St Angela's Ursuline School
Science Department 
One of the greatest benefits to have arisen from our involvement with the PTI has been a renewed interest in our own study of science. This has shown itself in a variety of ways. Using Physics as a case study, we have been able to use the links from the PTI website to get hold of expert knowledge and resources to assist our teaching of the subject; making it more fresh and exciting for the pupils, while enthusing us as teachers and scientists in our own right. Areas of physics that we ourselves never studied at university, such as particle physics and astrophysics, have become our new topics through which we are updating and building up our subject base. This is having a knock-on effect with the pupils as the physical sciences become a more popular choice at A-level and at university. The pupils are keen to pick up on the enthusiasm of the staff and to join in on the variety of extended activities designed to allow the pupils to enjoy and stretch their study.
English Department
The focus of St Angela’s English Department’s involvement with the Prince’s Teaching Institute School’s Programme has been to increase the students’ involvement with the subject beyond the curriculum. As a consequence of this we have increased the number of visits and trips across all the Key Stages, with a particular focus on Key Stage 5 where we have been seeking to instil confidence in the students so that they can explore challenging literature independently. Trips have ranged from theatre visits for Year 9 and Year 12, to a Jane Austen conference at the British Library for Year 10 and 12. Individual students have participated in Poetry Master Classes and we have also extended creative opportunities within school through a Creative Writing Group and Reading Groups for Years 9-12. The activities have allowed students to extend their experience of literature and see the possibilities for exploration. As a result of seeing students so enthused by these encounters, staff have been encouraged to present them with challenging material within the classroom, particularly at Key Stage 3. Overall, participation in the Schools’ Programme has been an experience which has inspired us to push at the boundaries of both our own and the students’ capabilities.
Mathematics Department
Involvement with the PTI Schools program provided an opportunity for us to focus on the strengths of the department and to develop our activities to incorporate the objectives of the programme. The use of enrichment activities in key stage 4 has deepened students’ understanding in Algebra and Trigonometry.
Curriculum enrichment included: ‘mathematics beyond sixth form’ for Year 10 and Queen Mary University’s G & T workshop; ‘Year 9 Challenge day’ to develop their teamwork and communication skills; Year 9&10 pupils won borough round of the ‘East London Maths Challenge’; pupils were entered the UK Maths Challenge.
Our link with the PTI schools program has brought with it a real buzz and we are already looking forward to the many challenges, competitions and successes that this academic year will offer our students.
St Angela's Ursuline School is a Roman Catholic School for girls aged 11-18, based in Forest Gate, East London.