SDBE Multi-Academy Trust

Southwark Diocesan Board of Education (SDBE) Multi-Academy Trust is a values-driven trust dedicated to providing inclusive, high-quality education where all can grow and flourish. Among its schools, St Stephen’s and St Michael’s are committed to fostering global awareness and meaningful international connections. Recently, students from both schools visited their partner schools in Kenya, deepening cultural understanding and strengthening ties as part of their ongoing global learning journey.

Trip to Kenya

St Stephen’s and St Michael’s organised a joint visit to Nairobi, Kenya this year. We took 14 Year 5 and 6 children from across both schools and had an amazing adventure! We started the trip off by visiting an elephant sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants. The children learnt a lot about elephants, their habitats and what actions we can take to support these endangered animals. We also visited a giraffe centre and had a great time feeding the giraffes! After our school visits, we travelled to Lake Nakuru and were able to experience a sunset and a sunrise safari drive – watching an African sunrise was spectacular, surpassed perhaps by being able to watch a warthog and a zebra escape a pride of lions. We also enjoyed the opportunity to visit marketplaces and to eat interesting foods – our children had great fun trying a range of exotic meats like ostrich and ox as well as enjoying traditional Kenyan tea.

Strengthening links with partner schools

We were fortunate to visit two very different schools in Nairobi. We spent 2 days at Peponi House, an international school, where our children took part in a range of activities focused on conservation. They were able to travel with the school’s Eco Team to the Karura Forest where they planted an indigenous tree. We also visited the Welicar Educational Centre, where children from St Michael’s had developed a pen pal partnership over the last few years. Welicar were very proud to show us their school. They shared some traditional and cultural dances and some beautiful singing. Our children also had a chance at both schools to take part in a friendly football game.

Measuring the impact

• The visit was a great opportunity for children to reflect on the diversity that exists globally and also how conservation and looking after the planet is a global responsibility.
• Our children were able to practise their public speaking skills and really enjoyed getting to know others and making friends with children in another country.

Our children’s confidence grew visibly as the week progressed – they definitely made the most of the opportunity and enjoyed the adventure!

Aspirations for developing the partnership

We have begun a new pen pal partnership with Welicar with our Year 3 students so that they can develop a virtual friendship before having an opportunity to visit again. We have invited Peponi House to visit us in England. We are very much committed to continuing the partnerships with both schools.

Amanda Blackburn, Executive Headteacher at SDBE Multi-Academy Trust, said: “Our year 5s and 6s had an amazing, global adventure in Nairobi, Kenya! We were able to learn about the importance of conservation through our school visits and by experiencing wildlife on safari. Feeding giraffes and seeing baby elephants was definitely a highlight. Experiencing another culture was unforgettable and will help our children to develop into global citizens of the future.

Experiencing another culture was unforgettable and will help our children to develop into global citizens of the future.

Gemma Weldrick, Teacher, said: “Visiting Kenya with the children was an incredible opportunity; witnessing four of the ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat will be an experience that will be treasured for a lifetime. Our time at both of the schools we visited has had a lasting impact: it challenged our thinking about the environment as well as gave us new perspectives on our own schools.”

Beccy Hodges, Teacher, said: “Kenya was a fabulous trip, filled with once in a lifetime experiences and adventures. We all learnt so much about the culture, people, environment, education and the amazing wildlife. It opened our eyes and hearts to circumstances that we may never experience, bringing a deeper understanding of a world outside of our own. Celebrating other schools and the children they serve, has allowed us to explore our own education system and take home some valuable lessons that will help shape our future.”

Would you recommend this experience to another school?

I would definitely recommend this experience to other schools – the opportunity to see another culture and lifestyle first-hand cannot be underestimated. Children return from a global trip with a sense of pride, enhanced confidence and a greater understanding of the wider world. It is equally rewarding for school staff who are able to join and see the similarities and differences in education globally. Being able to inspire a future generation of global citizens and adventurers is a great privilege.

How has the Global School Alliance supported you?

The Global School Alliance are incredibly experienced and helpful at all stages of the trip. I really value how they are always on-hand to answer all sorts of questions and troubleshoot anything that might crop up. I would definitely recommend GSA to support with all aspects of global travel.