The School has now been awarded the Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark (PTI) for five subjects: English, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages and Science. Of nearly 200 schools involved in the PTI Schools’ Programme, only a handful have achieved the Mark for five different departments.
The Mark is awarded retrospectively each academic year: the School has now been informed that Modern Foreign Languages successfully gained the Mark for 2011-2012. The Science department blazed a trail for QE with the Institute, successfully applying for recognition for 2009-2010. The following year, the English, Geography and History departments joined Science in meeting the criteria. To retain the Mark, each department must start afresh every year.
The aim of the scheme, which is open to all state secondary schools in England, is to recognise and reward school departments that commit to increasing the challenge of their subject provision. To gain the Mark, departments must demonstrate their commitment to increasing teachers’ subject knowledge. They must also show that they are furthering their students’ understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the subject, regardless of the students’ background or ability.
“The Mark recognises and rewards departments which develop inspirational ideas and activities to enhance teaching and learning, and which then apply them skillfully and systematically,” said Headmaster Neil Enright. “It is thus satisfying that, year on year, more of our departments are receiving the PTI Mark. It has always been part of our ethos that we never rest on our laurels at QE and that we encourage excellence and innovation.”