Wentworth host Ping Xiang Experimental School teachers
On Wednesday 3rd October and Thursday 4th October, seven senior teachers from a leading Chinese Independent School visited Wentworth Primary School.
A warm welcome of 你好 Nǐ
hǎo (Hello) chorused through every class. Keen to experience good practice they
observed all aspects of the school day, ranging from welcoming the pupils
arriving at the school gate, to Foundation Stage’s free-flow learning, ‘How to
make a jam sandwich’ instructions in Year 1, Phonics in Year 2, Guided
Reading in Year 3, Similes in Year 4, Swimming and PE in Year 5 and Long
multiplication, subordinating conjunctions and Coding in Computing in Year 6.
They quizzed Headteacher, Dawn Dack, Chair of Governors, Geoff Skewes, and the
Senior Leadership Team about teacher recruitment, budgets, the role of
Governors, complaint procedures, curriculum planning, parents meetings,
assessment and reports, SATs exams and Phonics screening and the role of
Teaching Assistants, who are very rare in China.
The Chinese school leaders were very impressed by all the teachers and pupils
at the school. They particularly praised pupil behaviour and focus during
lessons. They were amazed that 420 pupils could respond to a simple raise
of the hand to signal the end of lunchtime and get ready for the next lesson
immediately. They reported that their students do not have a playtime, instead
they would eat lunch then they would go to a classroom to do homework.
MFL Subject Leader, Marion Jones, said ‘As a school that teaches Mandarin, it
is important for us to maintain international relationships, the children value
meeting native speakers and love to share their developing Mandarin skills.
Sharing good practice helps us all to improve.’