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".