THE CEO of a Teignbridge-based group of schools has visited war-torn Ukraine as part of a ground-breaking initiative to support education reforms. 

Matthew Shanks, of Education South West which includes schools in Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton, 

visited Ukraine to address an education conference opened by First Lady Olena Zelenska attended by 2,500 teachers from across the country.

Coombeshead Academy and Teign School are the first in England to be involved in the partnership of ‘international solidarity’ helping to advance secondary education for Ukrainian students and teachers. 

Mr Shanks visit to Lviv was part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s upper secondary education reforms to shift teaching and learning towards competency development and greater student choice. 

Currently, Ukrainian students are typically required to take 11 to 14 subjects throughout upper secondary education.

Around 30 ‘ambassador’ schools in Ukraine are set to pilot elements of the reform, aimed at 14 to 18 year olds, starting this September, in preparation for national implementation in 2027. 

The OECD is organising partnerships between these Ukrainian schools and international schools from countries including Croatia, England, Estonia, France, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden. 

The project aims to share practical experiences of student subject options and career guidance, offering direct insights, practical tools, and support.

Suzannah Wharf, Headteacher at Teign School, said: ‘We’re excited to share our practical tools and strategies for managing student choice and delivering a balanced curriculum. 

‘Our partnership also provides Ukrainian Ambassador schools with opportunities to engage with a diverse range of our school community, including our four Ukrainian students.’

Mr Shanks commented: ‘Ukraine’s education system has faced extraordinary challenges amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. 

‘This dire situation has tested the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian students, teachers, and administrators, revealing their remarkable capacity for innovation and perseverance.

‘Our trust’s collaborative efforts are not only supporting Ukraine’s education system through challenging times but also highlighting the importance of international cooperation in driving educational progress.

‘Through this partnership, students and educators across both regions gain valuable experiences and contribute to a more interconnected and supportive global education community.’