Education
Two of the main objectives of The Prince of Wales’s working life – his ambition to help young people realise their full potential and his desire to promote investment in the country’s future – come together in his support for improving educational provision and opportunities in the UK. This is evident in the work of many of His Royal Highness’s main charities, especially The Prince’s Teaching Institute which was formed in 2006, as well as his life membership of the National Association of Head Teachers and his patronage of several educational causes.
The Prince’s Teaching Institute
The Prince’s Teaching Institute was founded in 2006. It provides subject-based continuous professional development for secondary school teachers of English Literature, History, Science and Geography.
The Institute has a partnership with the University of Cambridge which gives it access to some of the highest profile academics in the country who speak at the events it organises. These consist of Education Summer Schools, four-day residential events which allow teachers to refresh their subject knowledge outside of their school environment and share ideas for the classroom from their peers, and one-day continuous professional development courses designed by teachers introducing the latest thinking in a specific subject. Visit the website.
The Prince’s Drawing School
Created in 2000, The Prince's Drawing School is an educational charity dedicated to teaching drawing. The faculty of over 35 practising artists works on the premise that drawing is a living, evolving language. The studios are in a converted warehouse in Shoreditch, the heart of London's East End creative community.
As well as the MA level and Bursary funded Drawing Year, the school runs a broad range of courses including master classes in the life room, in national museums and out and about, in addition to holiday workshops and community programmes. Every week 400 students attend classes at the school. Visit the website.
The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts
The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts aims to teach Arts and Crafts skills which have profound roots in all the major faith traditions. Its courses are centred on its Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts Programmes, post-graduate masters and doctoral degrees, which are validated by the University of Wales. The School’s courses combine theory and practice. They include geometry, Islamic architecture, icon painting, tilemaking, Islimi/Arabesque, stained glass and mosaic craft. It is also developing outreach and education programmes for Muslim countries and younger people, establishing vocational courses to teach craft, and building links with institutions, especially in the Arab and Asian worlds. Visit the website.
The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts
The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts is an educational charity which provides access for young people who would otherwise grow up having had no, or very limited opportunity, to engage with the arts. It was launched by The Prince of Wales as a pilot scheme in 2002 and started work as an independent charity in 2006.
Children & the Arts believe that if denied access to the arts, children miss out on the enormous benefits that our shared cultural heritage can bring. The arts can play a unique role in the development of a child.
Children & the Arts has two programmes of activity: Start and Quests. Both programmes bring together local and national arts organisations with primary and secondary schools through funding and support. Visit the website.