Central Walker CoE Primary School pupils experienced a memorable trip to Spain earlier this year. Headteacher, Dawn Day and teacher Michaela Barrass led the visit, having secured funding from the UK Government’s Turing Scheme in 2024, with support from International Newcastle’s CEO, Declan Baharini and Sarah Edgar from Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness), who also helped the school establish links with a new partner, C.P.I. Arcosur in Zaragoza. The staff undertook a pre-visit and risk assessment in Autumn 2024 and worked with their Spanish partner school to plan the visit in Spring 2025.
Based in one of the most deprived areas nationally, the trip was life changing for the Year 6 pupils, who would otherwise not have this opportunity. Pupils shared their experiences at an Assembly in June, which was attended by parents, governors and International Newcastle’s CEO. Their enthusiasm and the impact of the visit, their experiences and the friendships they made was clear.
Michaela Barrass also gave a presentation to Newcastle’s Primary network for language teachers in June, to share the school’s experience and encourage others to establish international links. The slides from her presentation are provided here and provide insight into the purpose, planning, activities and impact of the visit.
Central Walker have been successful in applying for Turing Scheme funding again and are planning two visits in 2026 for their pupils to Spain and Houston, USA.
The school has embraced embedding internationalism across the school and is progressing through the British Council’s International School Award framework.
They are creating life changing opportunities for their pupils, who spread their enthusiasm to their peers in the school and generate excitement about connecting to the world and building friendships and understanding.
