25 Chinese teachers visit Potters Bar school
Sophie Blackman
sophie.blackman@whtimes.co.uk
@WHTimes_Sophie
The Chinese teachers visiting Dame Alice Owen's in Potters Bar. Picture credit: Halimah Hussain and Myriam Harmon.
Halimah Hussain and Myriam Harmon
Over 20 Chinese teachers visited a Potters Bar secondary school to look at the British curriculum and use of technology in classrooms.
On Tuesday, October 3, a delegation of 25 Chinese teachers and dignitaries along with University of Hertfordshire representatives and interpreter Mr William Wang visited Dame Alice Owen's School.
The visitors from Hubei Province in central China are based for one month at the University of Hertfordshire to look at the curriculum and use of technology in education.
During a tour of the school, they looked in on an A-level art lesson and experienced a food technology lesson in which Year 8 pupils explored the science behind heating food while preparing sizzling hamburgers.
The visitors also watched a presentation of curriculum design by Dr Matthew James, who impressed the guests with a few phrases in perfect Mandarin.
After a two-course Chinese buffet lunch in the school canteen, the delegates were treated to a presentation by a group of Year 9 digital leaders who have been training teachers in the best use of technology and apps in the classroom.
That was followed by a teachers' perspective on the introduction of mobile devices by physics teacher Matt Pickering.
Teachers were able to share their own teacher-led development work and showed how a move towards evidence-based research is enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in schools across the country.
The group was also treated to a performance by A-level theatre studies pupils under the direction of head of drama, Emma Govier, demonstrating the power of physical expression and great acting to transcend cultures and the inevitable language barrier.
Headteacher Hannah Nemko said: "It was an honour for the school to host the Chinese delegation and to share experiences about the management of secondary schools in general and the use of technology to support student progress in particular.
"We all have much to learn from each other and we were delighted to have been offered the opportunity to do so today."
Alice Owen
Dame Alice Owen's School