Leading heads of British educational institution to visit Accra

A delegation of nearly 20 heads, principals and senior leaders will be visiting Accra in May to meet with parents, students, government ministers and business leaders at a United Kingdom Boarding School Exhibition.

A statement issued by the British High Commission and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the visit followed the recent surge of interest in the benefits of a British boarding education among Ghanaian families.

It said the main exhibition would be at The Golden Tulip Hotel on Saturday May, 18th and Sunday may 19th.

It said the event would be organised by experienced educationalists Mark Brooks Education and Anderson Education, with the full support of the UK’s Department for International Trade and British High Commission in Accra.

“The United Kingdom and Ghana enjoy shared values, a thriving trading relationship and a belief in the transformation that an outstanding, all-round education with strong pastoral care can make to futures of our young people,” said Mark Brooks one of the organisers.

"Many successful academics, artists, commercial leaders, lawyers, medics, musicians, politicians, scientists and sports people from across Ghana owe their resilience, self-confidence and success to the firm foundations they developed at a British boarding school."

Sara Sparling, a Director at Anderson Education said: “Choosing a school is one of the most important, emotional and financially significant decisions parents will make for their children. Time spent in early exploration, research and discussion with individual schools and specialist consultants is not only wise, it will ensure that their sons and daughters will achieve their full potential, in a happy, safe and secure environment."

The statement said 15 leading boarding schools visiting Accra include a range of different types of establishment from girls’ only to co-educational, those that focus mainly on academics to others, which have an emphasis on character development schools, which adhere to the traditional British curriculum to others, which follow a more internationally based approach.

It said the full list of schools taking part in the delegation includes ACS Cobham, Ashford School, Bromsgrove, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Dean Close, Gordonstoun, Monkton, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, St David’s College, St Joseph’s College, St Swithun’s, St Lawrence College, Wellington School, Woldingham and Wrekin College.

“We have a long relationship with Ghana and in the past have even brought a student music tour here. However, this is my first visit and I am looking forward to re-establishing connections with such an exciting and rapidly emerging market,” said Chris Barton from Gordonstoun, one of the participants.

It noted that the free exhibition would be open from 1100 hours to 1600 hours on Saturday May 18th and Sunday May 19th at the Golden Tulip in Accra.