Urban Education Conference

MMU is playing a major role in the world's first international conference on urban education, held in the city from November 28-December 1.

The conference brings together teachers, academics, education profesionals and policy-makers from around the globe to discuss best practice in schools in the world's major cities.

Speakers from Boston, Philadelphia, Melbourne, Kaohsiung, Lille and London will discuss the special challenges of inner city education and their plans for the future.

Inspiring

MMU's Institute of Education has been instrumental in inspiring the conference contributing ideas on enterprise in the curriculum, the impact of physical education on academic performance, teacher retention, and the roles of community and family.

MMU's School2Uni project which offers 11-14-year-olds an alternative route to higher education is one of the featured projects.

Deputy Director of Education for Manchester Marilyn Eccles, who is currently on secondment as Director of MMU's Centre for Urban Education, said: "We are doing extensive work to tackle obstacles in the education system that might prevent children, young people and adults reaching their full potential.

Research

"One of the key issues is how teachers can better tap into educational research, case studies and new ideas to improve their professional development."

Key note speakers at the conference include, Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Schools, Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary to the Office of the Deputy PM, Greg Thornton, Chief Academic Officer in Philadelphia and Steve Munby, Chief Executive of the National College for School Leadership.

MMU contributions come from:

-Dr Terry Warburton, Head of the Centre for Enterprise Education, the leading Enterprise in Education programme in the UK

-Andy Ramwell, Director of the Manchester Institute for Sport and Physical Activity which pioneered research into the links between PE and academic achievement in schools

-Professor Carolyn Kagan, Director of the Research Institute for Health and Social Change and an expert in community psychology and organisation

-The North West Science Learning Centre (MMU) the leading professional development centre for science education in the region.

For more information about the World Conference on Urban Education, contact Marilyn Eccles on 0161 247 3370 m.eccles@mmu.ac.uk or Jane Lemon at Manchester City Council on 0161 234 3179 j.lemon@mmu.ac.uk