Gosport school builds links with school in Morocco to prepare students for 21st century work

Samir Benmakhlouf, founder of London Academy based in Casablanca, paid a visit to Bay House to meet with Ian Potter, chief executive of the Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust.

Mr Benmakhlouf worked for Microsoft for 14 years, working closely with Bill Gates, and hopes to help Bay House students be more prepared for 21st century careers.

Speaking of Bay House, he said: ‘I am very honoured and happy to visit the schools that are being managed by such an esteemed organisation.

‘This past year Morocco and the UK have seen an agreement in education which has seen provisions and collaborations with schools in the UK and in Morocco.

‘Ian and I share the same vision for the transformation of education in the digital era. So far our education has been gearing students up for the 80s jobs but due to the digital transformation that is affecting I believe we should teach them differently.’

Mr Benmakhlouf was among many guests from across Africa who were at the UK-Africa Investment Summit on Monday, which was attended by Prince Harry and Boris Johnson.

He added: ‘Britain has lots to offer to countries in Africa in terms of skills and know-how and in improving our education system.

‘I am looking forward to learning and seeing what are the areas where we can learn from the British system and bring to a country that is predominantly French speaking.’

Mr Potter is hoping to promote the international profile of schools across Gosport.

He said: ‘Gosport has its international connections and reaches out across the globe. In terms of education, we are doing the same.

‘The next chapter in that journey is a relationship with Samir and his schools and growing schools in Morocco.

‘As we prepare young people for a life in the 21st century, that’s going to be quite different from the lives that we were prepared for, particularly with the advance of technology.’

The two schools are hoping to organise a football tournament together. There will also be teacher training events to enable teachers to share their knowledge.