The secrets of our success when it comes to placing schools at the heart of a community are to be shared with our friends in Africa this month.
Rhondda Cynon Taf has an effective and successful partnership with Mbale in Uganda, which has seen exchanges on both sides to share expertise in teaching, public services, health and more.
The latest delegation to fly out to Mbale will be staff from Tonypandy Community College, who will spend time in the town showing them how community focussed schools work.
Rhondda Cynon Taf is proud of the place its schools hold in the hearts of their communities, offering not only traditional educational accommodation and facilities, but also bringing in the surrounding neighbourhood, making parents and residents part of education and ensuring they also benefit from school buildings.
Julie Atkins, who delivers community-focussed education at Tonypandy Community College, secured funding from the British Council to visit Mbale and show them how the RCT model works.
She will be joined by governor Kim Davies, who has self-funded her visit to Africa.
Both met Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor Cllr Robert Smith before they set off on their trip to receive civic gifts to present to dignitaries in Mbale.
Cllr Robert Smith said: “I am so proud of the strong and successful links with Mbale, which have benefited both sides greatly in terms of sharing best practice and working to benefit our communities.
“It was interesting to meet with the party from Tonypandy Community College and hear all about their aims for the trip, in terms of showing Africa how we work here with our schools.
“We have a strong commitment to community-focussed schools and it is wonderful to see our educational buildings and facilities being used not only by the pupils who attend, but also by those who go to cluster primary and junior schools – and the wider community also.”
Julie Atkins added: “Community-focussed schools are about raising the profile of the facilities and services we have and ensuring the wider area, including parents, are involved in education.
“It has worked well, especially with E3+ and social activities and we are looking forward to not only sharing this with our partners in Mbale, but also learning from what they do also!”
