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6 Aug 2007 16:49:31
The first regional Gifted and Talented Summer School took place at the University of Bedfordshire last week, attracting dozens of young people from across the East of England.
Students aged 15 to 18 attended the English and Dance courses aimed at exploring their talents and abilities.
Those who took part came from schools in Bedford, Luton, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Cromer, Stowmarket Rickmansworth and St Neots.
The University in partnership with Cambridge University, Anglia Ruskin and UEA has created the Gifted and Talented Excellence Hub for the East of England, which is part of a Government programme to offer additional learning opportunities to bright young people.
Diana Saulsbury, University of Bedfordshire’s Excellence Hub Co-ordinator, said: “The Universities will act as a network to run a range of exciting projects, including summer schools, master classes, field trips and special university lectures, with up to 7,000 students from across the region expected to benefit.
“The summer schools in English and Dance were run by experienced lecturers who are practitioners in their field. Students enjoyed the opportunity to work with like minded peers in a supportive academic environment, where they were encouraged to think and develop their talents. Feedback was extremely positive; students said they found it inspiring and enjoyed the creative elements.”
English students took part in creative writing, poetry and cross-over fiction classes while the dancers worked on choreography and performance in contact improvisation and movement analysis, before presenting a showpiece to staff and parents.
Among the audience was Claire Somerville, Youth Dance Coordinator for the Eastern Region. She said: “After seeing the performance I was very impressed by what they had achieved in such a short space of time. Their enthusiasm and quality really shone through.”
The University benefits from two large dance studios, a new 280-seat theatre performance space, and staff with extensive professional experience teaching Dance and Performing Arts. The English course at the University was recently rated as one of the best in Britain, offering an ideal balance between traditional and more innovative areas of study.
For further information about Gifted and Talent events at the University of Bedfordshire email gntsummerschool@beds.ac.uk
Latest news» 2007» August» Gifted and talented youngsters shine through at first summer school
