The first Prince's Cambridge Programme for Teaching course was held today at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Run by the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Cambridge and The Prince's Teaching Institute, the day consisted of one-day Continuing Professional Development courses for teachers of English and History.
The day began with a welcome by PTI Co-Director Bernice McCabe and Professor Dick Taylor, Director of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning at the Institute of Continuing Education of Cambridge University.
English teachers were then treated to a fascinating lecture in the morning by Dr Fred Parker, who examined interpretations in the different films of Shakespeare's Richard III and highlighted textual points. Gareth Davies, PTI teacher leader from Sawtry Community College, held workshops in the afternoon that allowed teachers to determine how best to take the morning's lessons into their classrooms.
History teachers examined Franklin D Roosevelt's presidential style with Dr Mike Sewell. Together with Anna Smith, PTI Teacher Leader from Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge, and the History teachers, he reviewed internet and other sources, giving recommendations and commenting on the subject-matter.
The day wrapped up with a discussion, led by Sharon Collins from the Institute of Continuing Education, which allowed the teachers to feed back which areas they would like to see the PTI and Cambridge develop in the future.
There was an overwhelming positive response to the event from the teachers. One English delegate said "the Cambridge course was excellent, and I met a colleague with whom I'm now keeping in touch" The teachers concluded overwhelmingly that they wished to see The Prince's Cambridge Programme for Teaching focus on subject-based CPD.