School links up with Africa

One of our schools, Tupton Hall near Chesterfield, has been making active links with schools in Africa in two separate, ground breaking projects.

A group of sixth form students has set off for South Africa to take part in the 2007 World Challenge. The Tupton Hall School team is one of several UK schools taking part in the month long expedition, which involves physical, mental and emotional challenges. Earlier in the year, Tupton students prepared for the adventure with two nights under canvas in the Peak District and a 14 kilometre hike.

The next soccer World Cup may not be until 2010, but Tupton Hall School has already joined the Dreams and Teams project which is linking African and UK schools together in the run up to the South Africa World Cup finals. Tupton, a sports specialist college with a thriving sixth form, has joined with Aguda Senior Grammar School in Lagos, Nigeria.

“The contrast between the facilities at Tupton and those in Aguda are stark,” said head teacher Patrick Cook. “They have no electricity or running water and very few educational resources. Lessons are taught in large classes of over 60 students with worn out exercise books. Everyone plays football as the school doesn’t have other sports facilities.”

Tupton has donated a laptop computer to enable the school to link up with Tupton students and teachers via email and to access the learning resources on the Tupton Hall School website. Head of Sport, Mrs. Watson, introduced the African students to rounders on her recent visit with over 90 students joining in and followed this with English Country dancing accompanied by African drums!