Parish primary school educators attended a dual-language training programme in Britain during the summer break.

Teachers from Purvis Primary School participated in the programme along with Enid Furbert-Jacobs, the school’s principal, and Luann Wainwright-Dill, the school transformation lead for parish primary schools in the Education Reform Unit.

The professional development trip, organised by the ERU, took place at the Bilingual Primary School in Brighton and Hove.

Purvis Primary is one of the first two schools undergoing the transformation into a parish primary school, along with Francis Patton Primary School and it is the first parish primary school in Bermuda to launch a dual-language programme for Year 1 students.

During the visit, Purvis Primary teachers engaged in three days of learning, collaborating on curriculum and teaching methods, and creating effective learning environments.

They also worked with staff at the Bilingual Primary School, who support students with diverse abilities, and interacted with the student council to gain insights into bilingual learning.

Ms Furbert-Jacobs said: “The most impactful experience was seeing how seamlessly language and culture were integrated into the curriculum.

“Witnessing this first-hand reinforced my belief that our approach to second language learning through content instruction is highly effective.”

Ms Wainwright-Dill added: "This immersive experience was incredibly valuable, giving our team renewed enthusiasm, practical knowledge for daily instruction and a clearer vision for teaching languages, and supporting learners with different needs and abilities."

The teachers have been sharing their insights during professional learning sessions this past week with the staff at Purvis Primary in preparation for the upcoming school year.

D’Vonne Ramsay, a Year 2 Spanish teacher, said: “I learned new methods for helping students learn a second language and become fluent in it.

“I strongly believe that we are headed in the right direction as a parish primary school.”

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, added: "The journey by Purvis Primary School's educators this summer reflects our commitment to education reform.

“These experiences will strengthen our dual language programme and help prepare our students to succeed in a multicultural, multilingual world.

“I am confident this professional development will positively impact the students at Purvis Primary."

As Purvis Primary continues to develop its programme, it will serve as a developing model for other parish primary schools.