Exminster Pre-school take teaching to Africa!

Staff from Exminster Pre-school recently travelled over 7,000 miles to spend a week visiting Nayamba School in Zambia.

Leah Barnes, Exminster Pre-school Manager, and Michaela Petherick, Pre-school’s Play Leader, were part of a team of 10 local people who went on a self-funded visit to support and develop teaching and learning at Nayamba School, a Community primary school for children in rural Chisamba, Zambia.

Established because there was no primary school close enough or affordable, this free school now has over 290 children attending from the surrounding area. The pre-school was added at a later date, and Leah and Michaela had the opportunity to work with the three pre-school teachers, focusing in particular on teaching phonics and early years’ reading. They also worked with the teachers to model lessons which the teachers then put into practice, and demonstrated practical ways to broaden the curriculum by encouraging learning through creative play.

Exminster Pre-school Committee donated £100 towards the resources taken out, and the parents of Exminster pre-school were very supportive of the visit, donating books, games, and arts and crafts for the Nayamba pre-schoolers to enjoy.

Leah Barnes said: “It was an absolute privilege to visit Nayamba School. It was a truly inspiring experience and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the teachers at the school, sharing our knowledge and best practice while learning from them too. The looks on the children’s faces when they saw all the books, games and art equipment was something I will never forget – excited doesn’t even come close!

“I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Nayamba School who made us so welcome – it really was such an amazing and rewarding week. Our thanks also to everyone who donated valuable resources for us to take – they really will make a massive difference to the lives of the children at Nayamba School!”