The international dimension

For the first time the annual iNet conference will be combined with the National Conference – enabling national and international schools to share knowledge and experience at one inspirational event.

New to Birmingham? Find out more about the conference location

iNet study tour

Monday 24 November – Tuesday 25 November 2008

The iNet study tour takes in the diversity within the English education system, in a 2 day tour. The programme includes an academy, a single sex school and one of the most successful comprehensive schools in the country.

The visit will incorporate four visits in two days with the evenings available to explore Wolverhampton where we will be based. Wolverhampton is close to Birmingham and we will ensure that you get to the ICC in time for the start of the conference on Wednesday morning.

The iNet study tour has been designed for international delegates but may be booked by any delegate to the conference.

Schools visited:

Opened September 2006, the Hadley learning Community is a £70 million state-of-the-art learning environment that encompasses learning for all ages and abilities. It has capacity for 1100 secondary, 420 primary and 64 nursery pupils as well as the world class  ‘Bridge school’ which caters for 160 profoundly disabled (physically and mentally) children. 

The school opens from 7:00 am to 10:00pm each day, as well as weekends and holidays as part of its commitment to bring arts, sports and life long learning to the wider community. 

Visit the Hadley Learning Community website

Thomas Telford School
Founded in 1991 Thomas Telford School has been described by Ofsted as a ‘remarkable school’ and a beacon of excellence. Called the most successful comprehensive school ever, Thomas Telford is the first and only comprehensive school ever to where 100% of students achieved 5 A* - C passes at GCSE.  Selection tests ensure that all abilities are represented in equal proportion making its results even more amazing.

The school is unusual in that it generates most of its own funding through the sale of its online curriculum. Longer lessons, no bells to distract students, daily broadcasts into the classroom (instead of traditional morning assembly) are several of the schools unique practices.

Visit the Thomas Telford School website

Queen Mary’s High School for Girls
Queen Mary’s in Walsall is a selective school which has been educating girls for over 100 years.  Students are taken on merit, having passed the schools pre-selection examinations. Competition for places remains fierce as the schools is one of the top performing state schools in the country with students achieving 100% consistently five A* - C grades at GCSE.

The school specialises in languages, enjoying links with schools around the world to add an international dimension to student learning. Maths and computing is the second speciality of the school which is evident in the high quality of ICT provision throughout the school.

Visit the Queen Mary's High School for Girls website

About Wolverhampton
A snapshot of 21st century city life, Wolverhampton boasts a vibrant mix of shopping, art, theatre, sport and nightlife. By day, the city is a lively and attractive centre for shopping, culture and commerce. By night, it's a haven for 25,000 revellers with numerous clubs, pubs, theatres and concert venues.

At the heart of the motorway and rail networks, Wolverhampton is in easy reach from anywhere in the UK and an excellent base for exploring the Midlands. Just 17 miles from City of Culture finalists Birmingham, Wolverhampton is the gateway between the historic Black Country and the beautiful countryside of Shropshire and Staffordshire.’

From Wolverhampton City website

Further information
The tour costs £350 per person including accommodation on Monday and Tuesday nights, travel during the tour, breakfast and lunch on each day and travel to Birmingham for the start of the conference on 26 November. It does not include accommodation on Sunday 23 November or evening meals.
Book online

International partnership fair

In the spirit of ‘by schools, for schools’, the partnership fair is an opportunity to form partnerships with schools from different countries. While there are many opportunities for you to network, the partnership fair is dedicated time for schools interested in developing partnerships to meet.

You can choose to showcase your school or to visit the fair to meet the exhibiting schools. After the iNet conference in Beijing, participating schools formed partnerships that are now evolving into practical activities such as exchanges and joint curriculum projects, as well as international CPD opportunities for staff. 

We’ll provide you with more information about how to participate in September.

International school showcases

The school showcases at this year’s conference will be feature schools from as far afield as the UK and Australia, New Zealand and Chile, Mauritius and the Netherlands. Check back for more detail when session booking goes live in September.