Inspired by almost everything I saw in English schools

I was the only Croatian representative at the School Leadership Course in Bath, England, which took place from 27. January 2019 to 2. February 2019.  The course was organised  by Merganser Consulting, Bath. I was given a unique opportunity to find out more about the English educational system and the characteristics of the school management there. There were 14 teachers and headteachers from Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and Belgium in my group. We visited Welton Primary School and Somervale Secondary School, where we had a chance to observe the classes. It was an interesting experience because the teaching methods there are different to the ones in Croatia, due to the fact that the students there are not given grades. The English students do their tasks and projects on their own and they correct their own tests  because their teachers are trying to stimulate their self-suffficiency  and self –reliance. They are taught these skills from the early age since they start attending primary school at the age of 4 and they switch to secondary school at the age of 11. The students can find all sorts of creative learning materials in their classrooms. The library is in the hall and the books are available to the students whenever they want. The students spend one lesson outside every day. Apart from observing the classes, each member of our group  presented the educational systems in their countries and we talked about  the difficulties in organising the classes. The exchange of ideas and experiences was extraordinary and I came back to Croatia determined to start implementing them right away in order to improve the teaching and organisation at our school.

                                                                                                             Edina Operta