This year, the Race and Equality Diversity Service were asked by the International Office if they would like to plan and host a group of 12 European educationalists who were interested in "Inclusion and Bilingual Teaching". Fortuitously, the week they were arriving coincided with Stow Fair and we built a comprehensive timetable around this annual event.
During their stay, the visitors received talks on the British Educational system, the work of the Race Equality and Diversity Service, the importance of Every Child Matters and other pertinent aspects of Inclusion.
To gain practical experiences, the week was divided into Ethnic Minority Achievement work with the Black Community including Fishpool, new arrivals, city and rural EAL teaching and the work of the Traveller Education Team. Our visitors were welcomed at Brockworth Enterprise, St. Peter's High, Rednock Comprehensive, Pittville Comprehensive, Widden Primary and St Paul's Primary School. They met pupils, parents and staff (including our own bilingual staff) and also attended a Black Forum event. On top of this they were taken to the Stow Fair and saw the educational tent as well as all the horse selling and cultural aspects of the event. They also visited Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucester Cathedral and sampled some English pubs and restaurants. All this in just 5 days!!!
As you can appreciate, they were left exhausted but, hopefully, enlightened and we, in turn, enjoyed absorbing their approaches and perspectives.
