Aurora teachers explore bilingual education through international Ohio exchange

Teachers from Aurora Academies Trust strengthened their international partnerships and gained first-hand insight into bilingual education during an exchange visit to schools in Columbus, Ohio in the United States.

The annual exchange programme, delivered in partnership with ACCEL Schools through Aurora’s connection with the global Pansophic Learning network, supports teachers’ professional development while building long-term cultural links between schools in the UK and the U.S.

This year’s visit placed a particular focus on bilingual education, with Aurora staff spending time at Columbus Bilingual Academy North (CBAN) where nine in ten pupils are of Hispanic heritage and English and Spanish are woven throughout the school day to create an immersive learning environment that celebrates language, culture and identity.

Teachers observed lessons, talked with students to gain insight into their experiences and aspirations for the future, and explored how bilingual “code-switching” approaches and technology are used to support learning and engagement across the curriculum.

The visit also gave staff the opportunity to reflect on how new ideas and approaches could further enhance the already innovative work taking place across the Trust. This includes The Gatwick School’s (TGS) Modern Foreign Languages department where technology is embedded throughout teaching and learning and staff are continuing to explore the use of AI tools within the classroom.

Alongside visits to CBAN, teachers spent time at Cornerstone Academy where they exchanged ideas with American colleagues on curriculum, school culture, assessment and student engagement.

The programme forms part of a longstanding partnership between Aurora Academies Trust and ACCEL Schools, with each annual exchange focusing on different areas of educational practice and professional development.

Through the wider Pansophic Learning network, the partnership gives staff and pupils valuable opportunities to broaden cultural understanding, strengthen teaching practice and engage with international perspectives and languages.

Aurora looks forward to welcoming colleagues from ACCEL Schools to the UK later this year as the partnership continues to grow on both sides of the Atlantic.

Staff from TGS will now use insights from the visit to further enhance language learning opportunities for pupils, helping students to build confidence, cultural awareness and a broader understanding of the world beyond the classroom.

David Walker-Smith, Assistant Headteacher at The Gatwick School and Head of Modern Foreign Languages, said: “The visit to Columbus Bilingual Academy North was a real highlight of our exchange, particularly seeing bilingual education in action and learning how language, culture and technology can be brought together to create such an engaging experience for pupils.

“While TGS is not a bilingual school, we are proudly international in our outlook and deeply committed to high-quality language learning. Experiences like this allow us to reflect on our own practice, strengthen our international partnerships and ultimately enhance the opportunities we provide to our students.”

James Freeston, Chief Executive at Aurora Academies Trust, said: “Seeing bilingual education in practice at CBAN was a fantastic experience for our staff and provided valuable insight into how language learning can be embedded so naturally within school life.

“Through our partnership with ACCEL Schools and the wider Pansophic Learning network, we are able to continue sharing ideas, strengthening cultural understanding and creating exciting opportunities for both staff and pupils alike.”