This week, we have been delighted to welcome four trainee teachers from Switzerland who will be working with us for the next three weeks:

• Ms Elisa Fonti – Year 3
• Ms Andrina Randegger – Year 4
• Ms Rebecca Jost – Year 5
• Ms Chiara Dotoli – Year 6

During their time here, they will be supporting children in their classes, learning about our English education system, and teaching a little also. Already, they have settled in brilliantly and are impressed with how well our children learn.

Our Swiss colleagues have also noticed some interesting differences between schools in our two countries. For example, in Switzerland:

• Children often start formal schooling a little later than in England.
• Pupils frequently move between languages, with many Swiss schools teaching in both German and French, or Italian depending on the region.
• The school day is often structured differently with some children going home for lunch.

At our school, our International Curriculum values underpin the importance of learning with and from others. Hosting trainee teachers from overseas gives our children a first-hand opportunity to experience global perspectives, celebrate cultural diversity, and build friendships across borders. We believe this prepares our pupils to become confident global citizens, ready to thrive in an interconnected world.

We look forward to the next three weeks of collaboration and learning.