A group of school children from a Russian primary group school from Moscow brought the joy and vibrant new experience to their buddies from Silver Tree Primary School in Ushaw Moore, Durham, during a school exchange visit.
The two schools, Primary School 1521, Moscow and Silver Tree Primary, Ushaw Moor, have been partner schools for several years, and this partnership continues to go from strength to strength.
For the last four years, international linking programmes have played a huge part in the learning development at Silver Tree Primary School. Its long-standing partnership with Most Education (Durham) and the school exchange programme with the school in Moscow, remains for many of the pupils, the highlight of their time at the school.
The main purpose of the Russian group visit was to take part in an International Youth Project and to collaborate with young people from Silver Tree Primary School, Durham. This International Primary Project is organised by Most Education CIC in partnership with Silver Tree Primary School, Durham.
This is an important element in the Youth International Project and Development of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, for students aged 6 to 12.
This Project helps the children from the local communities of Durham to have a personal experience of collaboration with youngsters from Russia.
“The Russian children visit the partner school and work collaboratively in lessons. They take part in English, Maths, PE, art, or music, all working enthusiastically together. They meet face-to-face their international partners and after some initial shyness soon became friends,” says Most Education Founder Lana Britton.
The Russian art teacher delivered a Russian Art Workshop for pupils of Silver Tree school making “Spring Dolls for Luck”.
This Primary Project:
* focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.
- encourages international-mindedness in primary pupils
- encourages a positive attitude to learning, by engaging students in inquiries and developing their awareness of the process of learning so that they become lifelong learners
Both sides went through the following six themes of global significance and created activities that allowed all the participants to “step up” beyond their current knowledge of learning:
- Who we are and Where we are in place and time
- How we express ourselves
- How we organise ourselves
This Youth International Project:
promotes young people’s active citizenship in general and their Global citizenship in particular;
develops solidarity and promotes tolerance among young people;
The Exchange finished with an outstanding performance of young Russian dancers together with their English buddies impressing the whole school audience with their confidence, skills and gratitude for friendliness.
Natalie Maughan, Head Teacher of Silver Tree Primary School explained: “ The children had an amazing and enriching week. They made some fantastic friendships and were able to find out about the Russian culture through real-life and first hand experience. I would definitely recommend them to any school, we will certainly be welcoming the children back into our school next year.”
Most Education’s Lana Briton added: “This project was specially designed to give our young primary children a personal experience and the confidence to work in international context by developing interpersonal and communicational skills from earlier ages.”
This international project & student exchange was organised by Most Education, which is the North’s hub for intercultural relations and educational opportunities. It actively promotes Youth Exchange Projects, Teachers’ professional development, School Partnerships, International learning & cultural experiences and Communities alliances. The project further promotes the North-East of England to a worldwide audience for future tourism.