International Links

International work is a valued part of our curriculum at Dee Banks. We are fortunate to have long standing links with both Schule an der Kleistrasse in Oldemburg in Germany and Blouvlei School in South Africa. This has involved both staff and students taking part in joint visits and projects with a range of staff having visited South Africa and both staff and students visiting Germany. We have also enjoyed hosting staff and students from our partner schools. We have recently been awarded the International Schools Award Intermediate Certificate as recognition of our work with our partner school in Africa.

South Africa 2019

I was really lucky to be chosen to go to Cape Town last October to spend time at Blouvlei school (Our partner school)

This year’s theme for the visit was outdoor education and Forest School. I brought equipment and delivered sessions for the school. I sent lesson plans and left the equipment I took as a gift for the school.

The most successful part of the trip was the time spent with staff and pupils of Blouvlei School. We got on really well, made good friendships and shared a lot of information with each other. It was great to see how peers from a different country/culture go about doing a very similar job.

I have got a real insight into what the school experience is like for SEN children in Cape Town. I learnt a lot about the history and culture and what this means for the residents of the city. I really enjoyed the trip up Table Mountain and the view from the top helped me to appreciate the sheer size of Cape Town. Also, the safari was a real highlight and one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ moments. It was a fantastic trip and very worthwhile learning from the Blouvlei staff and sharing my own knowledge and expertise.

Germany 2018

In September 2018 we had a joint residential with our German partner school which is called Schule an der Kleiststrasse from  Oldenburg in Germany.  We stayed at the Wingate Centre and the focus of the residential was Exercise and Healthy Eating. We took part in lots of different activities which included visiting Delamere Forest and New Brighton beach, gymnasium session at the Wingate, bowling, Swimming and bikes at Dee Banks. The week was a great success and helped continue our partnership and build the schools relationship.

South Africa 2018

We also have a partner school in South Africa called Blouvlei School which Jude and Lois were lucky to go and visit during February 2018 and had a brilliant experience of seeing their culture and see the differences and similarities in our schools. Lots of the work from these partnerships, including the school garden and recycling, is really important parts of our school curriculum.