Teacher Exchange

The school community has been making the most of a teacher exchange programme with The UCL Academy.

Situated by Swiss Cottage, The UCL Academy (UCLA) is one of our closest schools: a non-selective, co-ed secondary school established in 2012 by University College London (UCL) with over 1100 pupils. This term, we set up a new teacher exchange programme to enable teaching staff from both schools to observe lessons, teach in a different environment, and share ideas and best practice.

South Hampstead English Teacher, Mr Larochelle, commented: ‘My exchange teacher’s enthusiasm, positivity and support made the experience wholly enjoyable… We both developed a swift fondness for each others’ students and interest in their success. The collegiality and unity of the staff at UCLA impressed me greatly; they are clearly a team united in their determination to care for their students and guide them towards success.’ 

Ms Trevisi, from The UCL Academy, added: ‘Working in a completely new environment felt daunting at first, but Mr Larochelle was so welcoming, knowledgeable and warm. It was very enjoyable to teach different texts, and this really inspired me with some choices we could make in our department.’

South Hampstead Geography Teacher, Ms Sanders, shadowed a UCLA Engineering Teacher: ‘The programme helped me to recognise the common experiences of teenagers in London and appreciate the role that all teachers play in providing support to buoy their students. It has been a positive and inspiring experience.’ 

South Hampstead Classics Teacher, Ms Turnor, has been teaching Latin to Year 8 students at UCLA as part of the school’s enrichment programme this term; the students have since decided to continue studying the subject towards the WJEC Level 1 qualification in Year 10, so will have a qualification in Latin to add to their GCSEs.  Plans are also underway to expand our outreach programme to include debating at the academy next year.