THE new generation of teachers are learning new skills in an unfamiliar environment through an innovative scheme run by Bingley Grammar School.

The school's International Leadership Programme helps teachers develop their leadership and teaching skills by working in a new place. But rather than achieve this by sending them to a school in a different city the staff travel to Nairobi in Kenya once a year during school holidays.

Among the subjects they teach in their time are Shakespeare and athletics.

So far nine teachers and one support staff member have taken part in the visit, and they all say it has given them invaluable experience.

While there the teachers come face to face with unrivalled traffic congestion, searing heat and working with children who come from some of the poorest backgrounds, all making for an emotionally testing visit.

The schools' last trip was in February half term, and for the first time it involved a teacher from another school - Richard Atkins, a newly qualified Year 6 teacher from Crossflatts Primary School agreed to take part and work alongside Bingley Grammar staff in developing links with primary schools.

Other members of the team included Ros Gould and Matt Atkinson, the school's Royal Shakespeare Company schools representatives, introduced a Shakespeare theme to the students at Jamhuri High School.

Jamil Parapia, a UK and Athletics Kenya registered running coach and modern languages head at the school, took part in athletics coaching with the help of Mark Kiptoo (current Frankfurt Marathon Winner), John Ngugi (former Olympic 5000m gold medallist and 5 time world cross country champion) and Jackson Biwott and Amos Kimutai both up and coming young athletes.

The week long visit culminated in a spectacular performance of scenes from Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet in front of the whole school and guest pupils from Hospital Hill Primary School.

The visit also gave Bingley Grammar School the opportunity to donate pillowcase dresses to some of the local girls. The dresses, made from pillow cases, were designed and produced by Bingley Grammar School students who attended an after school textiles club.

The dresses were gift wrapped and presented with a card showing the students working at sewing machines and hand stitching on ribbons and details with a message from the students inside. Miss Ellis intends to carry on making the pillowcase dresses and is still appealing for donations of pillowcases new or used, plain or patterned.

Jen Barnes said of her experiences in Nairobi, “To say we were blown away by the hard work, determination and sheer joy the children radiated is an understatement." She also referred to the trip as “a life changing and eye opening experience.”

Mr Atkins, who worked mostly in Hospital Hill School, said: ""It really was life-changing. It changed my views on what is important to us in our society.

"I'd recommend exploring Kenya to anyone. It is very beautiful and the people are so friendly.

"We taught the children some English and also did some drama, and artwork with them. We did some David Hockney-style art, bringing a bit of Yorkshire to Kenya.

"The school I worked in was in a very beautiful, green setting, but it has 1,700 children and there are up to 60 pupils per class. As the Kenyan Government doesn't have the budget to pay for enough teachers, there aren't enough teachers for every class.

"But because education is so important to them some of the children take it upon themselves to teach the other pupils whenever a teacher isn't available.

"The pupils there were extremely well behaved and enthusiastic about learning."

He was able to bring back Kenyan items to illustrate his trip for his Crossflatts pupils, including Masai textiles, jewellery, bracelets and wooden carvings.

Staff at Bingley Grammar School are already planning for next year's trip.