News

Summer School doubles intake of gifted and talented young people

(2 August 2004)

The 2004 National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) summer school at the University of Durham (August 8-21) has - compared to last year - more than doubled its intake of top performing youngsters keen to sample university life.

A total of 150 students between the ages of 11 and 16 from around the country will be attending this year's NAGTY summer school based at Durham's Van Mildert College.

The students - all from the top 5% of their secondary school year groups - will enjoy a two-week residential course aimed at stretching both their abilities and imaginations.

The summer school aims to provide a unique blend of intellectual challenge, knowledge enhancement and personal and social development in a university environment.

Durham is one of seven partner higher education institutions running summer schools for NAGTY which is based at Warwick University.

Dr Geoff Harrison, Durham's NAGTY Summer School Director, says: "Summer school can be a life-changing experience which widens learning opportunities and removes barriers to excellence. We seek to encourage different ways of studying and thinking in a challenging way not normally provided in a school environment."

Each student specialises in a single subject and, in groups of up to 19, they are taught by leading academics and teachers.

In addition to the formal teaching sessions students take part in external visits, practical challenges, and debates. There will also be plenty of time for private study, sports and a huge range of different recreational and social activities.

Towards the end of their final week students will be staging their own revue Wednesday 18th August), they will attend a formal college dinner (Friday 20th August) and will receive NAGTY certificates from a senior member of University staff at a graduation ceremony - where academic gowns will be worn! (Saturday 21st August)

Among the academic activities, English students will be taking part in two practical workshops (p.m. Wednesday 18th August and a.m. Thursday August 19th) lead by the Royal Shakespeare Company studying King Lear.

Economic students will make a case study visit to Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light (Wednesday 17th August).

Anthropology students will visit the Baltic Art Gallery, Gateshead and the Centre for Life in Newcastle (Friday 13th August).

The Maths students will also visit the Maize Maze near York to investigate the mathematics of maze design (Thursday 12th August).

The 2004 NAGTY summer school at the University of Durham has 18 students from North East schools. The other students come from across the UK, including a number each from Liverpool, London, Northampton, Oldham, Redditch, Sheffield and York.

NAGTY Director Dr Geoff Harrison says : "We are really looking forward to welcoming this year's intake of 150 gifted and talented young people from around the country. We will be aiming to encourage bright young students from diverse backgrounds to realise their full potential and to maintain their motivation to become even higher achievers."

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham at e-mail: t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk or Tel 0191 3346078.