It's about learning

Press release issued: 14 October 2003

A series of seminars on aspects of developing learning that will help raise achievement in the city's schools is to be launched this week.

A series of seminars on aspects of developing learning that will help raise achievement in the city’s schools is to be launched by Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor at Bristol University and Professor Stephen Hoddell,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of England (UWE).

It’s About Learning kicks off with Improving learning: How serious can we get? by Professor Guy Claxton, in Bristol University’s Merchant Venturers’ Building, Woodland Road, from 6.30 to 8 pm on Thursday, October 16.

The seminar programme is run in partnership by the University’s Graduate School of Education, Bristol Education Service and the Faculty of Education at the University of the West of England (UWE).

The aims of the programme are:

to recognise and celebrate some of the key academic and practitioner development work across the city related to increasing the effectiveness of learning;

to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of both the research base and practical application of new ideas related to increasing the effectiveness of learning;

to build and strengthen the professional learning community of Bristol through informal networking and shared learning experiences between teachers, governers, academic staff, students in initial teaching training, and officers and elected members of Bristol local education authority.

Professor Rosamund Sutherland, Head of the Graduate School of Education at Bristol University, said: “This is an important collaboration between the University, Bristol Education Service and UWE. We hope through this new partnership we can make a real difference within Bristol schools and raise levels of attainment.”

Professor Ron Ritchie, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of the West of England, said: “UWE is pleased to be involved in an initiative which helps Bristol City Council work towards its ambition to become a city where ‘learning comes first’.”

The Director of Education and Lifelong Learning at Bristol City Council, John Gaskin, said: “This is a very valuable initiative. By putting on a high quality programme of seminars the universities and the city council are demonstrating their shared commitment to making Bristol a city where learning comes first.”

The seminars are free and open to everyone who works with, or supports, schools within Bristol local education authority. Places must be requested in advance, as numbers are limited.

For more information, contact Victoria Child on tel 928 7190 or email victoria.child@bristol.ac.uk.

It's about learning seminar programme

Thursday 16 October, 'Improving learning: How serious can we get?', University of Bristol, Merchant Venturers’ Building, Woodland Road, 6.30 to 8 pm.

Thursday 27 November,'InterActive education: Teaching and learning in the information age', CLC3, Whitefield Fishponds Community School, Fishponds, 6.30 to 8 pm.

Thursday 22 January 2004, 'Including pupil voices: How can listening to pupils help support their learning?', University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, 6.30 to 8 pm.

Tuesday 9 March 2004, 'School improvement through professional learning communities', Bristol Education Centre, Sheridan Road, Horfield, Bristol, 6.30 to 8 pm.

Thursday 6 May 2004, 'Developing thriving learning communities', University of Bristol, 6.30 to 8 pm.

Thursday 24 June 2004, 'Teacher professional identities and development in urban schools', University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, 6.30 to 8 pm.