Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon has officially reaffirmed its international learning partnership with Glory English Secondary School in Bhaktapur, Nepal, renewing a collaboration that first began almost seven years ago.
The partnership, which started in 2019, was created to enrich pupils’ learning through cultural exchange and professional collaboration between the two schools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when education systems around the world were disrupted, Lawn Manor Academy shared its experience of effective distance learning. This support helped Glory School adapt to remote education for its pupils during a particularly challenging period.
Following the pandemic, the partnership has now been formally re-established, marked by the presentation of a traditional Nepalese ceremonial mask to the Swindon school.
The mask was created by skilled local artisans in the Bhaktapur area, which is widely known across Nepal for its intricate and expressive ceremonial masks. It symbolises friendship, respect and the shared commitment of both schools to learning from one another.
The partnership has been facilitated by Dr Christine Tipper and Brigid Harkness, two local teachers who have been building links between Swindon and Nepal since 2012.
Christine explained, “The creative association between Lawn Manor and Glory School was formed when the Headteacher of Glory School, Shankar Karn Kayasta, visited Swindon and the synergy between the two schools was clear.”
She added, “Unfortunately, the pandemic put a stop to continued activity but when I visited Glory School at the end of 2025, they were keen to start again, sending the mask to the Lawn Manor Academy community as a token of love and a sign of friendship.”
Staff and pupils at Lawn Manor Academy are now looking forward to developing the partnership further, with plans to share best practice and build direct links between pupils in both schools.
Marek Koza, Assistant Headteacher at Lawn Manor Academy, said, “The pandemic brought our collaboration with Glory School to an abrupt stop but we are hoping to now pick up where we left off.”
He added, “We are planning to develop connections between our pupils and those at Glory School through writing letters, emails and online sessions. These will focus on sharing experiences in each of the schools and discussions around culture, which is an important aspect of our school.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust.
