A German educationalist spent a fortnight observing how Forth Valley College operates recently as part of a programme called ‘Host a Teacher’.
Ralph Laspe a Counsellor, PE and English teacher from BSZ Agrarwirtschaft und Ernahrung – a college based in Dresden – shadowed a number of staff and classes at the Falkirk Campus from Monday 4 to Friday 15 March, and even met the First Minister when she visited the college on the first day of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
His experience also served as a fact finding mission to help him prepare for a visit of 40 of his students who will be making the trip to Scotland in September.
Ralph, who was also given a tour of the new campus under construction in Falkirk, said: “I have really enjoyed my visit to Forth Valley College and Scotland. Everyone has been very helpful and open minded. The further education system in Scotland is totally different than in Germany. The Scottish system is much more flexible, as you react to the needs of your students much quicker.
“While I was here I was also scoping out places to take my students in September and I visited Stirling Castle and enjoyed a tremendous walk in the Ochil Hills, one of the best I have ever had. I also met Nicola Sturgeon your First Minister on the first day of my visit, so it has been an eventful, interesting and worthwhile trip!”
Chris Horne, FVC’s Curriculum Manager in Care, Sport and Construction, said: “It was great to have Ralph here to show him how we do things here at Forth Valley College. There is also scope that we could set up a skype style sports and fitness based collaborative project in real time. We look forward to working with Ralph again soon.”