School of the Week Homewood School and 6th Form

Homewood School and Sixth Form College is a large, mixed, foundation comprehensive school with a substantial sixth form, located in Kent. It was awarded the PTI Schools Programme Mark for History and Science in November 2009.

2007

Picture of Homerton college Cambridge

The 2007 Summer School was held at Homerton College in Cambridge between 2nd and 5th July. Delegates were invited from a wide range of state schools.

Following four days of lectures, seminars and teacher workshops, the delegates agreed on the following general recommendations, that were put forward by Teacher Leaders to the Panel of Educationalists on the final day: 

  • There should be improved provision for developing subject knowledge and expertise, and for sharing ideas with colleagues.
 
  • Traditional subject disciplines should be protected.
 
  • More attention should be given to providing all students with an effective foundation in major academic subjects as well as to preparing future specialists.
 
  • Challenge and rigour in the curriculum should be overcome by good teaching, not avoided.
 
  • The profession needs a system of assessment that is fit for purpose and encourages and rewards good teaching and learning.
 
  • Teachers should be given more professional autonomy, to determine what to teach and how to do so effectively.

The subjects under discussion were English Literature and History and – for the first time – Science . There was a separate one-day programme for Primary School teachers.