Universities and Colleges in York will this week play their part in supporting the biggest education conference in the UK.

The University of York, York College and York St John University are joining forces with City of York Council and Visit York to add their voice to promoting excellence in education through NEEC 2010 – Unlocking Children’s Potential, which takes place in York from 6-8 January. The three institutions are showcasing their facilities and expertise through the provision of workshops and lectures for leaders in the educational world.

The University of York will host a learning forum on the theme of Research, which will focus on the way that education is based on understanding rather than whim or political fashion. Leading researchers and practitioners will discuss how relevant and reliable evidence-based research can be harnessed to improve education and realise children’s potential. The forum will feature a keynote address by Professor Bob Slavin, the Director of the Institute for Effective Education (IEE), which is based at the University. The session will include master classes from headteachers, educational psychologists and leading academics. The forum will be led by Baroness Estelle Morris, the former Secretary of State for Education and Skills, who chairs the strategy board of the IEE. The IEE, together with the University’s top-ranking Department of Educational Studies, and the National Science Learning Centre which is also located on campus, put York in a world-leading position for teaching and research in education.

York College will host a learning forum on the theme of Design, exploring the fundamental impact of good design on young people's development. Delegates will examine best practice in terms of primary, secondary and further education design against the backdrop of the award-winning York College building which was itself designed to promote active learning. The college's state-of-the-art, £60 million building has been described by Ofsted as 'An outstanding environment for teaching and learning" and there will be a series of education-led design masterclasses, including a special workshop for those interested in exploring the impact of design within school dining areas.

York St John University is playing host to delegates, addressing the question ‘Creativity – a key to unlocking children’s potential?’ At the Learning Forum at York St John, Professor Anna Craft, Professor of Education at the University of Exeter and The Open University, will deliver a keynote exploring the nurturing of creativity in education and ways in which creativity and educational futures are closely linked. Master classes throughout the afternoon will look at Creativity in Music Education, Creativity in Mathematics, Creativity in Writing, Creativity in the Curriculum, and Creativity outside the Classroom. The Creativity in Writing master class will be led by Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate and Honorary Fellow of York St John University. Local sixth form students will act as ‘rapporteurs’, feeding back key findings from the Learning Forum to Sir Michael Bichard, the Conference President.

The NEEC 2010 event (formerly known as the North of England Education Conference) is expected to attract up to four hundred children’s services professionals and those helping to deliver Every Child Matters, as well as people involved in research and higher education and senior politicians.

Kersten England, Chief Executive of City of York Council said: “York has always had an excellent reputation for its education sector – from pre-school care to post-graduate courses and research. We’re delighted that the council and its partners at Higher York have been able to work together to create such a fantastic line-up of speakers and seminars for conference delegates.”

Press Contact

For more information, please contact Jessica Grant, Director, Higher York, 01904 876349.

Notes to editors:

The University of York, York College, York St John University and City of York Council are part of a network called Higher York. This partnership also includes Askham Bryan College. These organisations work together to support economic and social agendas in York and the region. Higher York offers a range of services businesses and individuals including training, information, advice and guidance.