Teachers' e-newsletter - University of Oxford ~ weekymail

		Teachers' e-newsletter May 2012 Read the web version of this email

Help us spread the word about Oxford!

Less than half of secondary state school teachers would advise their brightest pupils to apply to Oxford and Cambridge according to a recent Sutton Trust report. Thousands of teachers have contact with Oxford every year, but there is still more work to be done. Please help us by spreading the word about this e-newsletter to your colleagues! Your colleagues can subscribe here.

Latest news


Inspirational teachers receive Oxford awards thanks to former students
Seven inspirational teachers from UK state schools received awards from Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor recently, after being nominated by their former students who are now studying at the University. This scheme is designed to recognise inspirational teachers in state schools and colleges. For more information please see our website.


Teachers are welcome to attend our University Open Days in June Teachers are extremely welcome to attend our student Open Days on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 June.
In addition to events taking place in colleges and departments, we will be holding teachers’ forums at our Information Centre at the Examination Schools, 75-81 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BG at 1pm each day, where you will be able to meet admissions staff and find out how to support your students through the admissions process. Find out more on our website.

STUDENT FINANCE


Applications for student financial support for 2012/13
To ensure financial support is in place by the time students start their courses in 2012, they should apply for funding by 31 May for English students and 30 June for Scottish students. The deadline for Welsh students was 4 May and for Northern Irish students was 11 May, so any students who have not yet applied for support should do so as soon as possible.


Student Finance England Twitter and Facebook 'surgeries' Student Finance England run live 'surgeries' on Twitter and Facebook every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm – 4pm. Students can post or tweet questions and get a direct answer from advisors.
There are also specialist surgeries about additional funding that might be available to students via the Disabled Students’ Allowance, Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance and Adult Dependants’ Grant. For more information follow Student Finance England on Twitter and Facebook.

DEPARTMENT AND COLLEGE EVENTS


Materials and Chemistry master classes
Our Materials Science and Chemistry departments are offering master classes for Year 12 students to find out more about these degrees at Oxford. On Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 June, students can participate in practical workshops and speak to students and staff. Further details can be found on our website or by emailing jayne.shaw@materials.ox.ac.uk.


Computer Science at Oxford taster day Students who are undecided about studying Computer Science at university can find out more at our taster day on Thursday 14 June.
They can attend lectures, meet tutors and existing students, try their hand at some programming, and visit an Oxford college. This is open to high-achieving year 11 and 12 students from UK schools. Year 13 students taking a gap year, who will be applying to start university in 2013 are also welcome. To find out more and book places for your students please visit the Department's website


Teachers information day about Law at Oxford On Tuesday 19 June Merton College is running this event for teachers whose students are interested in studying Law at university.
This insight into the subject will include a mock tutorial and information about the application process. 'Gifted and talented' co-ordinators, Law teachers, heads of sixth form, and careers advisors are all welcome. Please book places via Cressida Ryan (schools@merton.ox.ac.uk) by Friday 8 June.


Open Days for Further Education students and teachers Our Further Education Open Day will take place on Tuesday 19 June at Worcester College, and Sixth Form College Open Day will take place on Friday 22 June at Mansfield College.
All subjects will be represented by tutors and undergraduates from across the University. To book places and for more information, please visit our website or contact helen.etty@mansfield.ox.ac.uk.


Corpus Christi College teachers' conference Corpus Christi College will be holding its annual teachers' conference on Friday 22 June.
Funded by the Sutton Trust the conference is open to teachers and HE/careers guidance staff in the maintained sector who support pupils applying to university. Teachers can find out more about our undergraduate courses and admissions procedures, and our tutors would like to learn more about the perceptions and needs of teachers preparing students for university. For further details, please see our website or email admissions.office@ccc.ox.ac.uk.


Lady Margaret Hall Ancient History taster day On Friday 29 June, this event is for Year 12 students considering studying Ancient History as part of the Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, and Ancient and Modern History courses at Oxford.
The day will include an academic session with one of our tutors, a visit to the faculty and a visit to the Ashmolean Museum and one of our colleges, and a chat with current students. For more information or to make and application, please visit the college's website or contact outreach@lmh.ox.ac.uk. Applications must be received by Friday 1 June.


St Peter's study afternoons focusing on English, Maths and History St Peter's College will be holding study afternoons in late June for sixth form students interested in applying for English, Maths or History.
These events offer students the opportunity to experience seminars given by some of our tutors. Full details and an application form can be found on the college's website.


St John's College study week for teachers' professional development Teachers and education professionals can pursue a project of their choice that contributes to their personal and professional development, at this free residential study week taking place between Sunday 22 and Saturday 28 July.
In previous years projects have ranged from planning new schemes of work, to developing resources for gifted and talented students, to writing journal articles. Thirty places are available. For further details please visit the college's website. Applications must be received no later than 4pm on Sunday 27 May. If you have any questions please contact helen.hall@sjc.ox.ac.uk.

COMPETITIONS


Win a free online course from our Department for Continuing Education The Department is giving away one ten-week online course, worth up to £490, to one of its Facebook followers.
The deadline to enter the prize draw is midday on Monday 28 May. Details of how to enter are on the Department's Facebook page.


Wainwright Essay Prize This Prize aims to stimulate and reward interest in the Ancient Near East (including Egypt) among young people of secondary school age.
Prizes are offered for essays, reports or projects on aspects of the history, archaeology, society or art of any country or countries from Morocco to Afghanistan in the ancient period. The deadline is 30 September. Further details are available online.


Christopher Tower poetry competition More than 300 schools took part in the 12th Christopher Tower Poetry Prize competition.
The results can be seen on the Tower Poetry website.

Continuing education


Continuing education virtual open days
Online presentations from the Department for Continuing Education’s recent virtual open days are online, so you can find out more about their Master of Studies programmes in Literature and Arts, Creative Writing and History of Design, Postgraduate Certificate in Ecological Survey Techniques, Certificate and Diploma in the History of Art, and Certificate of Higher Education.


Interested in environmental education and conservation? Day-schools about our undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in environmental conservation will take place throughout 2012-13.
Session themes vary but typically include ecology and management of key habitats; global pollution; the science of climate change; and corporate globalisation and the environment. Sessions are delivered by world-renowned specialists and involve small group teaching. Find out more on our website or contact envcon@conted.ox.ac.uk.