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North West Academies Trust (NWAT) was established in 2011 to open Chester’s first free school, St Martin’s Academy, with the aim of providing world-class education within the academy and free school sector. The Trust currently has thirteen primary and secondary schools across Cheshire and Shropshire.
Introducing global links
With the support of the Global School Alliance, Grosvenor Park Academy were successful in their Turing Scheme bid and were awarded funding for twenty pupils across three of the NWAT Chester primary schools to visit their partner school in India on an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The journey offered the children a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant new culture, explore historic landmarks, and experience a completely different learning environment. During their trip, pupils visited some of India’s most iconic landmarks, including the magnificent Taj Mahal, the bustling markets of Delhi via rickshaw, India Gate, Qutub Minar, and religious sites such as a Sikh Gurdwara and a Hindu temple.
As part of the educational and cultural exchange, the pupils from Acresfield Academy in Upton, St Martin’s Academy in Hoole and Grosvenor Park C of E Academy in Chester city centre visited Brilliants Convent Senior School in Delhi, where they engaged with local students, gaining first hand experience of a different education system and forming meaningful international friendships.
A fun packed first day for @NWATrust year 6 children as we arrived in Delhi. A rickshaw ride through the market, India Gate, Qutub Minar and a very fancy lunch! 🇮🇳🇬🇧@ShitChester @GSchoolAlliance @Acresfield1 @StMartinsChest2 @GrosvenorParkA pic.twitter.com/T6Jo209NKp
— GrosvenorParkAcademy (@GrosvenorParkA) February 1, 2025
From Chester to Delhi – a 4,253-mile trip
Far too early in the morning, 20 children and seven teachers, all part of North West Academies Trust, set off on a cold wintery January day to start an adventure of a lifetime in India.
When we touched down at Delhi International Airport we were greeted by our guide, Rohit, he took us to Old Delhi where we explored Chandni Chowk market by cycle rickshaw. After a brief encounter with some banana eating monkeys (they really were eating bananas whilst swinging from the electrical cables), a cow sitting in the middle of the road, multiple pot-holes and a delicious cup of masala chai we drove south, past the India Gate and Red Fort to Qutb Minar which is not only a victory tower built in the 11th century, but also a popular location to film your TikTok dance routine!
After a good night’s sleep and breakfast of lentil dahl and some lightly spiced chapatis, we travelled south to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Here we were greeted at our hotel with marigolds and rose water – a beautiful introduction to such a beautiful city. Despite only having 24 hours here, we packed in a lot. The Royal Palaces, Jantar Mantar (Astronomical Observatory), Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and Amer Fort – all were an impressive mixture of marble, intricate stone carvings, beautiful views and elephants of all sizes. We even had time to try our haggling skills at the local bazar.
The next stop on our journey was Agra and ‘yes’, the Taj Mahal was everything we had imagined and more. A genuinely breathtaking experience. At one point during our visit, the heavens opened. As huge warm raindrops fell, the crowds all ran for shelter, but we stayed to see a rare, deserted view of the Taj.
We were all super excited for our return to Delhi, we had seen some really cool things so far, but nothing topped the welcome we received from our sister school Brilliants Convent. Music, dancing, singing, marigolds; a riot of colour and movement greeted us – we felt like rockstars!
CEO of North West Academies Trust, Steve Docking OBE, commented: “This trip has been an extraordinary opportunity for our pupils to experience a different culture, broaden their horizons, and create lifelong memories. The experiences they have gained will undoubtedly inspire them in their learning and personal growth for years to come.”
Charlotte Gill, International Coordinator at Grosvenor Park Academy, added: “The Global School Alliance opens the world to young minds; they created an experience which changed our students’ lives. Meeting our sister school in Delhi was deeply moving and unforgettable. Their passion, care, and vision make global learning real, meaningful and fun. They don’t just organise trips – they create global citizens. We’re so grateful, and excited to see where the journey leads next.”
Immersive partner school visit
”The experiences they have gained will undoubtedly inspire them in their learning and personal growth for years to come.
Steve Docking OBECEO of North West Academies Trust
When we arrived at Brilliant’s Convent, we were all a little bit nervous, even the teachers. But we had no need to worry. Very quickly we were surrounded by new friends, all wanting to show us their fantastic school, ask questions and challenge us to a game of cricket! We joined our new friends in their classrooms some of us had a go at robotics, cookery, art, traditional dancing, and even maths was fun! The best part was when the whole school came out onto the playground and we just played together – no language barrier, no need to explain the rules, we just had fun.
Measuring the impact
Our aim was to allow the children to experience a culture so very different to their own and make them realise that travel, international opportunities and thinking beyond their own town is achievable and accessible.
Every parent rated the trip as outstanding, with many describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for their child. The organisation of the trip was highly praised, with parents appreciating the smooth logistics and the dedication of the teachers in making everything run seamlessly.
Parents highlighted a range of benefits their children gained from the experience:
- Personal Growth & Independence: Many children returned with a newfound sense of confidence, independence, and resilience. One parent noted their child had “come back a different person – in the best way possible!”
- Cultural Experiences: The chance to explore India’s rich culture, from food to historic sites, was a major highlight. Several children were particularly fascinated by visiting schools, temples, and local communities—experiences they wouldn’t have had on a typical holiday.
- Making New Friends: Both within their school group and beyond, children built new friendships that parents believe will last a lifetime.
- Unforgettable Memories: From dancing to sightseeing to even spotting cows in the streets, every child seemed to have their own special moments that made the trip unique to them.
Building on the success
North West Academies Trust is building on the success of its first exchange by applying for further Turing Scheme funding to support a second trip. In partnership with Brilliant’s Convent Senior School, they are developing joint science projects focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and planning live co-taught lessons between UK and Indian classrooms. The Trust also aims to embed global collaboration across the curriculum, ensuring international learning becomes a regular and meaningful part of students’ education.
