Flemish Education minister to visit London schools for inspiration
Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir will travel to London on Monday and Tuesday to visit some of Britain's most highly regarded schools. The region is looking for inspiration as it tries to tackle the declining performance of pupils in science and maths.
On her first official trip since taking office, Demir will visit the West London Free School, recently voted the best school in London by the conservative Sunday Times newspaper. Although it is not an elite school, it performs exceptionally well, with a significant number of disadvantaged pupils and a place in the top 1 per cent of achievers.
On Tuesday, Demir will visit Michaela Community School, which is run by Katharine Birbalsingh, often described by the British press as "England's toughest headmistress". The school is renowned for its disciplined approach. Despite her straightforward and sometimes controversial methods, Birbalsingh has consistently achieved outstanding results since setting up Michaela around 10 years ago.
Raising standards
Demir's visit to England comes after the international TIMSS report revealed that the level of maths and science among 10-year-olds in Flanders has dropped more than anywhere else.
The UK faced similar problems about a decade ago, but is now one of Europe's top performers in international tests thanks to a focus on knowledge transfer and clear guidelines. The two schools Demir will visit are examples of this new approach.
Under the guidance of education professor Daniel Muijs of Queen's University Belfast, Demir is promoting new minimum targets for primary education in Flanders and raising standards.
Muijs, who previously headed the research unit of the British Education Inspectorate, will accompany Demir in London. They will be joined on Monday by key figures from Flemish education umbrella organisations and the press, who will be briefed on the new curriculum.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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