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Cherie Blair to open UEL’s new Sir John Cass School of Education

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Cherie Blair QC

Cherie Blair QC, leading barrister and outstanding campaigner for equality and human rights, will visit the University of East London (UEL) on Thursday, 8 October to open the magnificent new Sir John Cass School of Education. Cherie Blair will look at UEL’s teaching and learning in action, and meet UEL staff, students and partners, including, headteachers, college principals and education directors, as well as, trustees of the Sir John Cass's Foundation.

Made possible by a substantial grant from the Sir John Cass’s Foundation, The Sir John Cass School of Education is a unique hub for teacher training and development as well as a community resource for children and schools across London. Designed to accommodate almost 2,500 students the School’s outstanding range of impressive facilities includes dedicated research and specially equipped teaching areas, a professional kitchen; a music, dance and drama studio; an ICT lab; an art, design & textiles studio; and science labs.

An enormous benefit to London’s under 25 population, the School was designed to promote a sense of community and will serve as a centre for excellence for teachers in London. Based in the heart of East London, the School will unlock this area of enormous potential, driving local regeneration. Nationally, the School will play a decisive role in filling the UK’s very real need for maths and English teachers.

Located at UEL’s Stratford Campus, The Sir John Cass School of Education is already one of London’s foremost centres for teacher training. Many of its alumni are working in local schools and it is a Category A provider for Secondary teacher training.

As well as teacher training, The Sir John Cass School of Education offers many highly-rated undergraduate programmes, including Early Childhood Studies, Special Educational Needs, Youth and Community Work and Foundation Degrees for Teaching Assistants.

The Sir John Cass School of Education’s ingenious and flexible design was constructed with a sense inclusiveness at its very heart. The building’s impressive Atrium, which provides exhibition space for work by children and students, also gives a light, airy feel. Interior glass walls mean that from any point you can see many of the activities taking place on the building’s four floors, adding to the sense of openness and belonging.

Designed by the award-winning Richard Murphy Architects and financed as part of UEL’s £170 million investment in estates over the last ten years, the School cost £10 million overall. Begun in 2007, the impressive building was completed in April 2009.

Ann Slater, Dean of the Sir John Cass School of Education, said: “We believe our new School, in the heart of east London, is in an area with enormous potential, and will prove to be a catalyst for change not only in the immediate locality but throughout London and the Thames Gateway.”

Professor Susan Price, UEL Acting Vice- Chancellor, said: “We are greatly honoured that Cherie Blair is here to open these wonderful new facilities. At UEL we are committed to transforming the horizons of not only our students, but of the wider community. In opening these wonderful facilities we are celebrating a very special collaboration for all involved.”

Cherie Blair, leading barrister and human rights campaigner, said: “The Sir John Cass School of Education will be a unique hub for teacher training and development, as well as a community resource for children in schools across our region. It is an honour to recognise the huge contribution that the Foundation is making to teaching and children's services in London.”

Kevin Everett, Treasurer and Chairman of the The Sir John Cass Foundation said: “We are confident that the Sir John Cass School of Education will be a new milestone in our Foundation’s work and another lasting legacy of Sir John Cass’s vision.

The Foundation has always sought to promote participation and achievement in education, and I am extremely confident that this state-of-the-art teaching and research centre, will become a centre of excellence, and will make a significant contribution to the standard of education in London for many years to come.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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