Our first customer - Manchester Grammar School - continued

So, back to Manchester Grammar School. I really enjoyed working at the school and meeting a completely different group of people. I started at 0800 each day and worked until 1530 (when the school day finished) however I often worked later, mainly because I really enjoyed the role and also because our department was a service provider and it was key that we didn't let anyone down, all part of the partnership we built between the teachers and our department.

I also reviewed the trip application processes and started to push back, letting the teachers know that we needed a minimum of 48 hours notice of any trips, explaining that when this was observed, we could run more efficiently and avoid any last minute panics. There's nothing more frustrating than not being in control, especially when you're trying to provide a service and this reinforcement of the notice period allowed our department to breathe, and also gave us time to work on the department, instead of just working in it.I worked at the school for 6 weeks and only had to leave as my wife and I had decided to put the months of stress and worry behind us (linked to the DHL redundancy process and the appeal I made) and booked a holiday of a lifetime, 6 weeks in New Zealand and Australia.

Before that, the school needed to seek a permanent person to run the department after I had left and I was very flattered to be involved in the recruitment process, where I spent 15 minutes with each candidate after their formal interview. It was really quite remarkable as we both selected the same candidate even though we'd met them separately.

The day I left, Jim Mangnall and Eric Cittanova made a presentation to me to thank me for the work I'd done and I later received very complimentary testimonials from both Stuart Leeming and Jim Mangnall which are shown below.Testimonial from Jim Mangnall below

Re: Andy Cliff

 

Andy joined MGS for most of the Michaelmas term of 2009 to carry out two roles.

He worked as our visits assistant, providing a wide range of back up to tens of offsite school visits home and abroad.

While doing this we requested that he provide us with some analysis and consulting about the process, roles and challenges as a basis for future development in the role.

We were absolutely delighted by all the work that he did. He very quickly formed easy and valued working relations with a large proportion of the staff, both teaching and non teaching and commanded their respect – they all valued his help.

Andy is very clear thinking, well prioritised, analytical and imaginative.  He very quickly got to the heart if the issues that troubled us and rapidly put in a largely computer based system to address them, which has all proved to be effective.

He quickly adapted to the very different style and priorities in a school as opposed to a business.  Indeed, it was very pleasing to note how Andy embraced and valued the philosophies of the school and took a keen interest in school life, supporting various functions.  It was also notable that he worked way beyond his allotted hours and showed huge commitment.  I should add that this extra time in no way reflected any lack of speed in his work or time management both of which are formidable.

I believe I am right in saying that the report Andy wrote, at the conclusion of his time with us was his first involvement in such a document.  It was undoubtedly one of the clearest, most articulate, perceptive and wise documents of its type that I have read in a very long time and showed great professionalism.

When Andy’s time with us came to an end as arranged, we were all sad to see him go, he had become a part of the team in a short time and we enjoyed his company and the sense of fun and enthusiasm that he brought.

We have been glad to see Andy socially since he left the School.

Yours faithfully

 

Jim Mangnall

Surmaster & Head of Co-curriculum
 

Testimonial from Stuart Leeming below
 

Andy Cliff – Straightforward Consultancy

 

The Manchester Grammar School prides itself on its very active co-curricular programme which makes considerable demands on our logistical planning.  As well as managing a disparate transport operation incorporating our own services and those of third party providers, regulatory demands in these risk-averse times are considerable.

For some years, our Trips Office had been operating under increasing stress and the staff turn over had been higher than we were comfortable with.  During the Michaelmas Term 2009 (September through December) we decided we needed an independent assessment of our systems and personnel, especially as we had the opportunity for change when yet another trips administrator gave notice of leaving.  Andy Cliff was thus engaged to work within the Office to assess how we were operating and to advise both about potential changes to systems and to define the job description for and help appoint the replacement Trips Administrator.

Andy quickly developed first rate working relationships with everyone he had contact with.  The significance of this cannot be over stated.  We were very impressed with his analytical skills; his ability to quickly assimilate unfamiliar systems and to incisively identify short-comings and stress points, but also to recognise strengths.  His final report was clear and concise, and it identified specified mechanistic solutions.  We were able with confidence to implement key recommendations, changing elements of procedure (often simplifying them) and appointing the right person to the Administrator post.  In his report, Andy indicated areas that would benefit from longer term attention too and we continue to work on these.

Six months on, the Trips Office is a calm and stable place; testimony to the quality and validity of the advice we received.  Those who worked alongside Andy during his brief period with us continue to speak highly of him and some keep in touch with him.  I would not hesitate to use the services of Andy Cliff in the future.

Stuart Leeming

Deputy High Master