Testimonials
At the end of the summer school delegates are asked to complete an evaluation. The response we received was overwhelmingly positive, below is only a selection of comments made by delegates.
“The course was like a breath of fresh air. In spite of being exhausted by the amount of information and discussion I feel invigorated and excited about putting into practice many ideas discussed over the last few days. A wonderful experience!”
“When I first received the brochure and read the comments on the front I was sceptical that one course could do so much. I now realise how wrong I was, it has rejuvenated and reinvigorated me and I feel very lucky to have been able to attend - thank you.”
“It has been a great way to finish the school year, knowing now that I have the summer to put all my new ideas in place.”
“I think the format is a winning one.”
“Great experience just when you are about to start crawling to the end of term. Summer School has been a refreshing shower of in depth knowledge, like going to a health farm for the mind. The body may be exhausted by the end of year strains but the brain will go buzzing into the summer holidays refreshed and eager to change and grow.”
“The content has been very well thought out and above all inspirational. It is such a pleasure to be in the company of so many positive, passionate like-minded professionals…my overall impression has been that this has been a thought-provoking, stimulating experience which every teacher should get the opportunity to sample.”
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in this course and be influenced by incredibly positive and forward looking colleagues and the Institute…thank you for a truly rewarding and inspirational course. It was by far the greatest four days of my career.”
“It was great to feel valued and vital to the ideas that were discussed and developed during the week – I feel proud to have been part of such an important and innovative enterprise.”
“It has made me fully aware of the limitations of simply looking at a subject as regards its ‘usefulness’ or the skills it provides – an utterly mechanistic view of education.”
“The course was like a breath of fresh air. In spite of being exhausted by the amount of information and discussion, I feel invigorated and excited about putting into practice many ideas discussed over the last few days. A wonderful experience!”
“Challenging, difficult in parts, but the difficulty and challenge were enlightening…and enjoyable.”
“A very valuable experience. I would love to come again but feel duty bound to send a colleague!”
“Thanks…the most enjoyable, enriching and invigorating week I’ve had since I’ve been teaching.”
“It has had a very profound affect on me since 2002, which I believe is already well known! For example, increased my confidence to teach the way I want to teach and the way I want to lead
my department; increased my subject knowledge and given me the courage to challenge existing classroom initiatives.”
“I have only been Head of department since September but I was KS3 Co-ordinator before this. This has been a wake-up call. It has made me realise I am not delivering the type of KS3 curriculum that I ought to, and am capable of delivering…I will look carefully at Chronology throughout all 3 key stages and put greater emphasis on this.”
“I will look at the schemes of work to ensure that the “narrative” has the place it deserves. The 
big picture is what students need at their stage of education and I am not sure this is what we provide at the moment…It re-affirmed that learning is the focus of my job. I think of myself as a box of chocolates – to give out to my students generously. But…someone needs to put chocolates back into my box for me to continue to give…this was a fantastic experience which I like to share with other colleagues. If I knew that at the end of each academic year I was invested in as a human being and a teacher, it would make the difficult moments easier to manage…thank you.”
“This was a fantastic experience which I'd like to share with other colleagues. If I knew at the end of each academic year I was invested in as a human being and as a teacher it would make the difficult moments easier to manage.”
“It was interesting to discover the same concerns shared and expressed by colleagues expressed from different disciplines…I would not have believed it possible to pack so much into such a short time. This has been a long and difficult school year; I arrive feeling exhausted. However, I feel energised now…”
“Having talked to many, many teachers over the 3 and a half days at Homerton, love of subject, pinpointed by one of the bright young stars who contributed to ‘pupils’ perspectives’, is the driving force that ensures teachers stay in the profession and the Summer School truly nurtures this love.”
“I first heard about the (Summer School) from Professor Lisa Jardine when I was working with her in academia. Her enthusiasm for secondary education has been reinvigorated and her infectious account of her time (at the Summer School) was a real factor in my decision to move from academia into teaching.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being treated like a valued professional. This is the first positive CPD I have experienced. It is so refreshing to have quality time to gain subject knowledge.”
“Great experience just when you are about to start crawling to the end of term. Summer School has definitely been a refreshing shower of in-depth knowledge, like going to a health farm for the mind. The body may be exhausted by the end of year strains but the brain will go on buzzing into the summer holidays, refreshed and eager to charge and grow.”
“Once again I am reinvigorated and convinced of my subject’s vital importance as a way of enabling students to understand why they are who they are.”
“The luxury of discussing texts and analysis rather than teaching skills was wonderful.”
“I came quite disenchanted and bored with my subject because it has become so rigid, unimaginative and devoid of depth. I leave taking with me a determination to re-visit my own principles concerning what the teaching of English Literature should be about.”
“I have felt that we have been encouraged to tackle encouraging texts and have been shown that it’s ok to struggle with them – I know this has increased my confidence. The suggestions on how best to teach these challenging texts I could take back to my classroom…the course has taken me back to remembering that my subject knowledge is important.”
“This course has reminded me that Literature, and more importantly, challenging Literature can make a vast difference in a student’s life (even beyond school) and that as a teacher I am the person who can make that difference.” 
“The lectures really made me realise just how my love of literature has dwindled over the last ten years because of the pressures of data / target setting / marking. I have relished the opportunity to learn and have loved the outcome - I feel re-inspired by my love of English.”
“The teaching of whole texts, challenging texts is not something to be ashamed of, or avoided. It is central to good teaching of my subject.”
“At a time of significant change in Science education the PTI Summer School provided the much needed opportunity to reflect on the truly important aspects of being a Science teacher. Having time to step away from the hectic ‘chalk face’ and engage with colleagues from across the country in constructive discussion of the big issues has been excellent.”
“The presentations from leading academics have been inspiring…the Summer School has rekindled my passion for being of the Science education community.”
“I feel I have a real responsibility for education future Scientists of this country and I can’t wait to get back to school to do this.”
“I have become much more aware of the huge value my subject has (for) society and has motivated me to communicate this to the students.“
“Excellent – as a late entry to Science teaching – it has given me time to stop, breath and reflect. Yes, it has been a good decision to enter the profession, it is a worthwhile job and I feel valued…I hope many of my colleagues will have the chance to attend such a course. I have met many people over the four days who have been visibly rejuvenated. Thank you.”
“I have never experienced in depth subject based CPD training in 23 years.”
“(I will) increase the difficulty in material studied because this is something children enjoy.”
“I was encouraged…by the fact that so many leading lights and policy formers were listening to 
our points.”
“I feel that my subject is valued and that I as a teacher are valued. With that comes renewed confidence that I can present my subject knowledge (and enthusiasm) in a way which does not have to conform to the latest fad in ‘learning theory’.”
“I need to find ways of subverting the current methods of assessment and work out how to fit them in to how I want to teach.”
“These days have stimulated debate and filled me with determination to give more time to my own planning rather than the paperwork which has taken over.”
“It has given me the opportunity to listen to people at the top, academically, of my profession and this has undoubtedly helped to strengthen my passion for my subject. No other CPD has this element emphasised as strongly as it has been over the last 4 days.”
“Thought provoking, really positive - the panel's responses made me feel that there is an opportunity for us as teachers to make some of the differences we want to.”
“The whole event has a premium quality feel to it which must be fully preserved in future years and during its expansion.”
“Encouraging, challenging, thought provoking, stimulating – tick A*.”
“Everything seemed fine…but you could try harder with the weather next time.”