch of students began the 6S Study Skills programme with MLP Mark Kennedy. The group attend the Rushden & Diamonds Study Centre after school to enhance their chances of exam success. Week one, the group were introduced to the importance of the Regular Review Process, taking information and shaping it into memorable data.

10th February 2010 - Double Whammy At Huxlow...

Positively MAD were out in force at Huxlow Science College for the school's careers day. MLP Andy Revill delivered Super Speed Study Skills to the whole of year 11 and MLP Mark Kennedy worked with smaller groups talking about the importance of motivation when taking the first career step.

Connexions organiser Julie Thompson commented, "The students really engaged and thought about their career options thanks to these sessions."

20th January 2010 - Study Skills At Buccleuch...

Over 150 Kettering Buccleuch Academy students enjoyed a Speedy Study Skills session delivered by MLP Mark Kennedy. With a lot of nerves and stress around at the time of mocks and exams, the audience were given a range of fun and interactive ways of alternative studying. Many were buzzing after attending this short snappy session!

11th January 2010 - Get Fit At Danetre

Setting Fitness Goals was on the agenda as MLP Mark Kennedy visited Danetre School in Daventry to deliver five sessions incorporating Goal Mapping. Director of Key Stage 4 Claire Sykes commented, "I feel the students learnt the link between healthy living and success and to think about their future aspirations. I think they learnt how to sit back and think beyond school and how to reflect. I would definitely like to work with Mark and Positively MAD again in the future."

The students enjoyed the sessions and many vowed not to become couch potatoes in the future, one commented "Mark was really helpful when he talked about healthy eating and the impact it could have on my life. I got to use my imagination to learn about my dreams too."

16th November 2009 - Magdalen Goals...

MLP Mark Kennedy visited Magdalen College to work with five groups of students and deliver Goal Setting and Motivational Techniques. "Students put down some great ideas on paper and added to their goal sheets throughout the week." commented Miles Doughty who was present throughout the sessions.

25th November 2009 - Putting On A Show...

Northampton Education & Business Partnership (EBP) invited MLP Mark Kennedy along to take part in Unity College's Literacy Project. The aim of the day was for students to act out a scene from a play called Daz 4 Zoe which deals with equality and class issues. "My job was to encourage the group to work together as part of a team and to help them gain confidence to perform. It certainly was different to anything I have done before but it was a thoroughly enjoyable day."

24th November 2009 - Abbeyfield Industry...

Wayne Jones at Abbeyfield School invited MLP Mark Kennedy to talk to small groups of students about the benefits or hard study and self motivation in achieving success. The day was extremely well arranged with pretty much the whole school involved. Wayne fed back "Thank you for your valuable input, the students really appreciated your presentations."

20th November 2009 - Campion Students Set Work Experience Goals

13 students from Campion School benefited from Goal Mapping delivered by MLP Mark Kennedy ahead of their work experience placements in the Motor Trade. Project Coordinator Chris Brooks stated the session was, "Very positive and motivating session which thoroughly prepared the students for their work experience."

85% of the students stated at the start of the session that they did not set themselves goals of any kind but their mood was changed by the end of the morning session with 100% saying that they feel they will now spend more time on focusing themselves in goal setting.

A follow up with the school a few weeks later, I learnt that all the students were progressing well in their work placements and continuing their hard work towards their qualification.

30th September 2009 - Fun At The YMCA Training...

MLP Mark Kennedy delivered Goal Mapping to a group of 12 Entry to Employment students at YMCA Training in Lincoln. The group, aged 16-18 thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon stating feedback including, "Awesome and educational in many ways." and "What an amazing experience! Made me realise that I should never give up in life."

27th August 2009 - First Session Delivered...

Campion School's Year 7 summer students were the first to enjoy Goal Mapping delivered on a beautiful sunny day. The 24 students in attendance fed back that the session was "fun and enjoyable" and it helped them to calm some pre-school nerves as they make the transition to secondary education, they all went away with a colourful goal map to get them started on the right foot. Extended Service Coordinator Alan Hackett stated "I was pleased at how well the students engaged with the presenter."

July 2009 - My MAD Journey Begins...

Hello, my name is Mark Kennedy and in July 2009 I began my MAD journey. MAD stands for Making A Difference and that is the number one reason why I began my partnership with the wonderful organisation.

For almost 14 years I have worked with young people, both in education and post 16, and have been responsible for helping over 650 job seekers (aged 16-21) begin their careers. My role took me into schools to work with students on a range of careers related events.

I love helping young people make a difference to their lives and to help them to see that they are in charge of their own destinies whether it is setting themselves goals, raising their self esteem or improving their study techniques. It is the most rewarding feeling ever. In this blog, I will share stories with you as I continue my journey...