Shaping the future of our children’s education

Join the debate on the controversial Cambridge Primary Review and help inform the future of education during a free conference organised by Edge Hill University.

The Primary and Early Years Research Conference, Shaping the Future, on Monday 28^th February, gives delegates a unique opportunity to engage in professional discussion around the review, which is the most comprehensive enquiry into English primary education for 40 years.

Keynote speakers on the day include Robin Alexander, Director of the Cambridge Primary Review, Fellow of Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Warwick. He has served on government advisory bodies and national enquiries in the UK. His research and writing since the 1980s has covered policy, pedagogy, classroom interaction, curriculum, evaluation, cultural studies, teacher education and, most notably, primary education.

National leader of the Cambridge Primary Review Network, Alison Peacock, will also be speaking on the day. She is headteacher of Wroxham Primary School in Potters Bar and her school has a national and international reputation for work on pupil voice. Last year it was awarded funding as a ‘School of Creativity'.

Robert Smedley, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Edge Hill University, said: "I'm delighted that we're hosting this event in light of our University being invited to become a regional network centre for the Cambridge Primary Review, which presents us with the opportunity to be at the forefront of educational change

"The aim of the network is to support reform in primary schools, local authorities and teacher education and to improve the quality of primary education experienced by all the nation's children, particularly the disadvantaged and vulnerable. The conference we have organised will provide an invaluable opportunity to engage in professional debate around the review and will allow us to build reflectively and critically on the ideas presented in the review."

To reserve a free place at the conference, which takes place at Wrightington Hotel and Country Club, email teach@edgehill.ac.uk or contact 01695 584790.

Edge Hill University has also been awarded additional places for primary teacher training in recognition of its excellent reputation in the education sector.

A centre for teacher training since 1885, Edge Hill is the second largest provider of teacher training in the country and the largest provider of secondary teacher training. Edge Hill has a reputation for and a commitment to, the highest quality training of education professionals for a range of educational settings on a national basis.