1. Vidya –Setu Linking schools in Rajkot and Gateshead Veena Soni Head of Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service

2.  In 2010 through the connecting classrooms programme schools in Gateshead linked with schools in Gujarat.  Teachers from Rajkot visited our schools.  Teachers from Gateshead then went on to Gujarat on an exchange visit Background

4.  Our visits were very successful – due to the preparation meetings we held before the visit.  Post visit discussions  Discussion with our partners  Vidya- Setu-  Conference in Rajkot India  Discussion with head teachers Vidya - Setu

5.  Linked 40 schools in mainly Gateshead  However we would like to extend it to schools across the north east  In India it has extended to schools across India  Bede- applied for funding through connecting classrooms for an exchange visit  June – head teacher of their partner school visited them Vidya- Setu

6.  She visited Gateshead for 8 days  During the visit- she observed lessons.  She also taught lessons  Story-telling  Rangoli patterns  Cooking  Skype Exchange visit

7.  She was very interactive  Out in the yard, games lesson,  The children asked lots of questions  Power point of the school day in India  Lessons taught there  Food, transport, clothes etc. Exchange visit

16. Veena Soni Head of EMTAS Dryden Centre Evistones Road Gateshead NE9 5UR Tel No - 01914338692 Mob No – 07803276656 E-mail :- veenasoni@gateshead.gov.uk Contact