The Global Staff Exchange was introduced with our partner schools to share best practice and give staff a unique travel opportunity. The first outgoing staff exchange took place in July 2018 when Dr Andy Atherton, also an English teacher, travelled to Australia to spend two weeks at Melbourne Ladies College (MLC) as their ‘Expert of English in Residence’

Then in January 2019, Downe House welcomed Lauren Maserow, an English teacher from MLC, for a return exchange visit. Eager to share her expertise, Lauren taught a range of classes, which included introducing the Aboriginal poet, Jack Davis to a Remove class and delivering a thought-provoking workshop on Language and Identity to Lower Sixth English A Level students. She also accompanied girls on trips at the weekend, including an excursion to Bath to watch a performance of Peter Pan and trips to Basildon Park and Oxford. Lauren also spent a lot of time with Lower School girls in Hermitage Boarding House.

Lauren said, “It has been so interesting to observe and participate in lessons and I have been delighted to find that there are more similarities than differences in our approach to teaching and learning. I have particularly enjoyed engaging with the girls and really appreciate the opportunities that the teaching staff have given me to get involved in lessons. Everyone at Downe House has been so welcoming and I would like to thank everyone for making my visit so enjoyable and rewarding. I will be looking out for the Downe House girls who will be visiting MLC over the coming years!”