24 Feb 2016
When a school introduces the Cambridge curriculum it can involve a shift in teaching approach. We spoke to Alliance World School in Noida, India, to find out how they supported – and continue to support – their teachers in delivering Cambridge programmes.
Since joining Cambridge in 2008, Alliance World School has invested significantly in professional development. Teachers take part in Cambridge subject-specific workshops and online courses, as well as in-house courses and mentoring schemes. The school also supports teachers with technology in the classroom, providing them with iPads and education apps to help them bring lessons to life and teach effectively.
Mrs Sandra Swarup, Principal Director of Alliance World School says teachers also benefit by being part of a community of Cambridge schools. “Cambridge workshops have become a platform for interaction between the teachers and their counterparts from other schools which is extremely useful" she says.
The professional development programme is delivering results, with students winning Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards and achieving distinctions in Cambridge ICE. So what has been one of the biggest challenges for teachers who are new to Cambridge? According to one teacher, it has been the shift in teaching mindset – “Understanding the versatility of the curriculum and equipping the students with the skills to know, understand and apply it to the real world is a tremendous task.”
But has it been rewarding? The answer is a definite yes from the teacher we spoke to – “It has been an exciting learning experience. It is very rewarding to facilitate the child’s ability to think and use their own brains to find solutions to problems and answers to questions”.
Alliance World School offers Cambridge Primary through to Cambridge International AS & A Level. To know more visit Alliance World School