An International Dimension to Hayesbrook
Preparing our students for today's global society
Over the past few years the Government has been promoting internationalism in education and urging schools to make links with foreign schools, thereby "Putting the World into World-class Education." This government publication states that
"Direct contact with other cultures and languages is instrumental in raising standards, achievement and motivation, as well as enhancing delivery across the curriculum."
The Hayesbrook School was awarded the full International Schools Award in 2007 and is currently linked with 6 schools around the world, all benefiting our students in a number of ways:
- Links with schools in France, Germany and Spain provide opportunities for students to communicate independently with foreign students their own age, thus developing their linguistic skills while learning about each others' cultures first-hand
"My son now has a French MSN / penpal. He is speaking French with her on almost a daily basis. This is improving his speaking and writing skills. He is also a keen scientist and found this aspect of the trip interesting. The trip has converted Christopher from an unwilling French student into a willing one."
[Parent of a Year 10 student following a French exchange.]
- Links with schools in South Africa, Thailand and The Gambia broaden the horizons of our students by making them aware of the diversity of the world in which we live, the crucial difference between needs and wants, and the importance of respecting others.
"This week has been by far the best week of my life so far. The experiences have been incredible and unforgettable. I gained and learned so much from the week including a whole new broadened perspective on life outside Britain. I would urge anyone to go on a trip like this as to fully understand the life of those in developing countries.
[Year 13 student after a week working at a primary school in The Gambia.]
"The range of educational experiences was huge. We visited different sites to understand the whole Thai culture. Thais are so friendly. I now appreciate how lucky I am when comparing our living standards and also the beauty of scenery around the World. I wish we could have stayed longer as you bond so closely with your Thai families."
[Year 12 student following a week in Thailand.]
- As well as learning about other cultures, international links develop our students' awareness and understanding of their own culture by identifying the differences between our culture and that in the foreign country.
- By developing international links and using them in lessons, as a school we are putting learning into a real context and bringing topics across the curriculum to life.
Every year, numerous trips take place which are enjoyed enormously by students and staff alike. Among these are ski trips, foreign language exchanges and a sixth form trip to Thailand which are run annually, and a sixth trip to The Gambia which is run bi-annually. All trips have a huge impact on our students and they always return from less developed countries such as Thailand and The Gambia, both of which are used to develop their leadership skills as well as their cultural understanding, as much more confident, open-minded individuals.
