2007 / 2008

The Prince’s Teaching Institute today launched a new Schools Programme to recognise and reward school departments which have developed inspirational ideas and activities that enhance the teaching of their subjects.

The PTI was founded by The Prince of Wales in 2006 and builds on the enthusiastic response to the Education Summer Schools, providing subject-specific continuing professional development for teachers. The PTI’s philosophy is rooted in a belief in the importance of in-depth subject knowledge and enthusiasm for communicating it.

Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said, ‘I am keen to support the Prince’s Teaching Institute Schools Programme and all initiatives which further enhance the subject knowledge of teachers and innovative practice in schools.’

At a reception at Clarence House today for Head teachers from schools across England involved with the Education Summer Schools, The Prince of Wales announced the new Schools Programme, for state secondary schools in England, and welcomed the Government’s enthusiasm for the project. (To read The Prince of Wales's speech, please click here)

School departments which demonstrate their commitment to increasing teachers’ subject knowledge, and to furthering their students’ understanding and enthusiasm for the subject, regardless of their background or ability, will be invited to become members of the new Schools Programme. The membership is renewable every three years.

Those that achieve membership will be awarded a free place at the next PTI residential Education Summer School, access to PTI web resources, discounts for continuing professional development events and, after a year, may use the PTI Schools Programme logo on their letterhead and website. 

Chris Pope, co-director of The Prince’s Teaching Institute said, ‘Secondary teachers enter the profession as subject specialists, and yet unlike other professions, there is no mandatory requirement for them to refresh their subject knowledge. Teachers come away from the annual Summer Schools feeling reinvigorated about their particular subject and they tell us how positively it has affected their classroom teaching and improved the attainment and enthusiasm of their pupils.’

Bernice McCabe, co-director of the Prince’s Teaching Institute, said, ‘The Prince’s Teaching Institute is a venture by teachers for teachers. Following the successful Summer Schools that we have run since 2002, we have developed this new programme to encourage teachers to deepen their subject knowledge and to encourage departments to provide inspirational teaching. It should also help teachers think about what really matters in the teaching of their subjects. The Programme recognises improvement; it is not an attempt to define absolute levels of provision.