Heading south for our monthly Advisory Board meeting Regions Group West Midlands Office which I’m looking forward to. First big decision was what coat to wear. Crewe station was a chilly 1°C. I resisted the need for a winter coat. Let’s see how that goes!!

Early this morning on Crewe station didn’t exactly feel like mid April but the rising sun breaking through the clouds as I head south definitely made up for it. Happy Tuesday!

As the holidays begin for Regions Group West Midlands Office school staff & pupils, we just wanted to say a huge thank you and well done for all you’ve done for the children & YP of the region throughout this long & tough term. I’ve met so many inspirational school staff this term. Rest well

A wintry and misty hike over Kinder Scout yesterday… not much of a path, not much shelter, not many people and not much to see … this overhanging rock near Kinder Low was very welcome!! All in all - great fun!!

Thank you for a wonderful visit to this thriving school. I particularly enjoyed hearing from the school council reps on their playground plans. Architects and surveyors in the making!!

Thank you for the warm welcome and extensive tour of the school. It was good to see the developing impact of your work on culture, values and behaviours. Lots of calm and purposeful corridors and classrooms. Thanks so much.

CEO Andrew Warren Regions Group West Midlands Office The de Ferrers Trust The Sixth Form @ de Ferrers @deferrers fee stagg Lovely to share our experiences with Andrew Warren, thanks for taking the time to visit.

Thank you so much for the tour of the 6th form and the warm welcome. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the significant impact that your work with the Behaviour Hub programme has had. Thank you also for the wide ranging discussions about further plans.

More “fun and games” on the rail network today … but the sunset views make it all worthwhile. Truly spectacular.

A half hour gap in my day gave me the chance to enjoy the winter sunshine and visit one of my favourite spots in Coventry. Brought back many happy memories. 😍

Today Department for Education has published new guidance for schools and trusts in England, on their role in providing wraparound childcare to children of primary school age.
gov.uk/government/pub…

Thank you to the school and trust staff for your warm welcome and openness as we discussed the significant distance travelled since my last visit. I shall look forward to seeing your progress in the months and years to come as you reset the bar of what is possible.

It was such an enjoyable visit and so good to see the impact of your high expectations, rigour in standards and plain TLC throughout. Thank you. I know you know there is still a way to go but really encouraging to see the green shoots.

Looks great. Thanks for all you’re doing and sharing here.

Not at all biased but I couldn’t agree more (objectively speaking)!!

Great to see and thanks to everyone who is getting stuck into this important work!

Looking forward to joining the Regions Group West Midlands Office colleagues in the Sheffield office today. Love the journey over the Pennines but the unreliability of this train route means that you constantly play “Train Roulette”. Not good … though oddly the 33min delay feels like good news!!

A happy new year and very best wishes as many schools and colleges return back in Regions Group West Midlands Office and across the country. It’s cold and dark at Crewe Station this morning as I note my 5th year anniversary doing this amazing job. Looking forward to working with you in 2024!

Wow - that brought back memories! One of my early “Probationer” (that’s what ELCs were called!) sessions reminded me of the importance of filling in these registers “clearly and with no smudges”!!

Thanks so much, Alex! This is very kind. That said I don’t ever remember pushing you into doing anything you wouldn’t have wanted!!! Surely not!! (“One more year in year 6?!”)