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December 2009
The Oxford Academy takes sport to West Bengal
The Oxford Academy Principal, Mike Reading, and Director of Specialisms, Kath Byrom, recently spent a week in Purulia, 250 miles inland from Kolkata, to witness how sport and education are changing the lives of children in the area. The Oxford Academy is one of the first in the UK to be partnered with a school in West Bengal through the International Inspirations programme.
International Inspiration uses the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people in developing countries. The UK and Indian Governments have embarked on a three year collaborative initiative to share expertise and ideas in physical education and sport for development.
Commenting on his visit Mike Reading said: "This is an impoverished area, but education is highly valued. Building up sports within the community is of huge benefit – and what we saw was very impressive, particularly the keenness of students and their families to embrace education with opportunities for improving the children’s leadership skills.
We are delighted to be part of a teacher exchange programme with Purulia Zilla High School and also hope to soon organise a student exchange programme. It would present exceptional opportunities for our students to experience another culture, broadening their knowledge and understanding of the wider world whilst developing new skills."
This is the first time The British Council (Kolkata office) have linked with a school outside of a city area in West Bengal. The programme partnered five other UK schools including Northfield School in Blackbird Leys who were linked into a neighbouring district bordering Purulia.
The group visited a variety of schools including a specialist military school, a school for deaf and dumb students and the highly regarded Ramakrishna Mission School.
International Inspirations Programme - India
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