"What a great day we had on Wednesday. Thanks to Chris for his energy and to you and the team behind the scenes for helping to make it happen."
"I would just like to reiterate what an inspirational day you provided today at the Leadership Trust. The impact of your work will benefit pupils et al for years to come."
"Thank you for a great day. As usual you helped us look under the rhetoric of things and get a better picture of the issues and ideas. Not many people are good at that, thanks again."
"All sections of the day proved useful. Colleagues who attended the day found it thought provoking and most of us are already making changes to aspects of learning and curriculum within our schools. There was allocated time for professional dialogue with colleagues as well as new information for us to think about. As we intend to further develop our collaborative approach across schools, this has given us a platform to work from."
"Chance for all teaching staff in the school to hear the same inspiring message about the curriculum. it built on what we have been doing already with our curriculum, which involves some of Chris' previous materials and has now provided thoughts on where to go next. The best thing was that all the staff came away really enthused and wanting to make a start immediately on further refining our curriculum. The discussion points at regular points throughout the day enabled us to take time to talk in a structured way about themes etc and priorities in our school."
"Always inspiring listening to Chris. He poses thought provoking questions with real relevant examples that translate into the 'real classroom'. I know I will be taking a lot back to my team. Many thanks."
"The whole analysis and presentation of the RAISE Online evaluation was very useful indeed but particularly the reference to OfSTED judgements in relation to standards of achievement and attainment. It gave the school a clear picture of where it stands and informs Governors accurately and impartially."
"The whole day was great!! The planning tools which we have now ordered were very useful and have given us the foundations to plan our curriculum more appropriate to our pupils at Stanwix."
"Fantastic ideas for engaging lesson starters and ideas for groupwork/paired work structures. Overall the course wass brilliant."
"A fantastic day! I'm a Graduate Teacher Programme Trainee (GTP) - after this session I feel so inspired to teach and I cannot wait to get back into the classroom. Chris has provided me with excellent resources to support teaching - thank you!"
"Talking about how progress can be measured, ensuring it's happening and can be measured during a session."
"The balance of teaching and children working - ensure they have quality time to think, question, listen and work. The power of groupwork and how children can teach other children."
"As you can see from the new 'Outstanding Ofsted' logo on our letterhead, the school has had a fantastic journey over the last few years and we were really proud of the outcome achieved last November. You have inspired us so much and we have used many of your ideas, especially in approaches to learning and through an innovative and engaging curriculum. It is now time to start sending other representatives from our school to learn and take on further ideas. One of the many strengths that Ofsted reported on was the effective leadership accross the school."
One of the many strengths that Ofsted reported on was the effective leadership across the school. Thank you for all your help and ideas over many years. Even Southampton are on the up and up!"
"It was a very practical course in which everyone found something useful. The method of delivery was excellent – broken in to bite size pieces with frequent breaks to respond. Chris was very easy and entertaining to listen to. Advice about behaviour management was very well received. The input on basic skills is going to form the basis of our work on teaching and learning this year."
“I just wanted to add a testimonial focusing on the way your INSET and resources have helped us to develop our curriculum. Having experienced the '21st Century Curriculum' conference, I was extremely impressed with not only the content but the way it was delievred by Chris Quigley. It made the whole idea of radical curriculum development so straight forward yet undoubtedly beneficial in terms of improving outcomes for our children. We have now revised our timetables to ensure all subjects are given the correct amount of teaching time.
Your thematic planning formats and key drivers have allowed us to redesign the curriculum ensuring it is truly relevant to the needs of our local community. The themed days and visiting speakers you recommended are now part of our make up, as are the brilliant ways your training has taught us to promote a more creative way of the children presenting their work. The next step for us is a themed afternoon every Friday called the 'Danger Zone.' We intend to use your new 'Dangerous Curriculum' to help us to do this.
All in all, your work and inspiration have impacted greatly on the skills of our teachers and children. We feel it will have an impact on the rest of the childrens' lives in terms of their motivation to learn, being resilient and working as a team. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank your office staff for their professional, efficient and friendly approach."
“The whole day was brilliant. Well organised, well thought out. Lots of pace and useful info."
"All delegates commented on the pace of the speaker and how this helped to impact on thinking; the pace was ‘punchy’ and peppered with real life anecdotes which supported in a humorous style the underlying principle Chris was trying to get over. The opportunity to have ‘breakout discussions’ with colleagues was invaluable and helped to confirm understanding. The variety of resources used was helpful in imprinting ideas and possibilities through video, visual and hard copy."
“Chris was able to target the day to meet the needs of our school and what steps as a school we need to take in terms of delivering a curriculum to suit the needs of our children. There was no time wasted and at no point did we go over old ground. It was a practical session which meant that by the end of the training day staff had concrete information which is now ready to be taken to the rest of the school."
“Chris was well versed about the potential barriers to learning within the school which again meant the day could be bespoke to the needs of the staff attending the training session. We were also able to look at the impact on learning in other schools in similar circumstances, and the journey they had made to improve the curriculum. Staff were enthused and motivated which is a clear indication of how the session went."
“Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the 2 day training. We have spent 2 days with staff and now have medium term curriculum plans for next half term and beginnings of weekly plans as well as happy smiling faces and a bit more sparkle about them!! I really wish to continue to develop this relationship and spread the word down south about the fantastic contribution you are making in education."
“Suggesting to us that we do not wait for the government but believe in ourselves and create our own Brougham curriculum. I have listened to Chris twice before and this time what made the difference was ensuring that we had our curriculum drivers. This, coupled with examples of how this can manifest itself, was the most inspiring. The leadership divided up the curriculum into year groups and we had another PD Day on Friday developing our curriculum drivers. For me, as a head teacher the opportunity to say what my objectives for the day prior to the event was extremely useful. Chris dealt very skilfully with potential areas of sensitivity."
“A chance to reflect on where we are in the process of creating a new curriculum, more creative, away from QCA schemes of work. A good place to start when looking at the next steps in the leadership side of ensuring correct coverage and progression throughout. Good ideas for teachers to use in the classroom and reassurance that we are not alone in some of the difficulties we sometimes come across."
“Staff found it extremely helpful to learn about the key skills and especially how to plan for these and develop them into “I can.....” statements and success criteria."
“Overall a fantastic day, with lots of ideas to help us work towards our own school vision."
“Time for staff to reflect upon their planning in light of the information given by Chris. Several members of staff have approached me to say how useful Chris’s advice was and how they can visualise future planning. Chris always has sound and realistic advice to impart which resonates with the staff and promotes dialogue and reflection."
“I am particularly grateful to Chris for providing straight forward advice and supporting the team in moving forward with planning for learning. It has been a most worthwhile experience. The handout he provided was very useful and I am sure I will see hints and suggestions as part of staff planning."
“We were thrilled with how the day went, our staff left motivated and excited about further work to develop our curriculum. We had an amazing staff meeting on the following Wednesday when staff were buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm to get things moving."
“The day was very successful and very useful. The focus on planning was particularly useful, alongside the messages about expectations and rigor. Opportunities to discuss points at frequent intervals were very useful."
“The whole day was really valuable in providing staff with an insight into how the school might re organise its current curriculum model and become more creative in developing cross curricular themes. The online planning tool was invaluable in creating a long term curriculum overview for the school. In addition, the key skills document promoted good, professional dialogue as to how key skills in Foundation Subjects will become embedded in our school."
“It was ALL really useful and engaging! Great to be reminded about what was statutory – and also useful to hear about the curriculum planning tool – which I have subsequently purchased – saving a lot of time for staff! My staff also liked the 8 secrets of success – this has refocused us on how children learn, and what we value in learning, which in turn will help with making planning effective."
“Practical ideas – how to start lessons and also ways to communicate learning. Some great ideas here for start to explore and to add to."
“The ways in which the content was easily understood by teachers and support staff meant everyone found the day’s content useful. The humour that Chris uses in order to put across some quite serious issues and thoughts was also fantastic. We were hooked!"
“The handouts were informative, stimulating & made sense! It is always great when the presenter is entertaining, amusing and REAL!"
“The objectives of the day were fully met for all of the delegates. It was great to see how Chris’s thinking has evolved over the years; maintaining the core beliefs and ideals, but shaping and improving. This enabled those of us who have developed curricular over a number of years based on Chris’s earlier work to get as much from the day as those coming in fresh."
“Chris is a very talented presenter who captivated the assembled headteachers and senior managers throughout a long day."
“Chris’s curriculum theory is second to none – intelligent, clear, exciting and fully deliverable – he inspired the delegates to challenge the orthodox and status quo."
“All of it. It was exactly what we needed to focus us on the best way of completing the SEF. I can’t thank Chris enough!! It gave us confidence that we were on the right track but also gave some excellent advice on what would make it better."
“Thanks for all Chris' help with my SEF. After the day he was here my Deputy and I revisited the parts we had already done and re-wrote them with Chris' advice in mind. The lead inspector said it was the best SEF he had seen, which is largely down to our day with Chris."
“The whole morning was equally useful, vibrant and thought provoking. The right balance of time to chat, think, discuss and learn was used, as was the balance of new knowledge and experience. The anecdotes were a great way to lift people's spirits and to fix their understanding through contextual understanding."
“Chris working hands on with staff, this moved the learning and understanding of the staff on at an accelerated pace. The organisation of the two days enabled the training to be personalised for the school."
“Clear, well presented and linked to ‘where our school is’ at the minute - areas were built in based on prior info given to Chris so the presentation built on developments we had been making recently as a school. The pitch of the training was appropriate for both teachers and teaching assistants and the feedback from staff was that they had all learnt something and that they can become great teachers if they want to! The training was well organised and gave real examples of things that make teaching great and small manageable tips that can lead to improvements in teaching and learning - both on individual teacher level as well as some more whole school ideas for improvement. Really useful handout which gave outline. Thank you!”
“Both the morning and afternoon sessions were excellent. As a result of the secondary school receiving their ‘phone call’ from OFSTED on the day of the training Chris changed the format of the afternoon to meet the needs of the primary schools who were there. Chris’s delivery and presentation was clear and coherent and showed a very good awareness of the needs of his audience. He was both thought provoking and entertaining as well as letting the passion that he has for what he does shine through.”
“Excellent. The whole process was very smooth and if we had any queries they were dealt with immediately.”
“Very good indeed. There is always a quick and professional response and it is easily managed and administered in school.”
“Extremely highly. The pre event info and communication was fantastic. Chris was amazing. Feedback from staff is very positive and we had a very constructive and productive day on Friday where we revamped our whole approach to the curriculum starting with curriculum drivers. Thank you.”
“Most professional from my initial contact to the actual day.”
“Fabulous – given me lots of ideas on how we can change our curriculum given our personal strengths and interests and the culture / location of our school.”
“The best training day I have been on for some time. Spot on content. Inspirational speaker.”
“A fabulous day. Thank you.”
“First class. Communication has been excellent. Sincere thanks.”
“How does one rate something of such high quality?”
“Very impressed – all staff commented on this being very useful training and that Chris was very easy to listen to – very knowledgeable and entertaining whilst delivering training in the real world based on experience as well as research.”
“How can you improve your service when it’s perfect?!”
“I was absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to work with Chris. I found his views and presentation inspiring. The conversations I have had with Chris have reminded me that we do not have to be slaves to content in our curriculum delivery, but think carefully about what is important to us and the community we serve. I think it has given us more confidence to make sure what we deliver through our curriculum reflects our values.”
“Excellent. All of the administration work was thorough and helpful which ensured that the day went well. Many thanks.”
“The whole process has been very efficient and simple from beginning to end with a high quality training event provided for all (despite the extreme weather conditions!) – thank you!” “Excellent service – approachable and accommodating. First class!”
“Excellent. We were impressed the first time we spent time with Chris, on a course in Swindon, and all of our dealings with Chris and his company have been of the same high standard ever since. "
“I would like to say how successful we all thought the day was. My thanks to Chris for the delivering a day that has inspired so many schools and staff. We all look forward to exploring his ideas and thoughts more fully over the coming months. Many thanks to you also - it has been a pleasure to plan the event with the 'Quigley' team!”
“The whole process – from making the initial enquiry to the end of the Inset day was outstanding! Thank you very much.”
“It was the best Inset day my staff have had in the 7 years that I have been Head – BRILLIANT!”
“The admin support has been spot on, as was the whole event. I’ll not become smug about the delivery as the person responsible, as it was all due to CQ Education Ltd.....thank you so much.”