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Parklands isn't just a school, it does everything it can to be the beating heart of the community, a heart filled with love. Not the saccharine Hallmark Valentine's Card love, but the deep unconditional love you reserve for family. That's because everyone who is in the Parklands Community is family.Chris invites everyone in to be part of that family. Locking your community outside the school gate builds barriers, getting them through wide open doors and making them feel welcome builds trust, relationships, and a sense of belonging. This book shares how Chris and the staff at Parklands have built all of that and used it as a launch pad for the success of their pupils.Ben Brown
Having had the privilege of working as SENDCo at Parklands for just over 3 years (2017-2020) before retiring, I am one of the lucky ones who have experienced and contributed to the love that underpins and drives the school. This book beautifully sums up the force of nature that is Chris Dyson and the full on journey of the Parklands team to turn the school around with high expectations, consistency, respect, inclusion, team work, music and hearts full of love.There is something for everyone working in schools today to take away and adapt for their own setting.Beth Bennett
The parklands story is an incredible example of the power of great leadership, lots of laughter and (in the very words of the author) big love! For all leaders, not just in education, this is a must read if you're interested in creating transformational change. Chris and team - you are genuine change makers!Drew Povey
There is an honesty, a passion and an integrity that shine throughout this book, sprinkled with snippets of humour, and these combine to make for a fascinating and engaging read. It provides an in-depth insight into what makes Parklands such an exceptional school for children, staff, parents, and governors; team-work, the enrichment of experiences and the securing and allocation of resources are notable features. A visit to this school totally validates the book's key messages - the sharing in an atmosphere of engagement and challenge, of innovation and variety, of care and warmth - a school that serves, supports and challenges its community in equal measure, where love and safeguarding go hand in hand, where children are happy, flourish and excel.This is the sort of school I wish I had attended as a child when growing up in what was euphemistically described as an education priority area. If only the Parklands' priorities described in this book had been similarly identified and addressed then! Parklands is a school that every child deserves.To every teacher, to every aspiring leader (whatever area you work in) read this book, if possible visit the school - you will not be disappointed!John Sharpe
A hard-nosed take on love as a driver for school improvement. Parklands: A School Built on Love is heart warming and heart breaking in equal measure. It's poignant, punchy and practical. We can't all be Chris but we can all learn from the way he works.Mary Myatt
What a book! What a school! Having been lucky enough to have tears of joy streaming down my face at hearing the whole school roaring out 'Sweet Caroline' not once, but twice, with all the crowd, me included, swaying and dancing, I can testify that this is a school truly built on love. You'll find more than this in here though, Chris is a magician when it comes to generating cash. 500,000 extra is a lot of money for a primary school with a PAN of 45. There are fund-raising ideas, pedagogy ideas, curriculum ideas, competitions, reindeer and fake snow a plenty and that's only the half-of it. An education book to savour! And finally reading about Jason, another great big happy tear dribbled down my face too, because what Parklands did for Jason is what they would do for any member of their community. A stunning achievement Mr. Dyson, my hat is off to you and your school!Paul Garvey
Chris shares the journey of the Parklands team in turning around a school and its community. An easy read, full of useful tips for aspiring leaders. A turnaround based on Love. Not the fluffy kind, but love that is full of hope, ambition and the highest expectations. I would have loved to have seen the faces of the bankers and accountants in a times table face off with 5/6 year olds! The book is brought up to 2021 with a postscript which reduced me to tears then made me howl with laughter. Highly recommended.Raj Unsworth
I visit 100s of schools around the world as part of my day job. Not only do the Parklands primary school staff exude a passion for working at the school, but Dyson himself embodies how leadership can be - a school led with rigour and love, rather than accountability and discipline. Not all schools are led in this way, and not every teacher loves the school they teach in, sadly. Parklands is a 'stand out' memory for me and I encourage you to visit; this book provides only a gilmour into the miracles that happen day-to-day, behind the scenes.Ross McGill
'Parklands: a school built on love' captures the energy and empathy that you experience when you visit the school. It offers an insight into the wholehearted and warm-hearted commitment of everyone who works in the school and illuminates how and why every child at Parklands develops a love for learning and achievement. It also highlights what is possible when a school connects with, and responds to, the lived experience and needs of their community. Chris Dyson's love for what he does shines throughout.Professor Tim O'Brien
I have been in education for 57 years and have worked in so very many wonderful schools with outstanding staff, leadership and ethos, yet I can honestly say - hand on heart - I have never experienced the consistent and absolute belonging and love that envelope every single child in Parklands Primary School, Leeds. The joy, when within school, of the many impoverished children at Parklands is overwhelming and brings a huge smile to my face and an occasional tear to my eye.This book celebrates the saving of a school in one of the most deprived districts in the country, after years of crisis and conflict. It tells the story of how the absolute love and commitment of one head won over the hearts and minds of the children, the staff and the families it serves. It tracks the journey of not only changing the culture of the school but of instilling a huge love of learning and a shared pride in the amazing standards of achievement now seen in all they do.Ros Wilson

Chris Dyson wasthe proud head teacher of Parklands Primary School in Seacroft, Leeds for overeight years.Having been raised in a single-parent household, receiving free school clothes andfree school meals himself, Chris' connection between his early life and that of Parklands' pupils isrooted in common experience.He is now Deputy CEO at Create Partnership Trust,andbelievesthat education is the key to making the future brighter.