Escomb School works hard to introduce our children to the wider world around them, including places in other countries. Being involved in projects such as Erasmus+ and Connecting Classrooms has enabled links with other schools and from these links children have gained a better understanding of the context of each school including cultural norms, school setting, children’s interests and how people in other countries live. Children at Escomb are encouraged to become global citizens and take part in regular activities to champion children’s rights around the world.
We are currently involved in two exciting projects through Erasmus+. These projects give our children the fantastic opportunity to link with other children in schools across Spain, Finland and Czech Republic. Both projects involve the children travelling to each others country, giving them a chance to share and learn about their different cultures and heritage.
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Our friends from Tanzania, Africa.
We have built a successful relationship with our friends from Kisaseni Primary School, Tanzania. Over the years we have worked closely with the school to share work, raise funds and build relationships.
With the focus being primarily on health and fitness, 2014 was a great achievement for the partnership.
Tanzania World Cup.
From the previous visit in 2013, we had planned with Kisaseni and our cluster schools to create a combined World Cup tournament, both in Tanzania and the UK. The first World Cup took place in June, with the following emanating in October. Both tournaments were a huge success and provided memorable experiences for all involved.
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Raising funds for a new kitchen.
As part of our continued partnership with Kisaseni school, we have been raising funds for new sports equipment and to build a new kitchen at the school.
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We enjoyed raising money and colouring the squares for the new kitchen. We also enjoyed the visits from the teachers. Seeing the kitchen was nice.
Our friends from Ogawara Minami, Japan.
In 2014 we created a new international link with a school in Japan. We have been sharing news and events within our schools, similarities and differences and are currently in discussions to for pen pals between the children. We are looking forward to building strong relationships with everybody at Ogawara Minami school.
We made a cherry blossom tree and contacted the school by e-mail. It was very fun and interesting to learn about the school.
2016 has already proved to be a successful year with this partnership. In January 11 students, 3 staff (including Principle Isobe) and Superintendent Sai visited the UK and our Primary School as part of a home-stay exercise. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time in school and the impact of having children visiting our school from another country is immense for all our children, not just those who had children stay in their homes. There was a lovely ‘buzz’ and atmosphere in school; all of the children were so keen to share and learn about each other. When they left to visit London before flying home, there were some very sad children, teachers and parents saying goodbye to each other—a true sign that this is now not only a partnership but a true friendship!
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Our friends from Botswana, Africa.
Mrs Gill was invited to Botswana to establish our new partnership with Letsolathebe Memorial School in the town of Maun. As our partnership with Tanzania has been so successful, we were asked by the British Council Connecting Classrooms team to establish a three way partnership with ourselves, Tanzania and Botswana. On 20th May our group of Bishop Auckland Headteachers involved in the project travelled to Botswana and worked in our partner schools over the half term holiday. The Botswana teachers and their education authority are extremely keen for the project to be a success and this was evident in the preparation, work and fabulous performances that all the schools had prepared for us. Our joint project is called ‘Everyone- all singing all dancing!’ The schools shared their wealth of culture through song, dance and drama.
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