Impington Village College is Turing the World… first stop: India and Italy

Students at Impington Village College and its sixth form, Impington International College, have completed trips to India and Italy, thanks to the £1million funding the College received from the Turing Scheme. A dozen more international excursions are planned over the summer term.

In March, more than 40 Year 7 and Year 12 students flew to India, touring Delhi and Jodphur and visiting Osian for a camel ride. As part of the trip, students visited a partner school in Jodhpur to help with a project for SKSN; a residential school for the physically challenged. Students attended school lessons and raised money for the much needed equipment at the school.

A parent of a Year 7 student said: “We would like to share our heartfelt thanks for the absolutely amazing, and likely lifechanging, trip to India that the College planned. It has provided our son with a better understanding of the world and a greater appreciation of the diverse societies that it contains. The trip has surpassed our expectations, and his eagerness to share all that he has learnt is a testament to the quality of the preparation, planning and execution of the visit. This trip has provided him with an experience that we are confident will impact his outlook for many years to come.” 

The second trip to Italy in early April was for Maths, Arts and Latin/Classics students in Years 9 and 10. Students spent three days learning with Italian students at a school in Rome. One further day was spent sightseeing in Rome, visiting the Colosseum, Villa Borghese and the Sistine Chapel, whilst the Latin/Classics students were offered a separate excursion to Pompeii.

The UK Government set up the Turing Scheme to provide schools with funding for students to experience life-changing opportunities abroad. For Impington, this will enhance the internationally-focused learning that takes place at the College through cultural exchange visits and a focus on foreign language learning.

Victoria Hearn, the College’s Principal, said: ”For some of our students, this was their first experience of travelling abroad and they were thrilled to have the opportunity to experience a new culture first-hand. At Impington, our students take the International Baccalaureate, and so, there is a great emphasis on international-mindedness. The opportunities that the Turing Scheme has offered our students to experience life outside of the UK is incredibly valuable to their learning, as well as helping to develop them into more well-rounded, respectful individuals.”

The next two trips are to Zaragoza, Spain on 23 – 30 April and Le Puy en Valley, France on 8 – 15 May. Check the College’s social media channels for updates.