News

Are England’s Brightest 5% in the North-East?

(14 April 2003)

The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth is looking for England’s brightest young people to attend the University of Durham’s first National Academy Summer School.

The Academy, based at Warwick University, is asking teachers throughout the North East to locate students, aged between 11 and 16, who fall within the national top 5%. It is likely that each secondary school will have about 30 students that could benefit from the Academy’s activities, which include special programmes, summer schools, online learning and individual support. Once an Academy member, students will be able to attend one of the exciting and challenging courses at the University of Durham.

As the regional arm of the National Academy, Durham will provide up to 180 able students with the opportunity to stretch their abilities during a three week residential course starting on 3 August. This is an exceptional opportunity for students to study a brand new subject, or look into an old subject from a new perspective.

All courses are led by leading academics and students can choose from an impressive range of courses, including how to start and run a small business, a study of Bedouin, Aboriginal and Nomadic cultures and a chance to discuss slavery and the American civil war. (A complete list is available at: www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted).

The University of Durham’s Gifted and Talented Site Director Shelagh Mernagh said:” The University was selected to participate in this Scheme because of its strong track record of providing activities for gifted pupils, including summer schools and masterclasses as well as our track record of excellence in teaching and research. Our staff will deliver a first class academic experience for these young people”.

Ivan Holdsworth, Director of Programmes at the National Academy said:”The Summer Schools are a brilliant opportunity for students to study a subject in greater depth and work with experts in their field. I look at some of the courses and think, I’d like to do that!’. ‘Most importantly the students have loads of fun with some new friends”.

Students who think they may be eligible can get an application pack from the Academy’s website at www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted, via email on gifted@warwick.ac.uk or by calling 024 7657 4213.

Full details of all the available courses, locations, fees and subsidies can be found at: www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted.

For further press information and images please contact: Peter Dunn, Press Officer, The University of Warwick / The National Academy 024 7652 3708

Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, The University of Durham 0191 334 0018

1. The National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth is holding 5 summer schools for 900 students in 2003. Venues are:
   • Canterbury Christ Church University College
   • The University of Durham
   • The University of Exeter
   • The University of Warwick
   • The University of York.
   
   The complete list of courses available can be found at: www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted.
   
   All Summer School places are heavily subsidised by the Department for Education and Skills. Full information on fees, subsidies and scholarship packages are available at: www.warwick.ac.uk/gifted.



2. The Academy is the latest in a range of initiatives undertaken by the University of Durham to encourage young people to think about higher education. As well as running summer schools and masterclasses, the University also operates a bursary scheme designed to help potential students throughout the region, particularly those who come from families who traditionally have little or no history of participation in higher education. More information can be found at www.dur.ac.uk/undergrad/schools-liaison.htm



3. The University of Durham has about 12,000 students, approximately one undergraduate in five comes from the North-East, and one in three from the North of England as a whole.
   
   
4. The University have arranged three other events which will run this summer. They include:-
   • Residential Masterclass
     A four day residential master class in from 9-12 July and a series of follow-up sessions in the next academic year to attract bright students from the north-east with no family tradition of higher education. The residential masterclasses will be free for up to 200 lower sixth form students. Priority will be given to students from backgrounds where neither parent went to university.
     
     
   • Higher Education Summer School
     An exciting week long residential experience for up to 130 student Year 11 students runs from 20-25 July which provides participants with an insight into all aspects of University life.
     
     
   • Mature Students Summer Programme
     This programme for adults based at the Queen’s Campus, Stockton will run from 7-10 July to provide mature students with an insight into University life.