Warwickshire News Mine

The pupils aged eight and nine from Ozel Izmir SEV Ilkogretim Okulu in Izmir, Turkey, will be accompanied by their parents and two teachers from the school. They will spend the week with staff and students from Stockton to find out about life at a rural school and work together on projects to strengthen links between the two education centres.

Headteacher Lucie Buran previously taught in Izmir and has maintained a close relationship with the school since returning to the UK seven years ago. This has enabled several projects to take place internationally including making a DVD about their towns, and exchanging presentations for World Children’s Day. Stockton is also the only primary school outside London to teach the Turkish language at Key Stage 2.

To extend cultural learning, activities have also included, filming a Turkish cookery lesson and sending it to Izmir with English instructions, and exchanging problem-solving activities in Turkish. Year 5 and 6 pupils have compared villages, towns and cities in both countries and investigated local resources.

On their visit, the Turkish pupils will be joining their English peers on a trip to Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve for an animal habitat project which will kick start their work for the week. This will culminate in a work presentation to parents both Turkish and English on Thursday 1 July.

The presentation event will be a chance to look at the pupils work, participate in planting an apple tree (symbolic of the two schools growing together) and to enjoy a traditional English cream tea.

They will also be joined by Judith Walker, International Development Officer from Warwickshire County Council who will be acknowledging Stockton’s progress towards the Department for Education’s International School Award. Judith said: “I’m looking forward to visiting the school to find out more about its creative work with the school in Izmir.

“Stockton Primary School has embraced international development and is even supporting other schools by sharing information packs which include activities suitable for different Key Stages.”

Parents of the Turkish and English students will be invited to the presentation event to look at the pupils work, plant an apple tree (symbolic of the two schools growing together) and to enjoy a traditional English cream tea.

Mrs Buran said: “We are all looking forward to welcoming our Turkish visitors next week.  This is the first time students of this age have been involved in a learning exchange and we hope many more opportunities will follow in years to come.

“We have made some fantastic links and our children have learned a lot about diversity and the importance of respecting other cultures. On behalf of the school, I would like to thank Warwickshire County Council and the British Council for their support of our work.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms added: “Stockton is a shining example of how even small schools can have a big impact on international development in education. It is so important that children experience different faiths and cultures to help them to value and respect diversity whilst learning more about their local heritage.”

Link to WCC