School links and exchanges

'I started my teaching career in South London and in one school we recorded 44 nationalities. All the pupils from such varied backgrounds brought a wealth of diversity to the classroom and enriched the curriculum through their first hand experiences and their varying cultural stances. Assemblies reflected the need to celebrate different religious backgrounds and we all learnt about each of the religions – the commonalities and their differences. Geography had never been more real, and art and music reflected the range of national styles.  Learning about and respecting each others identities was at the heart of all our teaching. 

When I moved to Wales, I was able to explore these positive features at a school with predominantly Bangladeshi pupils. As a Deputy Head and then Head teacher in a school that lacked the diversity of pupils such as I had known before, I was determined to bring the pupils to a world outside their own. Our involvement with the British Council Comenius Programme offered real opportunities for pupils to be Welsh in a European dimension.

Pupils particularly enjoyed our Passport to Europe events where we took every class on a virtual visit to a European country to taste its foods, play games and learn language basics.  The teachers enjoyed the exciting opportunity to share the best of our education with and from visiting European teachers. 

Over the years we have shared our experiences with local head teachers and there are now a number of new Welsh schools who have decided to explore the world through the British Council.'

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Desiree Dunstone, South Africa

Our school established a link with Malbins Lane Community School in Crewe, England and with the help of the British Council Schools projects we were able to develop this link with an exchange visit.  Both schools agreed that a sustainable partnership was important for staff and pupils.  The partnership started to expose the pupils to cultural differences but has grown into much more, with exchanges between teachers that help English teachers understand the challenges of education in South Africa and help us by sharing ideas and resources. Staff from the UK have also helped through our Community Outreach Project in the Inada Valley.

My advice for any school attempting this type of partnership, is don’t try too much too soon.  Let the relationship evolve over time and get staff members on board.  Finances will always be a huge stumbling block for visiting the UK but with communication from email, to skype to web forums, links with UK schools will become easier to establish.