Teachers from northern England connect with schools in northern Israel

Visit to Israel inspires schools to strengthen links

A delegation of teachers from Jewish schools in the North of England toured schools across northern Israel during the recent half-term break (24-28 October 2010). The visit was part of UJIA's School to School Partnership Programme developing educational expertise and strengthening links between British and Israeli schools.

The delegation included six teachers and head teachers from Liverpool's King David High School, North Cheshire Jewish Primary School in Manchester and Brodetsky Jewish Primary School in Leeds. They were joined by staff from schools in London including Clore Shalom, Clore Tikva and JCoSS.

Staff from North Cheshire Jewish Primary School visited Nof Galil Primary School in Farod, their partnership school since 2005. As well as learning about the Israeli education system, observing lessons and meeting teachers, one highlight was a visit to a kindergarten run on ecological principles in Kfar Hananya. Teachers from King David High School and Brodetsky Jewish Primary School visited local schools to understand how to make UJIA's School to School Partnership Programme a success, as well as experiencing life in the Galil to establish a framework for connecting the Diaspora and Israel. They explored their shared history and roots and aspects of Jewish peoplehood in the modern world.

Rachel Clint, Head of Geography at King David High School in Liverpool, said:

"This opportunity allowed us to gain a comprehensive knowledge of both education and life in the north of Israel. The visit gave us the ambition to form a partnership with an Israeli school in the near future and to share our knowledge with staff and pupils at King David High School."

Jackie Savage, Head Teacher of North Cheshire Jewish Primary School, said:

"As part of the programme the delegates were very privileged to have met top educators in Israel to share best practice and look at common issues for improvement. We were also able to visit our partnership school at Nof Galil and further develop our strong links with teachers and pupils."