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Nearly one hundred English and History teachers from secondary schools across East Anglia will convene in Norwich today for four days of debate and discussion on one of the most important issues in their lives – the subjects they teach.

Away from the demands of the classroom, teachers at the Prince of Wales Education Summer School will have the opportunity to join in master classes with leading academics such as poet Seamus Heaney, playwright Tom Stoppard, novelist PD James and historians David Starkey, Simon Schama and Michael Wood.

This unique experience, which is completely free to teachers, is the brainchild of The Prince of Wales, who is keen to encourage and support teachers in two core subjects on the national curriculum.

This year’s course in Norwich follows the overwhelming success of the pilot course held in Devon last year.

Like last year, the response from teachers has been overwhelming, with the Summer School once again oversubscribed. Indeed, this year capacity has been expanded from eighty to ninety-six to accommodate as many teachers as possible.

And once again, the Summer School has been welcomed throughout the educational establishment, with support from, among others, The Department for Education and Skills, the Teacher Training Agency and HM Inspector of Schools.

Welcoming the initiative, Education Secretary Charles Clarke said:

“I am delighted that the Government is supporting this fantastic summer school scheme. If offers an exciting opportunity for teachers to debate their passion for English and History with renowned experts. Both subjects are linked to our sense of national identity and we should feel enormous pride in our great literacy heritage.”

Paul Grant, head teacher of Robert Clack School, Dagenham said today:

“Robert Clack School is delighted to be invited to contribute to the debate on the teaching of English and History. It is very pleasing to see that schools such as ours in deprived areas are being asked for their views.”

And English teacher Layla Marlow from Wyndham High School, Norwich said:

“I am looking forward enormously to this exciting opportunity to discuss the purpose and delivery of English literature in our schools. It will be fantastic to meet and listen to some eminent writers and academics and to return to school inspired and enthused.”

This year’s course; like last year’s, is not for the faint-hearted, with back to back discussions, lectures and master classes throughout the day: from 10am to 8pm pm Monday, 9am to 7:30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:30 until the close at 3pm on Thursday.

The cost of the weekend has been generously met by anonymous donors, together with a grant of £15,000 from the Department for Education and Skills.

All fourteen guest speakers have given their time free of charge.

They are: Anthony Beevor, Nick Clarke, Professor Niall Ferguson, Ronald Harwood CBE, Seamus Heaney FBA, Susan Hitch, PD James, Dr William Poole, Professor Christopher Ricks, Andrew Roberts, Professor Simon Schama CBE, Dr David Starkey, Sir Tom Stoppard and Michael Wood.

The decision to hold a summer school at Norwich followed the highly successful inaugural course at Dartington Hall in Devon last October which teacher delegates described as “inspiring” and “invigorating”.

Feedback from History and English teachers from Devon and the south west included comments such as: “It made me feel fresh and excited again about teaching” and “This course was rejuvenating and inspirational and reminded me of my love of literature.”

Stephen Miles, head of English at Haygrove School in Somerset said:

“The forthcoming Summer School is a tremendously exciting event. It’s a marvellous opportunity for professionals to feel valued and respected in the job they do. It’s an honour and a privileged to be a teacher, but it is also something to be proud of, and this promises to give teachers the rare chance to renew that feeling about themselves. More than that, it’s an opportunity for those who really know and care about education to join, in a meaningful way, in the debate about the future of our children and our culture, knowing that someone is listening.”

The Prince of Wales Education Summer School follows the success of the Shakespeare Summer School which has been running for ten years since it was launched by The Prince of Wales, together with the Royal Shakespeare Company, in 1993.

Both Summer Schools reflect The Prince’s passion for supporting and encouraging excellent teaching in English Literature and History, which he believes contributes so much to the development of Knowledge and insight in young people.