Through the Turing Scheme, our school is proud to offer pupils the opportunity to broaden their horizons and take their learning beyond the classroom. These international visits allow children to experience new cultures, develop language and communication skills, and build friendships across borders. By working in partnership with schools around the world, we aim to inspire global citizenship, deepen cultural understanding, and give our pupils the confidence to see themselves as part of a connected, international community.
International Partnerships and Visits
Published:
Monday 15th September, 2025
15 Sep '25
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India - February 2024
In February 2024, a group of seven staff and sixteen Year 5 and 6 pupils travelled to Rajkot, India, as part of our Turing Scheme partnership. Working alongside Veena Soni, who leads on British Council projects, we built connections with two partner schools – Panchshil School in Rajkot and The Sunshine School, Cholita.
During the visit, our pupils gained first-hand experience of Indian school life, learning about the value placed on education by their peers and exploring the cultural similarities and differences between our communities. The trip was a truly enriching experience that deepened pupils’ understanding of global citizenship and the importance of education across different cultures.
Christmas Card Exchange
This festive season, we were thrilled to take part in a Christmas card exchange with schools around the world! Our students created and sent Christmas cards to partner schools in Uganda, Florida, and Poland, sharing messages of joy and friendship across continents.
We were especially excited to receive beautiful cards from our friends in Gdańsk, Poland. Reading their warm messages brought a real sense of global connection to our classrooms. We can’t wait to write our responses and continue this wonderful tradition of spreading festive cheer worldwide.
Languages Week
During the last week of the Summer 1 term, our school celebrated Languages Week with a range of engaging activities designed to promote curiosity and appreciation for different cultures and languages across the world.
In Early Years, children explored greetings from France and Spain, learning simple words and phrases while discovering key facts about each country through stories, songs, and play-based activities. In Key Stage 1, Year 1 focused on Spain and Year 2 on France, where pupils developed their understanding of each country’s culture, traditions, and basic language.
In Lower Key Stage 2, Year 3 studied Iceland, learning about its unique landscape and language. Year 4 focused on Afghanistan, which was enriched by a special visit from a speaker who delivered a Dari language session. This provided pupils with a valuable and authentic experience, helping to deepen understanding and promote inclusion.
In Upper Key Stage 2, Year 5 explored Czechia and took part in a live Zoom call with our partner school, Mokrá-Horákov Elementary School, giving pupils the opportunity to connect and communicate with children from another country. Year 6 focused on Greece, learning about its language, culture, and history.
Languages Week was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to broaden their global awareness, celebrate diversity, and develop a love for learning about the wider world.
Florida - April 2025
In a recent trip to the Center for Creative Education in West Palm Beach, Florida, ten Year 5 pupils focused on Global Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Working alongside local students, they collaborated to create a public service announcement (PSA) highlighting the importance of protecting our oceans and keeping water sources free from pollution. The children visited a variety of sites, including a beach clean-up, a turtle rehabilitation centre, and The Hobe Sound Nature Center, gaining hands-on experience of environmental conservation and learning practical ways to make a difference. This inspiring trip strengthened pupils’ understanding of global citizenship and the impact they can have on their local and international communities.
Our link with the Center for Creative Education
Celebrating Wildlife Around the World
Pupils in Years 3, 5, and 6 created artwork inspired by wildlife species that are under threat or endangered in the UK, particularly those native to the North East. Examples include red squirrels, puffins, hedgehogs, and seals. Each class researched their chosen animal, exploring reasons for population decline and the importance of protecting local habitats.
We shared examples of this artwork with our partner school, the Center for Creative Education in Florida, whose pupils are also creating artwork based on animals native to their region. We exchanged digital galleries of their pieces by sharing photos of the completed work.
This activity encourages pupils to compare the threats facing animals in the USA and the UK, raising awareness of conservation, climate change, and habitat protection, while promoting creativity, empathy, and global collaboration through art. Pupils will then reflect on similarities and differences between the threats facing wildlife in both countries, revisiting themes of conservation, climate change, and environmental responsibility through discussion, writing and display work.
Also, during Summer term, Year 5 have been getting to know a new partner school in Czechia. They have got to know some of their pupils over Zoom and taken part in discussions about local wildlife, which was inspired by the fact we were celebrating the birthday of Sir. David Attenborough.
Upcoming Youth Summit - June 2026
We are excited to share that this Saturday, twelve pupils from Year 5 will be travelling to take part in the upcoming Youth Summit. This is a fantastic opportunity for our children to build on the strong international links we have developed with our partner schools.
During the summit, pupils will work collaboratively with children from different countries, taking part in a range of creative and thought-provoking activities led by the Center for Creative Education. The experience will allow them to share ideas, develop confidence, and explore important global themes alongside their international peers.
This opportunity reflects our commitment to developing global citizenship, giving pupils first-hand experiences of working with others beyond their own community. We are incredibly proud of the children representing our school and know they will be excellent ambassadors.
We look forward to sharing updates from their journey and celebrating their experiences when they return.