Kenya link-up boost for Richmond Academy

Date published: 09 February 2018


Richmond Academy in Oldham has forged a new partnership with Kimathi Primary School in Kenya as part of Connecting Classrooms, a unique global education programme.

This programme is successfully run in more than 30 countries by the British Council in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID).

It equips teachers with the knowledge and techniques to teach young people the skills they need to live and work in an increasingly globalised economy.

Connecting Classrooms will enable Miss Martin, lead teacher for EAL, and Miss Marsh, Assistant Principal, to take part in a visit to Kenya during the half term holiday to share their experiences and success in teaching and implementing the core skills in their own curriculum.

The visit will also provide a platform for success to be shared globally along with exchanging insights and ideas on how to improve teaching and learning in schools.

During the visit, they will be involved in teaching and demonstrating how opportunities for talk are provided, collaboration and deeper thinking.

They will also be involved in a conference held by the Kenyan government where they are re-designing the curriculum.

On hearing the news that Richmond have successfully applied to take part in a Connecting Classrooms professional partnership visit, Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of the British Council, said: "I am delighted that Richmond Academy, a Harmony Trust School in Oldham, is taking on this excellent opportunity to develop their professional practice by collaborating with teachers from Kenya and the UK.

“Their commitment to equip young people with skills and understanding for life and work in an increasingly global economy is to be commended."
Mrs Rahman, Head of Academy, said: "This is such a wonderful opportunity for Richmond Academy.
"It enables us to not only develop international partnerships but also to offer great learning opportunities for our staff and pupils.

“We are looking forward to sharing our teaching of the core skills with Kimathi Primary School and to learn from, with and on behalf of each other.”

Mr Hughes, The Harmony Trust CEO said: “I am delighted that Richmond Academy is forging such an ambitious global education partnership with Kimathi Primary School.

“Children and staff stand to gain so much from sharing their learning across two continents.”