Walter Hines Page Scholarships for Teachers

The W H Page scholarships are intended to promote the exchange of educational ideas between Britain and America. Scholars travel to the USA to study a specific aspect of American education which is relevant to their own professional interests. Recent scholars have research autism with respect to social education, undertaken a comparative study between UK and US approaches to teaching newly arrived EAL pupils, researched the background and ethnicity of a student with relation to the quality of work produced and an analysis of post-school provision for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Scholars are given the opportunity to travel widely in the USA visiting four centres during the course of a two week tour. Throughout their tour scholars are guests of American members of the ESU. Members provide very generous hospitality and also arrange a cultural programme which enables scholars to not only explore their field of study but also experience other aspects of American life.

Scholarships are provided by teaching unions in conjunction with the ESU. To find out if your union is sponsoring a W H Page scholarship this year please email education@esu.org 

All scholarships must be taken up during the American academic year, October to May. Page scholars must also submit a type written report within one month of their return to this country. Grants range from £1,000 to £1,500. Applicants should apply directly to their own union. The closing date is the end of November.

Walter Hines Page Scholars 2009

Four teachers have been awarded a Walter Hines Page Scholarship for 2009. Hayley James (ATL), Jillian McLachlan (ATL), Simon Ward (NASUWT) and Suzie McGuiggan (NASUWT) will all be travelling to the USA in the next year. They will be looking at topics as diverse as the differences between educational provision for deaf children, using the outdoors as a learning environment and as part of children's education, how the USA supports tracher trainees in learning how to communicate with parents and the use of Restorative Practice, particularly with young people and families.

An information booklet for applicants to the 2010 scholarship is  available for download below. The deadline for applications is 27th November 2009.

Walter Hines Page Scholars 2008

2008 Scholars with 2007 scholar, Sarah Gidlow

The ESU is pleased to announce that six teachers have been awarded Walter Hines Page scholarships for 2008. Hamara Arif (NASUWT), Ronald Fortuna (NUT), Michelle Gallacher (ALT), Ken Merry (ALT), Nighat Yasmin (NUT) and Andrea Yates (NASUWT) will travel to America in the new academic year to complete research, learn new skills and techniques in teaching and build professional contacts.

A wide range of areas of interest was evident from this year’s scholars, ranging from specialist techniques for teaching children with autism to integrating ethnic minorities in the mathematics classroom. All six scholars expressed their desire to share their findings and new skills with their colleagues, professional bodies and each other upon their return.