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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-04-20, Page 13Tlmes-Advocate, April 20, 1994 Page 13 __COMMILINITY Teachers from England tour area schools EXETER - Last week, 23 British teachers from Kent County Eng- land wrapped up a two week stay in Huron County. While here they sat in on meet- ings and classes, toured a number of schools and talked a lot to teach- ers and students about the educa- tion system in England. Two of the British visitors, Julie Carter and Beryl Haigh were based out of Exeter Public School while a third, Brian Webb was at Stephen Central. Each of them had a specific area they wanted to explore regarding the education system in Canada. All three agreed that schools in Ontario were extremely spacious and had a wealth of equipment. Webb said the buildings in Huron County were very clean. "The stu- dents here seem to have greater re- spect for the buildings," he said. Other differences they noticed had to do with how education bud- gets are handled. Haigh said for the most part each school in England manages its own budget. But she said, the difference in how our system works from the British system might have some- thing to do with the difference in population. In Kent County there are about 650 schools and 1.5 million people. While touring different schools in the county, Carter said she paid special attention to how geography was taught in the classroom. "It's a personal interest on mine," she said. As well, Carter heads up the program at her school in England. At her school she teaches Level 4 which is the same as Grade 3 in Ontario, while Haigh's position is equal to a kindergarten teacher in Ontario. Haigh said she was surprised to learn that junior and senior kinder- garten where being taught together. At her school there are enough stu- dents that they can be separated into classes according to their birth de. "Kids in each class are no more than four months apart in age," she said. Webb is a secondary school teacher and head of design andl technology. In Kent County, he said the pro- gram begins in primary school with students ranging in age from 4 1/2 to eleven years old. "They work on simple designs, but it's a initiation into the process. That's the impor- tant part," he said. Webb said the benefits of the pro- gram are that students learn to solve problems, "And be critical of things around them; always want- ing to know how things work." While he toured elementary and secondary schools in Huron County, Webb said it was interest- ing to see that people here are just as resistant to changing the design and technology program as in Eng- land. "It's the same problem at home," he said. And while the hot topics in edu- cation here are the Social Contract and financing education, England is not without its own critical issues. Budget cuts have also hit many school districts in England. And Carter said a 1980 Curriculum Re- port in England is the cause of a lot of concern. "They have done many revisions and adjustments to the report to try and fine tune it," Carter said. "It's suppose to cut down on the work load of teachers," she said. As the two-week stay was wrap- ping up, Haigh said group members would begin writing informal re- ports to compare the two education systems. And that, she said, is one of the benefits of the exchange program. Haigh said this type of exchange has been running in England for more than 10 years, but this is the first time the three had taken part in it. As well, this was the first time the program targeted this part of Onta- rio. Haigh said there are many reasons to go on this kind of an exchange program. "It makes us appreciate what we do have," she said. In late June, the teachers in Huron County who played host to the Brit- ish visitors will be travelling to Eng- land on a similar exchange. Although our teachers will be on summer vacation, in England school will still be in progress until the end of July. And while the British teachers re- ceived funding to come to Canada, our teachers will pay all expenses out of their own pocket. wren Webb is a high schooi design and technology teacher in" Kent County, England, and toured a number of schools in Hu- ron County. • `� L'a Lia Touck" and tha vl� teer8t Our looe our great v toallo VON PALLIATIVE CARE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM At x2395.0° it's simplythe fest cut around. The 500 Series lawn tractor uses a unique axle•mounted mowing deck design to give you the best cut you can buy. And with our convenient payment plan, you can ,;et this quality for about ten bucks a week. Stop in and test drive one today. Plus, see the optional Mulching/Leaf Shredding attachment that eliminates raking and bagging while nourishing your lawn. The 500 Series. Only$2395.00.... and only at your AGCO Allis dealer. 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