2006 / 2007

The Prince of Wales's Education Summer School opens today (2 July) at Cambridge University and runs until 5 July. For the first time the annual Summer School will fall under the umbrella of recently-created independent charity, The Prince’s Teaching Institute, which today launches its public website (http://www.princes-ti.org.uk).

Now in their sixth year, the Summer Schools continue to go from strength to strength. The Summer School today welcomes 40 state primary and 100 state secondary school teachers to engage in discussion of their subjects with renowned writers, academics and education specialists.

The keynote address at this year’s Summer School will be given by Professor Baroness Susan Greenfield, the Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the first woman to hold that position. Other speakers include celebrated children’s author Michael Morpurgo CBE, author and journalist AN Wilson, Lord Wilson of Dinton GCB, Gervase Phinn and Jamila Gavin.

Education panellists include Ralph Tabberer, Director General of Schools at the Department for Education and Skills and Gareth Mills, leader of the Curriculum Development and Implementation Team at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Also on the panel are Dr Kate Pretty, Principal of Homerton College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and Sir Eric Anderson, Provost of Eton.

This year the Prince’s Teaching Institute adds Science to the Summer Schools curriculum for the first time and steps up its provision for primary school teachers.

Course Director Bernice McCabe, Headmistress of North London Collegiate School, said:

“In 2002, the Summer Schools opened as a forum for the exploration of subject issues and we concentrate on academic content rather than teaching skills or methodology. The aim is to return teachers to the classroom with a revitalised passion for their subject which will help to inspire pupils.

“Each year the Summer School courses are oversubscribed. As the Summer Schools open their doors as part of the Prince’s Teaching Institute for the first time, we are exploring the possibility of adding more subjects to the core English and History courses, furthering the opportunities for valuable interdisciplinary discussions between teachers and visiting speakers. This year, responding to strong teacher demand, we are pleased to introduce Science to the Summer School curriculum.

“As the prospect of a diminishing supply of scientists looms large, Science teachers face challenging times, especially so in the classroom, where capturing pupils’ interest at an early stage is ever more important in order to sustain scientific engagement throughout their time at school. The popularity of television programmes about wildlife, environment, medical advances and the history of science and engineering suggest that the thirst for scientific knowledge is out there. Science teachers have a front-line role in recruiting the scientists of the future. The time is ripe to provide a forum in which teachers of Science can discuss the subject issues that fascinate them and how to strike a balance in cultivating youthful curiosity in science-based issues and conveying the basic subject knowledge necessary to grasp these concepts.”

Keynote speaker, Professor Baroness Susan Greenfield, said:

“I am delighted that the Prince’s Teaching Institute has added Science to the Summer Schools programme. Teachers know that children have an unquenchable curiosity for the world about them. Scientists recognise this curiosity is something very precious, something that we strive to maintain as we grow older, because it impels us towards a deeper knowledge and greater understanding. In the field of science, where the human race is constantly inching forward, forums such as this Summer School are of particular value in maintaining a fresh and vital perspective on the teaching of Science.”

Dr. Kate Pretty, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Principal of Homerton College, said:

“School teachers are responsible for the education of our undergraduates of the future and it is crucial for institutions of higher education such as Cambridge to forge strong links with them. Cambridge academics participate in the Summer Schools motivated by a deep-rooted personal conviction in the value of this course and enjoy giving teachers the chance to catch up on the latest academic developments and refresh their subject knowledge. For us, it is a wonderful opportunity to share the work on which Cambridge prides itself with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience.”

Scott Baker, Teacher Course-Leader and Head of History at the Robert Clack School in Dagenham, said:

“The Summer Schools bring teachers together in a shared love of their subject and drive to convey that enthusiasm to their pupils. Each year teachers leave the summer school refreshed and head back to their classrooms invigorated with the fervour that brought them into the teaching profession in the first place. This year’s added course elements are set to further enrich the experience.”
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Former delegates are vocal in their praise of the Summer Schools: “This course has renewed our vigour. Thank you.” “It has made me feel I'm part of something very special… reminded me that my job is vital.” “This course has given me back my belief in myself and reawakened my passion for my subject. It has also taught me that I am empowered and that I can.”

The Prince’s Teaching Institute website will be the first port of call for those interested in discovering more about the work of the Prince’s Teaching Institute and the Summer Schools run annually in Cambridge. It will also feature podcasts of lectures and teaching materials for Summer School alumni. Teachers wanting to attend future Summer Schools and other courses run by the P.T.I. will be able to apply through the website.

Ends.


Notes to Editors

1. The Prince’s Teaching Institute (P.T.I.) has grown out of the Prince of Wales Education Summer Schools which, every year since 2002, have provided an inspirational forum for teachers to step away from the classroom and rediscover their love of their subject. The P.T.I. was constituted in 2006 as a registered charity (1116224) to organise more effectively the Education Summer Schools and to expand the programme of continuing professional development for teachers across the country.

2. The philosophy of the Prince’s Teaching Institute is rooted in a belief in the importance of subject knowledge, subject rigour and enthusiasm for communicating them. The P.T.I. has also developed a strategic partnership with the University of Cambridge, The Prince's Cambridge Programme for Teaching.

3. For further information please contact Sheila Thompson (sheilat@blj.co.uk) at Brown Lloyd James on 020 7591 9610 or 07812 062 164.