Daily Blog – Leading Teachers International Study Visits Eger, Hungary Day 4 Thursday 28th May

Daily Blog – Leading Teachers International Study Visits Eger, Hungary
Day 4 Thursday 28th May
KEY POINTS SUMMARY – Some quotes
• “In nursery school children were playing with numbers and developing thinking skills” “It’s all fun and games…”
• “Early years of learning focus on social skills and cooperative learning – they do not try to pack knowledge in but ensure that the basic skills and concepts are secure and children grow to love learning because lessons are full of games, pictures, movement and teamwork – they cover much less than we do at first (e.g. only numbers up to 20 and no writing) – then, in later years, they surge ahead of us!”
• Head Teacher: “We do no reading and writing until age 6, then nearly all learn to read and write within the year…”
• “In England children have to face failure far too early – standardised expectations are simply wrong for brains that are changing in so many ways… in Hungary the early learning is a solid foundation that can be grasped by every child – so none feels inadequate”
• “Input from local universities and top scientists into Science Academy Club at Secondary Grammar”
• Primary schools are unhappy when their brightest are fast tracked into Secondary as they lose the opportunities for them to influence the youngest
• Wine tasting (8 different types), Crystal browsing in the Matrai Mountains and mini golf made up the rest of the day. Hungarian wine is under-rated in the UK!

Gyongyossolymos Primary School
From Chris
“From the moment I walked through the school doors, I knew this would be a good school – in fact, an excellent school. The headteacher was someone who oozed dedication and a love for his school and pupils was clear to see. We saw three excellent lessons. One particular teacher, who taught 7 year olds, was truly an inspiration. She loved her job and this inspired me so much. Hungarian children are so clever! But also have a love for learning.
In the lesson children jumped into the air, so excited about the mathematics they were learning. In the nursery school children were playing with numbers and developing thinking skills. Year 6 children solving GCSE style questions. What is this all about? An unbelievable experience, an experience I will never forget. Thank you, children of Hungary.”
Berze Nagy Janos Secondary Grammar School
From Lesley
“Highly selected pupils – watched 16/17 year olds in a maths lesson – it was like a university lecture – very didactic. A maths lesson with 15 year olds was more interactive using ICT. Liked the idea that each pupil prepares a presentation on some aspect of Maths. Each week a different pupil has to present her/his project to the class.
The chemistry lesson for 13 year olds was very old fashioned – all done by teacher demonstration with pupils recording their own notes. This was an accelerated learning class who had moved into secondary school four years early. Their behaviour was more challenging than anything we have seen all week – does this leap forward for bright pupils work? Teaching of older pupils appears to be less imaginative than the more exciting lessons in the lower age groups. (But the benefits of early-established listening skills, cooperation and enjoyment of school are still apparent)
Science not compulsory at secondary school – almost no practical work done by students in normal lessons, although an after school science club did exist for those more able. Science academy meets once per week – top scientists in school work together with gifted pupils from other schools – input from local universities.”