C O N T E X T 1 0 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 15 Guided by an overarching theme – valuing, in the case of Liverpool – and ordered around a Friday and Saturday of, respectively national and local topics, the schools will provide opportunities to engage with professional issues at all levels. Around these two days a selection of business and subordinate social events will take place, notably the annual general meeting and the annual dinner. In line with well-established practice, the use of a specific theme for a school provides a general indication of the event’s big directions. From now, with the new format adopted in 2007, the theme needs not restrict content in any way. At Liverpool, the branch introduced a pattern of parallel sessions of topic-specific workshops, talks, walks, classes and seminars. These are, typically, smaller and more accessible groupings, with training centred on interactive and project-based formats, and content guided by current needs identified across the UK organisation. Parallel sessions have the particular advantage that delegates can get specific training in the school that they might not be able to access otherwise, as well as having an opportunity to engage in a more challenging experience, centred on working in smaller groupings. Of course there is never enough time or flexibility to attend all the sessions desired, but we will develop the programmes to maximise opportunities. In addition, because the sessions are specific to the needs of individual professionals, employers can be encouraged to send more staff rather than fewer. Looking at the structure of future schools in more detail, typically the Friday morning will involve major national and regional statements by current leaders on topics of the day, bringing all delegates up-to-date with policies and strategies as they are evolving.There should also be opportunities to interrogate those statements. The parallel sessions in the afternoon will, of course, reflect aspects of those trends, as well as more generic training needs. Saturdays will combine talks and tours, usually themed around opportunities for members travelling from afar to get to know the region in more detail. This all reflects a long-standing arrangement in our schools, but in future we will present it in a more accessible fashion, and specifically encourage members training for a career in historic environment conservation. Of course the annual school is only the highpoint of our annual educational programme. Branches across the UK are regularly providing CPD opportunities, activities and social and cultural events for local members and practitioners, occasionally assisted by the national office. The enthusiasm of branches in applying their organisational skills in support of the institute’s major national training event has been especially remarkable in recent years, helped by the support of the developing national office, we hope. We now have outline agreements for branches to host schools until 2011. These include the South East branch organising the school in Guildford next year, themed around ‘place and setting’; the East Midlands branch presenting the school in Buxton in 2009; the London branch, in 2010, possibly adopting a suitably Olympian theme of ‘sport’; and the Wales branch offering its services for 2011. 2010 is especially important as it will mark the conclusion of our recently-adopted business plan. That year will provide an opportunity for reflection on the way forward for the institute, in particular how it can capitalise on its distinctive strengths, and its unique combination of professional and charitable focus on the practical delivery of a future for our historic places. Liverpool and the NorthWest branch, building on the South West branch’s great work at Plymouth, has set a new standard to challenge us. With the splendid 10th anniversary celebrations enhancing our professional understanding of Lutyens’ cathedral crypt, ably enriched by atmospheric lighting and local live music, the sense of place, space and the pace of fun were all beautifully integrated. Could there be a better way to address your CPD duties?We’ll find out soon, as we will be assessing your registration forms in the very near future. Seán O’Reilly, director@ihbc.org.uk IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007 Many thanks go to members of the Annual School organising committee of the North West branch led by Peter de Figueiredo, and all the presenters and tour leaders at the 2007 Annual School: Graham Arnold, John Benbow, Richard Benjamin, Steve Binns, Kate Borland, Graham Boxer, Councillor Warren Bradley, Julia Carder, Rob Chambers, Kate Clark, Jamie Coath, Martyn Coppin, Kate Dickson, Felicity Goodey, Chris Griffiths, Charles Hand, John Hinchliffe, Dilys Horwich, Deborah Lamb, Robert Lee, David Lovie, Glyn Marsden, Martin McCoy, Steven Parissien, Steve Parry, Elizabeth Pascoe, Norman Redhead, Dennis Rodwell, John Seaman, Joseph Sharples, Liz Stewart, John Stonard, Adrian Swain, Eileen Willshaw, Judy Ling Wong, Gill Wright, John Yates. The IHBC is also grateful for English Heritage’s contribution in support of the valuable training and CPD provision made by the institute’s Annual Schools. IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007 IHBC Annual School 2007
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