A record number of 22 principals from leading British schools are to visit Abuja and Lagos to attend exhibitions as part of a UK Government education partnership delegation this weekend.
A delegation of more than 20 Principals and Senior leaders will be visiting Nigeria to meet with parents, students, government ministers and business leaders at a UK Boarding School Exhibition – to discuss the opportunities offered by a British boarding education.
The first exhibition takes place on Tuesday 17th May from 12 noon to 5 pm at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja. It is followed by an exhibition in Ikoyi, Lagos at The Wheatbaker Hotel on Thursday 19th May from 11am to 4pm.
The events are fully supported by the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) and British High Commission in Abuja and British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.
“As the UK Government’s International Education Champion, my role is to help foster, sustainable, bilateral partnerships in the crucial, and ever-changing world of education, and I’m excited, that Nigeria, our most gracious hosts for the visit in hand, are one of my 5 priority countries,” says Prof. Sir Steve Smith, UK Government International Education Champion, who will be visiting Nigeria for a wider education programme focussing on UK/Nigeria higher education partnerships.
“I’m keen for all of us, to seize this opportunity to dig deep, and understand how we can establish partnerships in Nigeria, that will allow for a more diverse, and equitable outreach,” he adds.
The boarding school exhibitions are organised by experienced educationalist Mark Brooks Education, a DIT Export Champion who has been advising West African families for 14 years, with support from Anderson Education.
“British boarding schools really benefit from welcoming Nigerian girls and boys into their communities. The students are hardworking, positive, demonstrate superb leadership skills, are talented at sports, creative and performing arts and are frequently appointed Prefects, Head Girl or Head Boy,” says Mark Brooks.
The 20 top boarding schools visiting Nigeria include a range of different types of establishments from all-girls’ to co-educational, those that focus mainly on academics to others which have an emphasis on character development, schools which adhere to the traditional British curriculum to others which follow a more internationally based approach.
“Choosing a school is one of the most important, emotional and financially significant decisions parents will make for their children. Time spent in early exploration, research and discussion with individual schools and specialist consultants is not only wise, it will ensure that their sons and daughters will achieve their full potential, in a happy, safe and secure environment,” said Sara Sparling, a Director at Anderson Education.
The full list of schools taking part in the delegation includes ACS International Schools, Ardingly College, Bedford School, Bromsgrove School, Cardiff Sixth Form College, City of London Freemen’s School, Culford School, Earlscliffe, Headington School, Moreton Hall, Mount Kelly, Rochester Independent College, Rossall School, St. Clare’s, Oxford, TASIS The American School in England, Westonbirt School, Wycliffe College.
“I’ve worked at Rochester Independent College for nearly 25 years and during that period I’ve enjoyed teaching and working with some brilliantly aspirational students and their families from Nigeria. I’m very excited about the opportunity to visit the country for the first time, to catch up with some of them and to meet prospective new students looking to continue their education in the UK”, concludes Alistair Brownlow, Principal of Rochester Independent College, one of the participants.
For more information and to register go to www.markbrookseducation.com/nigeria