RSG 't Rijks (NL)

The London Nautical School has established an exchange with RSG 't Rijks school in Bergan op Zoom in the south of the Netherlands. Bergan Op Zoom is close to the sea and has good connections with the maritime industry, and the flood protection which is crucial to the country. It is also situated about 50 Kilometers from Rotterdam the worlds biggest port.

The school is a mixed school with over a thousand students. The school runs a programme of bilingual education {TTO} for some of its students. This means that a number of subjects are taught in English, not only English, but in subjects such as Maths, Biology, Physical Education, and others. The aim is that through this manner of teaching English will become a natural second language. In addition the school runs a very successful Gifted and Talented programme through its Physical Education curriculum.

LNS has already a very good relationship with the Netherlands as every year for the past 10 years the school has undertaken a soccer tour, and has established good links with Dutch clubs.

In November 2005 three teachers from RSG visited LNS to observe lessons and meet some of the students, and in March 2006 Mr McGregor and Mr Bullar returned to the Netherlands to visit RSG school.

The objectives are to:

Pupil exchange-Students from RSG will visit LNS in June 2006, and students from LNS will return to the Netherlands in October 2006.
To contribute to the personal and social development of both sets of students.
Raising the European dimension and citizenship for both sets of students and staff.
Staff development.
Sharing expertise and good practice.
Raising the levels of student achievement.
Joint curriculum projects {e-mail links with students}
Physical Education and Nautical activities.
Development of training resources, and teaching methodologies.
To ensure that the exchange is successful and sustainable.
To foster good relationships and understanding between the UK and the Netherlands.