FIRST NATIONAL TEACHING SUMMER SCHOOL

13th September 2004

EDGE HILL HOSTS FIRST NATIONAL TEACHING SUMMER SCHOOL

Pupils from schools across the country swapped places with their teachers for a week at Edge Hill?s first national summer school to focus exclusively on the teaching profession.

Around 40 year 11 students attended the week long HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council) funded specialist summer school at Edge Hill?s Ormskirk Campus, where they not only got a taste of higher education but also experienced the front of class perspective.

As one of the largest providers of Initial Teacher Training in the country, Edge Hill will train more secondary school teachers than any other institution this year. And staff from the Faculty of Education lent their expertise to help to develop the nation?s young aspiring teachers, with a range of sessions based on the theme of ethics.

Anne Richards is Head of Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Edge Hill. She?s delighted with the feedback from students and tutors on the teaching summer school.

"We don?t often have the chance to meet aspiring teachers at such a young age. Many of them left the summer school with much more confidence than when they started and now they?re fully aware of the skills and qualities needed for a career in teaching."

Summer school subjects included English, Maths, Science and Psychology with study skills and presentation workshops, as well as question and answer sessions on the teaching profession.

Anne Richards: "Friendships were formed on the course with team building activities incorporated into many sessions to encourage group working. Of course there were lots of social events too including discos, bowling, quiz and film nights with karaoke and a murder mystery evening."

The teaching summer school proved so successful that plans are underway to hold a similar one next year. ENDS EDITOR?S NOTES: For further press information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk