UVHS has been awarded the Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark for 2016/17 – recognition for their success as part of the Schools Programme.  

The Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI) Mark celebrates outstanding commitment to increasing teachers’ subject knowledge to improve outcomes for all students. UVHS was given the mark for demonstrating excellence in English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music and Science.

The PTI launched the Schools Programme in 2007 to recognise and reward school departments that develop inspirational ideas and activities which enhance the teaching of Art, English, Geography, History, Latin, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music and Science, regardless of their pupils’ backgrounds or abilities.

The programme, which is open to all state secondary schools in England, is run as a membership group for school departments that choose to commit to increasing the challenge of their subject provision.

Mr Hardwick, Head of School, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the PTI Mark for our variuous department’s innovative work, and will be proud to carry the Mark on our stationery and website as evidence of our commitment to inspirational teaching.”

To become members of the PTI’s Schools Programme, school departments must demonstrate their commitment to increasing teachers’ subject knowledge, and to furthering their students’ understanding of and enthusiasm for the subject, regardless of their background or ability.

To achieve the PTI Mark, departments then have to demonstrate that they have increased the challenge within their subject curriculum; developed their staff’s own specialist subject knowledge; developed subject-based links outside school and enthused their pupils through subject-based activities beyond the curriculum.

After three years of Schools Programme membership, departments may choose to become Associate Departments by devising an advanced multi-year programme in one of these areas. As Associate Departments they will share their growing expertise with others in the Schools Programme to the benefit of all.

Nicola Bentley, Senior Programmes Manager the PTI, said: “We are delighted to celebrate UVHS’s success by awarding them our Mark of excellence.”