Here at The Weald we have an active International Links programme which aims to broaden the horizons of students and staff through developing links with schools in a number of countries worldwide.

As part of our international partnership with Namilyango College, a rural Boys Government School in Uganda, we’re thrilled to welcome Miss Justine Kirabo on a two week visit to The Weald.

This partnership programme sees students and staff in both schools work collaboratively on activities that are specifically designed to nurture effective Student Leadership opportunities.

Throughout her stay, Miss Kirabo has been based in the English Department and shadowing students in a variety of different departments to share best practice, exchange ideas and resources and continue to build links between the two schools. She’ll also be developing some of the main and most popular partnership projects such as:

●     ‘Knowing me, knowing you’ - Students are tasked with creating a prospectus of each other’s school by working closely with their Namilyango counterparts. Namilyango students are to create a 3D model of The Weald based on the information they’ve received from their Weald partners. In Sports Journalism students are working to create a sport based magazine about Namilyango College.

●     The Co-operative – Both schools buy and sell on local goods such as necklaces, bracelets and fine silks from individuals and small businesses in their local community. This student led initiative benefits both their local economy and local charity ‘Hands for Hope.’

●     ‘Lifestyles questionnaire’ - this data collection questionnaire is rolled out across both schools as part of the curriculum, to provide real life data for Maths students to work on in class.

●     ‘Virtual classroom’ - currently under development, this project will be piloted in Maths and English classrooms, providing students with the opportunity to experience how these lessons are taught in another country.

Mr Luke Trotter, International Links Co-ordinator ‘Our Ugandan partnership is a great way for us to provide students with opportunities to break down perceptions on both fronts. Students experience lifestyles which are both different to our own and very similar as well, which is equally important. We’re really excited about our next trip out to Namilyango College in October with a small group of Year 11 students.’