INTERNATIONAL THINKING in association with
Deputy head
Louise Wood
from The
Beaconsfield
Hands of
School explains their
successful links with a
school in Sierra Leone
friendship
SPENT MANY years in a previous school
I
trying to establish meaningful international
partnerships without a great deal of success, so
when Plan International launched its linking
programme and was looking for schools to be
part of the pilot, I seized the opportunity. The
biggest frustration is always communication
and Plan has made this possible.
We opted to link with a school in Sierra Leone, but
they also operate the programme in Malawi and Kenya.
Our partner school is The Government Rokel School,
which is in Freetown in Sierra Leone.
Plan has an office based in Freetown, so any
communication goes from head office in London direct
and is then taken into the school. The co-ordinator there
is of Sierra Leone origin but has experience of working
in the UK system for 10 years, which is an enormous
asset when looking at building bridges and working
collaboratively.
In the beginning, we focused on the similarities as
well as the differences. The underlying objective is that
we learn from each other, forming a true educational
partnership and not a charity giving experience. I
wanted my students to look outside their bubble,
experience different cultures, and respect diversity.
We researched Sierra Leone together and the
students began communicating through letters. A small take it to the next level and visit The Government Rokel mosques and churches alike. This underlying respect is • Looking at the importance of regular exercise to
number took part in live weblinks and spoke to our School and Sierra Leone for myself, allowing me to something I believe we could all learn from. maintain a healthy heart and for British students to
friends in Freetown personally. They discussed issues speak face-to-face with Lydia Shaw, their link teacher. The first day began with an assembly where I fight the national obesity scare, specifically
around bullying and corporal punishment, but found In February, I was the first teacher from the Plan became an honorary past student. The school band looking at the immediate, regular and long-term
friendship in football, music and mobile phones. linking programme to visit Sierra Leone. Having never performed and the boys’ gymnastics team put on an benefits of exercise.
These students were able to share their experiences been to Africa it was a real eye-opener and the most amazing display. The students were proud to wear
with others back in Beaconsfield, which brought the amazing of experiences. their uniforms and were ecstatic when I told them
Emotional health and wellbeing
project alive. Some of our older students took part in The affects of the war are still very real, and for that our students had sent them all a pencil from The • Looking at the complete picture of what makes
the “Because I’m a Girl” campaign, speaking directly people with so few material possessions they are Beaconsfield School. We handed out all 1,700 of them us healthy. Working in drama to develop circle time
to those who had been through some terrible ordeals. It incredibly warm, friendly and happy. It was evident that personally and they were truly delighted. on SEAL (social and emotional aspects of learning)
was very moving. we could learn from each other. Each government school in Sierra Leone shares and to develop our community in school as a caring
In the first year it was mainly limited to year 8s Probably the most impressive aspect of their culture their building with another school. Our partner school one. This includes training year 9 students, who in
in their geography lessons, but I wanted the whole is their religious tolerance. About 60 per cent are operates on shift one from 7.30am to 1pm. Shift two turn will lead others in our vertical mentor groups.
school to know about the partnership and be able to Muslim and 40 per cent Christian. You may even get a comes in at 1pm and goes straight to the courtyard • Sharing anti-bullying strategies.
get involved. divide within a family, but this causes no difficulties. for assembly while the rest of the school vacate the
For the partnership to move forward, I needed to Friends of opposite religions are welcome in both premises. This means that students are unable to stay
Personal, social and health education
for extra-curricular activities or help with work, and the • Hygiene and sanitation – looking at safe practices.
staff are unable to hold meetings or training sessions. • Exploring the development of students’ rights in
Around 60 per cent of teachers are unqualified relation to active participation in lessons.
and some have not been paid for up to 18 months.
Resources are virtually non-existent and learning has
Healthy eating
limited understanding or challenge. The teacher tells • Examining nutritional intake.
the students the information which is also on the • Looking at local produce for both schools,
blackboard. The students repeat this information and producing different menu choices, and then
then copy it into their books. They are often questioned, examining the nutritional value.
but again simply repeat the information they have been • Looking at the consequences of poor diet and
provided with. how this may relate to life expectancy, such as
Yet the teaching is not so far removed from what eating disorders etc.
we recognised as acceptable 20 years ago, when • Looking at the importance of the intake of water
dictation and copying was the norm. Students want to and how this can increase learning.
learn and better themselves, and teachers are doing the We are very keen to continue our communication
best they can to provide education under very difficult through letter and this is now being done within year 7
circumstances. English lessons.
Most of the classroom furniture was burnt in the After initial introductions they have covered topics
war and has been replaced with homemade or metal such as street trading, violence in sport, and bullying.
furniture. Students have to share, two to a seat and three The students are proud to be ambassadors for the school
to a desk. Despite this students are well behaved and all and took part in parliamentary launch this month. We
have a writing book and pen. are also exchanging traditional music and looking at
Corporal punishment and student participation are cultural influences.
very controversial issues in Sierra Leone and with an I was also asked to present to a group of principals
average class size of 70 students and often as many and other staff at the British Council offices on the
as 90; I can understand their fear of losing control. I British education system.
believe, however, that they are ready to embrace change This created some lively debate on how much
to enhance students’ learning and produce the leaders students should be involved in the learning process.
of tomorrow. Active participation is going to be a key development
I also took with me “hands of friendship”, produced for them over the coming years.
by our year 8 students with individual messages to our We are now busy making arrangements for a
friends in Sierra Leone, and they made pictures for me reciprocal visit from Lydia, who will hopefully visit us
to bring back. I presented a collage of photos and taught next month.
over 150 students how to play rounders, leaving them Funding is the constant battle, but where there is
with the equipment so that they could continue. a will there is always a way. I hope eventually to also
They endeavoured to teach me a dancing game facilitate a student exchange. All of this would not have
called Akai, much to the amusement of all. I am hoping been possible without the continued support and advice
Lydia will be able to teach our students during her time from Plan who have been tremendous in establishing
with us this summer. such a purposeful partnership. SecEd
The main objective of the visit was to establish the
New friends: Louise Wood way forward and a joint project. The underpinning • Louise Wood is deputy headteacher at The Beaconsfield
from The Beaconsfield theme for this is “healthy schools”, which we were School in Buckinghamshire, which was awarded the
School and her partner Andy awarded in December 2008. We wanted to address all DCSF International School Award last year by the
Gattward during their visit four strands. Some of the key areas of collaboration British Council.
to The Government Rokel are around:
School in Sierra Leone. One of
Further information
the assemblies in the school
Physical activity
• Plan International: www.plan-international.org
courtyard is pictured above • Learning a new traditional sport from Sierra Leone • The DCSF International School Award:
and for us to teach them rounders. www.globalgateway.org.uk
SecEd • May 21 2009 19
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