Cambridge Conference on “Leadership”

BDS’ Academic Coordinator and Middle & Senior Headmaster, Steven Page, reports on his recent participation in the 2012 edition of the Cambridge Teachers’ Conference:

“As chairman of ESSARP (The English Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate) I took the opportunity to attend the recent Cambridge Teachers’ Conference that was hosted in Robinson College, Cambridge, between 17 and 19 September. This conference focused on leadership in schools and dealt specifically with: teachers as leaders, developing student leaders, the school as a leader in its community and the future of school leadership.

Plenary sessions were offered by academics from the University of Cambridge and London University and these were complemented by presentations given by Headmasters from Switzerland and Thailand. After each plenary there were workshop sessions in which groups of 20 had the opportunity to discuss what had just been experienced and to share their schools` particular realities that ranged in my group´s case from the following countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Netherlands, Germany, Bosnia, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Denmark and Pakistan. These sessions were enriching and gave much food for thought. I found quite astonishing that in India there is a new law that impels all private schools to open their doors to the local community, up to 25% of a school’s capacity. From Denmark I learnt that about 50% of all school leavers choose to attend a boarding school for the last two years of secondary education. How rich and diverse is education around the globe.

On many occasions countries expressed great interest in the Argentine bilingual model and wanted to know more about ESSARP’s organization. BDS benefits from membership to ESSARP in sending staff to professional development courses, students attend inter school events and competitions and great support is offered for the running of Cambridge examinations. The size and type of “teachers’ centre” is unique in Latin America and unheard of in many parts of the world. BDS was a founding member of ESSARP.

In total there were 7 Argentine delegates among 184 from around the world that came from 40 countries. It was a thought provoking and worthwhile experience and I hope to keep in touch with some faraway delegates”.