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University of  Sussex MEDIA RELEASE

The Information Office, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.

16th July l998 For immediate release

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR TALENTED PUPILS IN THE SOUTH EAST

Pupils from schools across the south east are to be given an opportunity to take part in a unique Summer School aimed at enhancing their talents in the fields of theatre arts or creative writing.

The School, the only one of its kind in the UK, will run for two weeks from 25 July until 8 August at the Pestalozzi International Children's Village in Sedlescombe, East Sussex. During that time the young people will work closely with professionals from the worlds of literature and theatre. Workshops led by established authors, poets and story-tellers will enable some of the students to explore new ways of releasing their imaginations, and developing the writers' craft. Others will be totally engaged in the world of a theatre company, working with a team whose experience covers directing, performance and stage management in TV, provincial and West End drama and musicals, ballet, contemporary dance, international opera, films and even panto.

On Friday 7 August, at the end of the immersion in the world of words and theatre there will be an evening of performance in front of an invited audience.

The Summer School is organised by the Centre for Talent Enhancement at the University of Sussex. The Centre is a collaborative venture between the University's Institute of Education and the West Sussex Local Education Authority. The idea behind it is to provide young people, who show marked talent in a particular area, with the opportunity to see over the horizon of their interest in a way they would not normally encounter. The Centre will also provide resources for the young people which are not usually available in one place. In addition to the residential summer school, for example, the students will also become part of a talent exchange network serviced by the Centre which will provide them with ongoing support and advice.

The organisers of the Summer School approached around 400 schools from across the south east of England. Each school was asked to nominate potential candidates for the programme. Around 40 students have now been chosen to participate in the first Summer School.

According to Professor Joan Bliss, Director of the University's Institute of Education, "The future of the UK depends on enabling talented young people to develop their potential. This Summer School is a unique opportunity for such young people to meet, work together and inspire one another within the supportive network provided by the new Centre for Talent Enhancement."

For further information contact Pauline O'Reilly, Information Office, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 678335, email: information@sussex.ac.uk

Note for Editors: The Summer School is supported by South East Arts. Pupils attending the School come from schools in East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and the Isle of Wight.


File maintained by USIS - 16th July 1998