A group of teachers from Glasgow will travel to Gujarat, India next week as part of a British Council initiative exploring education, culture and the role sport can play in learning, well-being and inclusion.
The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and strengthen international connections across the Commonwealth. The programme was inspired by this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and looks ahead to the Games taking place in Gujarat in 2030.
The teachers from Glasgow include: Ruth Cockburn from Highpark Primary School; Shaun Donnelly from Haghill Park Primary School; Nadine Fitchie from Cranhill Primary School; Carol Fawkes form Carmyle Primary School; Lewis Pollock from Pollokshields Primary School; James Prentice from St Patrick’s Primary School; alongside Samir Shah from Education Services Glasgow at Glasgow City Council.
They will take part in school visits, professional exchanges and meetings with senior government, education and sport stakeholders to explore topics such as sports education, inclusive education practices and the use of digital learning resources.
At the heart of the Programme is a commitment to reciprocal learning. Teachers and education leaders from both Glasgow and Gujarat will exchange ideas, experiences and approaches, including how the Commonwealth Games can be used as a catalyst for learning. This will ensure both communities benefit from new perspectives and innovative approaches to education, sport and global citizenship.
The trip forms part of a wider Glasgow 2026 legacy designed to help ‘pass the baton’ from Glasgow to Gujarat and ensure that the benefits of the Games extend far beyond sport.
This follows the British Council’s recent Commonwealth Games Classroom Resource Pack aimed at helping young people feel connected to the Games and its values, their communities and the wider Commonwealth through activities exploring connection, fairness and inclusion.
The enduring impact of this year’s Commonwealth Games will equip the Scottish teachers with a deeper understanding of education and culture in India, enabling them to build lasting professional relationships with their Indian counterparts. This will support future partnerships and collaboration opportunities within their own schools and across Scotland’s wider education sector.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said of the programme:
"The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is a unique opportunity for teachers from Glasgow to share learnings and ideas from the 2026 Commonwealth Games with teachers and educators across the state of Gujarat.
"Sport has the power to do much more than bring people together on the playing field. It can support learning, inclusion, wellbeing and leadership, helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly inter-connected world.
"At the heart of this programme is a commitment to mutual learning, and we hope the teachers in both Glasgow and Gujarat will gain fresh perspectives and share innovative approaches to benefit their own schools and communities.
“By bringing together schools, teachers and educators from across the Commonwealth, we can help create lasting connections that extend well beyond the classroom and contribute to the wider legacy of the Games.”
One of the participating teachers, Shaun Donnelly, said of the opportunity: “I'm a Principal Teacher, leading on literacy, phonics, and writing across my school and I was absolutely delighted to be chosen by the British Council for this experience. I work in a wonderfully diverse community in a historic part of Glasgow and my previous teaching experiences overseas have shaped how I think about curriculum and community. This is a brilliant opportunity to learn from practitioners in Gujarat ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and to bring that learning back to my pupils in Glasgow.”
Another teacher, Nadine Fitchie, was thrilled to learn of her selection: “I was absolutely delighted and incredibly honoured to be selected for the Commonwealth Games Teacher Mobility Programme. Working in a community experiencing high levels of poverty has strengthened my commitment to equity and ensuring every child has access to opportunities that broaden their aspirations. It is a unique opportunity to learn from colleagues in India, develop international partnerships and bring innovative ideas back to my school.”
The Glasgow-Gujarat Teacher Mobility Programme is part of the British Council’s wider work building connections, understanding and trust between the UK and countries worldwide through arts and culture, education and the English language.