International

Keeley, 18, on the trip to New York

"It has given me a more grown up attitude to education and appreciating people's time and commitment when they try to help. Being able to stay on at the Academy for sith form and the support from my teachers has improved my grades. If I achieve my goal of qualifying as a nurse it will give me the opportunity to work in other countries if I want to."

The core for Opening Eyes is international travel for our students.  These trips are neither tourist nor adventure trips.  Instead, they are designed to introduce our students to different cultures through exploring community projects, social enterprises, other overseas schools and universities, and key sites that have impacted on the culture or shaping of a given country.

Our first overseas trip was to New York in October 2009.  19 sixth form students visited a variety of sites over the course of a week, with partial funding from The Aldridge Foundation, Lloyd Trust and Darwen Rotary Club.

  • The students saw two schools: Harriet Tubman Charter School - a converted supermarket, and KIPP Academy in the Bronx - based on one floor of an office block.  Our students were very surprised by the environment of the schools, but commented on the determination and commitment shown by the students attending the two schools, and the value that they placed on education.
  • Homeless projects: At Yorkville Common Pantry the students joined other volunteers packing and distributing food parcels for families.  Our students had not previously understood the unique approach to welfare within the UK, and were shocked by the lack of a benefits system in the USA.
  • Social enterprise: Greystone Bakery operates open hiring, making brownies for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.  The Bakery reinvests some profits into the Yonkers community, and maintains high standards in the products made by their apprentices.

On the trip to Auschwitz in April 2010 - funded by the Foundation, a group of Darwen humanities students linked with King David's Jewish faith school, with whom they travelled and took part in the March of the Living.  The students visited the two concentration camps Auschwitz and Birkenau, and also met with a Holocaust survivor.  

Our trips are very in-depth but pack in a lot, and range from one day to seven days.  Feeding not only into the entrepreneurship curriculum, they can work towards developing understanding for a wide range of national curriculum subjects and qualifications.  In addition, through ensuring that students participate in the planning of trips and fundraising, the programme developes workplace skills such as communication, organisation, team-work and determination.  

For more information, contact Elizabeth Anderson.