MUSIC teaching at Warrington’s Bruche Primary School has attracted the interest of trainee teachers at one of China’s most prestigious universities.
Teacher Angela Skelton was asked to run an online seminar about music education for a class of students at East China Normal University in Shanghai who are aspiring to become music teachers.
Bruche Primary executive headteacher Chris Jones said: “Professor Chen and his students were interested in hearing how we deliver music at Bruche and across Warrington Primary Academy Trust.”
The seminar was translated by Angela’s son Mike Skelton, a former Bruche pupil who has a degree in Chinese and now works as a freelance photographer and musician. It was Mike’s professional connections with composer and percussionist Beibei Wang which led to the opportunity; Beibei was asked by the university to suggest UK music teachers and approached Angela on Mike’s recommendation.
Angela is one of a number of music educators from around the world who have been involved in the seminars. The week previously the students linked up with a professor of music in the United States.
Chris Jones added: “This was a fantastic opportunity for Bruche and although the seminar was a technical and language challenge for Angela and the students the session went very well.”
The students and their professor agreed. One commented: “Thank you so much for your time! It was a very brilliant seminar and Professor Chen is sending big respect to you!”
It’s not the first time that Angela has worked with Chinese educators; she has also taught music in the country as part of the British Council’s now defunct Connecting Classrooms initiative.
Pictured: Bruche Primary’s online seminar with students from East China Normal University, Shanghai in full swing.
