Warwickshire News Mine

Teachers Sheila Burtt from Wootton Wawen CofE Primary School, Steve Brehany from Wilmcote CofE Primary School, Adam Mosley from Harris School in Rugby and Jeanette Lomas from Exhall Grange Special School and Science College, visited schools in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 

The initiative, which is the first of its kind for Warwickshire schools and Biblelands, saw teachers building relationships and sharing ideas with schools in occupied territories. The visit will help pupils in Warwickshire, some of whom attend small rural schools, to develop their global awareness and citizenship skills.

Su McClellan, BibleLands regional representative for Central England who set up the scheme along with Mo Burnley, Overseas Operations manager, said: “We also made contextual visits to key holy sites, the Holocaust Memorial and the Separation Barrier. These provided a valuable insight into the situation faced by teachers and students in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.” 

The partnership and funding from DCSF have been advised and supported by Warwickshire County Council. Judith Young, International Development Officer for Schools at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking project and are looking forward to seeing these relationships develop over the years through joint curriculum projects and the sharing of good practice.”

Mike Cocker, Headteacher of Wootton Wawen Primary School said: “I am really pleased that this link will provide a real life international dimension to our school”.

BibleLands’ Overseas Partners involved in the project are Rawdat El Zuhur Talitha Kumi, Hope School and The Helen Keller Centre.

Link to WCC