Lucy & Kaitlin’s pedagogical passage to India

This summer two of our ITT trainees followed in the footsteps of last year’s BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies students - all the way to India.

Lucy Fletcher and Kaitlin Holland - both studying on our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with QTS - spent 18 days volunteering at Holy Angel School in Tehatta. As well as providing a valuable opportunity to practise their teaching, the trip allowed them to experience the education system and culture of a different country.

The students not only spent time getting to know staff and pupils, observing teaching and delivering some lessons - they also had the chance to explore more of India on some of the school’s field trips.

Lucy told us: “The trip helped me to develop my professional identity as a teacher. Observing the different approaches and pedagogies used enabled me to connect how children learn and compare the techniques we use in England. Immersing into the culture broadened my perspectives and experience, giving me the opportunity to reflect on supporting EAL children in my own future practice.

“Travelling to different culturally significant parts of India - such as Mother Theresa’s tomb, various Hindu temples, Christian churches, the Queen Victoria museum and the River Ganges - enhanced my historical and religious understanding, allowing me to take these new experiences into my practice to stimulate cross-curricular creative learning. We were also in India during their Independence Day and we helped the children create decorations for the school.”

Kaitlin added: “Visiting Holy Angel was an unforgettable, invaluable and perspective-changing teaching experience that I will carry with me throughout my teaching career.”

The visit marked a successful continuation for ARU’s relationship with Holy Angel School, which began through Sunrita Dhar Bhattacharjee, whose father founded the school. Plans are now underway for more of our students to follow in Lucy and Kaitlin’s footsteps next summer.