The British experience
By Chris Simon

Nantyr Shores Secondary School principal Jean Hargreaves, bottom middle, discussed methods and provided facility tours for six UK teachers.

Tony Rickwood came a long way to be taught a lesson.

The headteacher at Parkside Terrace School in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is used to giving students lessons, not receiving them himself. But that's exactly what he and several others from the UK, The Netherlands and Finland have done over the last week. Arriving in the country last Saturday, they've visited the York Region and Simcoe County public school boards, learning about the different teaching methods that are used in this region.

They'll be spending the next few days at Nantyr Shores Secondary School and the Quest Conference in Toronto, before travelling back to Europe Saturday.

There are several items teachers in the UK could implement in their classrooms, like literacy initiatives and flexibility for learning within the Ontario curriculum, said Rickwood.

"We've been looking at some of the programs they've been developing," he said.

"Really, we're interested in comparing how leadership in schools in this country compares with our model and what impact that has on the students you have. We've seen a lot of very positive things about what the schools are offering ... and what we believe will lead to better student success and participation."

In total, about six UK teachers visited Nantyr last week.

"One of the issues we have to face is developing an educational system that is compulsory up to age 18, we've just got a couple more years grace," he said. "We don't have the vocational support in terms of the classrooms and workshops, and would not be, in general, organizing the high level of real work experience and participation."

Others agree, saying the experience has been beneficial.

Teacher Catherine May appreciates the cooperative education and hands on work environment being established in county schools.

"We're all people that are involved in school leadership," said teacher Catherine May. "It's an opportunity to look at school

905-leadership in another

country.

"The thing that really struck me was the amount of vocational education that goes on (here); we're a bit behind."

The teachers also visited Niagara Falls, as part of the trip.

"It's been striking just how welcoming every teacher and student, right up

to board level, have been,"

said May. "They've been

729-2287 willing to talk to us."

Rickwood became involved in the program at the encouragement of the local board of education in West Yorkshire.

"It combines the Quest Conference with the possibility of doing some work with other professional colleagues. We're a mixture of primary and secondary teachers and were invited to join," he said.

The trip was organized by Leannta, which specializes in international education projects.