Debate Chamber Summer Schools 2018  Booking Now Open

Debate Chamber Summer Schools offer students 11-18 the opportunity to find out more about some fascinating subjects, prepare for university applications, meet like-minded peers and get to grips with some tough intellectual challenges.

The material will be challenging (for our older age-group, about the level of difficulty one might expect in the first year at university), but a relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of discussion, debate, and opportunities for students to shape the direction of classes creates the perfect environment for getting to grips with new ideas. Working in small groups (usually around 14 students per group) over several days means a real chance to get to know tutors and fellow students and to explore the topics or questions that particularly interest each individual.

Highlights of Summer 2018 for students interested in current affairs:

The Economics Summer School for students aged 15-18. Focusing on political economy and macro-economics, the five-day Economics Summer School will include seminars on a diverse range of topics, from financial and currency markets to an analysis of economic inequality and its potential remedies. We will also be looking at development strategies in emerging economies, and the emerging impact of Brexit on the UK and other economies. The focus throughout will be on debate and discussion, and on encouraging and supporting students to engage critically and actively with the material.

See more details about the Economics Summer School here.

The Politics Summer School for students aged 15-18. This five-day course will include seminars on key questions within political theory and philosophy, workshops on important policy areas, and analysis of changing voter behavior in both the UK and US. The Summer School will conclude with a full day Mock Parliament, with participants taking the role of MPs, forming parties, making policy and debating legislation.

See more details about the Politics Summer School here.

The International Relations Summer School for students aged 15-18. This course will introduce the central theories involved in the academic study of IR – realism, liberalism, constructivism and Marxism – and will then look at a range of detailed case studies in order to apply, test and explore these theories. Topics covered will include military intervention, international law, development aid, feminism and IR, regional sessions looking at China and the Middle East, and the European response to the migration crisis.

See more details about the International Relations Summer School here.

Practical Details:

All the Summer School events will be held at University of London venues in Bloomsbury, Central London, and will take place in July and August 2018. Please note that these courses are not residential, and accommodation must be arranged independently if required.

You can find full details of schedules, dates, costs, student reviews and tutors at http://www.debatechamber.com/summerschools/. There is a limited amount of bursary funding available for students who would otherwise have financial difficulty in attending – please see our website for details.

To book a place please visit http://www.debatechamber.com/, call us on 0845 519 4827, or email info@debatechamber.com. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

Do you have any reservations about extra funding for training?

The Government has just published a Green Paper “Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision”. It forms part of the Government’s work to transform mental health support, ending what the Prime Minister has referred to as the “burning injustice” of inequality which those with mental health problems experience. The Paper focuses on earlier intervention and prevention before issues escalate, particularly in and around schools and colleges.

The proposals include covering the costs of a significant training programme and will provide up to £15-20m each year, from 2019 to cover costs until all schools and colleges have had the chance to train a lead, this being the Head Teacher or SENCO.  However, the proposal is that any therapy required, which may attract additional funding, is carried out by an NHS service or CAHMS.  Play Therapy UK (PTUK) believes that for the majority of the cases (mild/moderate conditions) this would best be carried out by a trained member of school staff.

PTUK knows a great deal about working therapeutically with children in schools We have the largest evidence base (over 44,000 measures) showing how effective play and creative arts are when used therapeutically in primary schools – 78% to 84% children show a positive change.

We propose to respond accordingly to the consultation taking into account your views.

To help schools prepare for the changes implied in the Green Paper we are providing a free of charge advisory service. This will keep you in touch with progress of the legislation and give you practical advice on the steps to take.  Just email me if you are interested. jefferyht@majemail.com

Jeff Thomas
Registrar – Play Therapy UK

jefferyht@majemail.com

www.playtherapyregister.org.uk

www.playtherapy.org.uk