INTERNATIONAL LINKS
Head Susan
Tranter’s
school is
building some
Ni hao!
fantastic links with
colleagues in China, which
are developing as quickly as
New friends: Students exercising at the
her education in Mandarin!
New Oriental Foreign Language School in
Yangzhou (left) and primary-aged children
at Yangzhou Yucai Primary School
I HAO! For those of you unfamiliar
N
with Mandarin, this means hello. lessons, visiting cultural sights, and getting first-hand
I have managed over the past experience of living in one of the world’s most densely
few months to pick up a little bit populated cities.
more than hello. I am quite proud Fitzharrys School has links with other schools and
of “Wo-duh ming-d’zih Susan”, communities around the world – in France, Germany,
which means my name is Susan, and Uganda. Most recently a group from Fitzharrys
and the few other phrases I have learnt. participated in a World Challenge expedition to South
I was interested in building links with China because from international speakers, and partnering with other class of children at 6pm learning English reminds us of Africa.
the market town that Fitzharrys School serves is schools. the importance placed on education. Their commitment It is important that students learn to see themselves
predominately a static White working class community, I have been fortunate enough to visit China twice to providing a high quality education is remarkable. as global citizens. Our students and staff return enriched
with mobility created mainly by the presence of a large since 2007. We spent time visiting a range of schools Fitzharrys School has two projects at this time. In from their experiences with a greater understanding and
army barracks. As a secondary head leading a specialist and education providers in Shanghai and the Yangzhou September, a teacher from Yangzhou is coming to spend appreciation of other cultures. I think this gives them
technology college, I was curious to see what it was province. When visiting other cultures there is some a term with us, to learn more about English pedagogy confidence to try new things out.
like to be a teacher in a Chinese school, and to gain an reserve and I think that is natural. Trust has to be earned and to teach Mandarin. We hope that Fitzharrys As Professor Yong Zhao, a founding partner of iNet,
understanding of what it meant to be a leader in their through partnership and sharing of information. I was students will think more about global opportunities has said: “Schools, as institutions charged with the
education system. invited to give presentations and talks on aspects of our and learn something of a very different culture; that responsibility for preparing future citizens, must take
I hoped to learn something of how they tackle the system – they are very keen to learn. teachers will gain from hearing about how colleagues globalisation into full consideration when fulfilling their
challenges of a truly mass education system. They know I started to get some sense of how they tackle the work in another part of the world; and that we will be responsibilities. A globalised world is an interconnected
that the route to prosperity is through education and challenges of schools with 5,000 students. How do you contributing to educational partnerships by sharing our and interdependent world where all human lives are
I hoped to pick up ideas on how we can promote the feed them all? How do you create a sense of community? expertise on how to teach English. intertwined, regardless of where they live on the
importance of lifelong learning and education in our How do you personalise the curriculum and keep track We are also working with our family of partner planet.”
community. If we are to be truly world class then we must of the progress of each child in a class of 50? primary schools. Working with primary partners has The challenge from the Chinese dragon is something
have an understanding of what works in other countries By sharing my knowledge and ideas I found them many benefits – as secondary school teachers we we have to acknowledge – but perhaps the fire is
and find ways to adapt and implement that here. increasingly willing to tell me of their issues and I have much to learn from the way which our primary the passion for education, the commitment to shared
Our starting point was iNet, the international arm moved a little way from being a guest to being their colleagues personalise learning, and they in turn goals, and a willingness to learn from others. Embrace
of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Its partner. learn from our subject specialisms. For children, this globalisation and there is nothing to fear. SecEd
mission is to create powerful and innovative networks We have developed links between Fitzharrys and emphasises that learning is lifelong and continuous and
of schools, committed to achieving sustained change schools in Yangzhou, and Fu Xing High School in it promotes community cohesion. • Susan Tranter is headteacher at Fitzharrys School in
and outstanding outcomes for all students. Shanghai. It is at an early stage, but I have already learnt In spring 2010, we are planning a study visit for Oxfordshire.
There are many opportunities through iNet to much from the links. It has given some of our issues our students to spend a week in Fu Xing High School
engage in links with other countries, by participating perspective, and it has challenged our thinking about where they will enjoy a programme of activities
Further information
in conferences, arranging study visits abroad, hearing personalisation and making provision for all. Seeing a with their peers in China. This will include going to iNet: www.ssat-inet.net
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18 SecEd • May 7 2009
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