Learners from Early Years and Supporting Teaching & Learning Programmes Embark on a Two‑Week Turing Scheme Journey to Cape Town

Students from our Early Years and Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools programmes have embarked on an unforgettable two‑week Turing Scheme experience in Cape Town, South Africa. During their placements, they are working hands‑on in local educational settings, supporting children, sharing practice, and gaining invaluable professional skills.

Beyond the classroom, learners are taking part in a rich cultural exchange — exploring the vibrant sights of Cape Town, discovering South Africa’s diverse heritage, visiting historic Robben Island, enjoying a safari adventure, and immersing themselves in the local community.

Day 14 – Sunday 15 March 2026

Farewell to Cape Town

Today was an emotional one as we said goodbye to Cape Town and to the incredible people who made our experience so special. We bid farewell to Anna and Kevin, packed up our things, and spent our final hours soaking up the sunshine, enjoying one last smoothie and some delicious food. Soon after, our learners began the long journey home, taking with them unforgettable memories from an amazing trip.

Day 13 – Saturday 14 March 2026

Final Day in Cape Town: Learners Enjoy Sightseeing, Shopping, and a Farewell Meal

Today marked the learners’ final day in Cape Town. They spent the day exploring the city aboard the City Sightseeing bus, enjoying the views and landmarks along the route. During the journey, the group stopped at the beautiful Hout Bay seafront, where they had the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and snacks while taking in the scenic coastal surroundings.

The trip continued to the V&A Waterfront shopping centre, where the learners had time for some last‑minute shopping and the chance to pick up souvenirs from their visit. The day concluded with a pleasant farewell evening meal together, allowing the learners to reflect on the many memorable experiences shared during their stay.

One learner summed up the experience with this wonderfully positive comment: “Thank you guys, honestly, we couldn’t have come with a better group. It has been absolutely amazing, and I am over the moon to have experienced anything like this, so thank you so much. Love you all.”

The learners are now packing their bags and preparing for the long journey home tomorrow, bringing a wonderful and memorable Cape Town trip to a close.

Day 12 - Friday 13 March 2026

Final Day of Placement Filled With Warm Goodbyes and Memorable Moments

Today marked the learners’ final day in placement, and it was filled with both joy and emotion as they said their goodbyes. After spending meaningful time at their respective placements, many learners reflected on the connections they had made and the experiences they had gained. The day ended with heartfelt farewells, marking the close of a memorable chapter of the trip.

At Pikkieland, the atmosphere was especially fun as the children celebrated with a pyjama day. This provided the learners with a wholesome and wonderful way to wrap up their time there.

In the afternoon, some learners chose to visit Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town. The scenery was beautiful, and the water was surprisingly warm. However, the wind certainly made its presence known, blowing sand everywhere and adding a bit of adventure to the beach outing.

Later in the evening, some learners enjoyed a lovely dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant conveniently located next to the hotel. It was a great opportunity to relax, enjoy good food, and reflect on the experiences of the past weeks together.

Tomorrow will be our final full day before we begin our journey back home on Sunday.

Day 11 – Thursday 12 March 2026

Hands-On Nursery Work Followed by Market Adventures and GOLD Restaurant

Learners spent the day in the nursery, continuing to support the children with their learning activities and assisting with the daily routines. They engaged positively with both the children and staff, helping to create a supportive and nurturing environment.

In the afternoon, learners had some free time, during which they explored the local markets, practised their bargaining skills, and sampled a variety of local foods.

In the evening, the group visited the GOLD Restaurant, where they experienced 14 different African cuisines while immersing themselves in African culture. The evening included drumming, face painting, and live performances, providing learners with a vibrant cultural experience.

Day 10 - Wednesday 11 March 2026

From Kindergarten Classrooms to Robben Island

Learners spent another day at their kindergarten placements, where temperatures reached 40°C. The children tried to stay cool indoors, but the heat remained intense throughout the day. Despite the challenging conditions, the learners assisted wonderfully in the classrooms and supported the children in a range of activities, including completing jigsaws, counting with blocks, and taking part in morning group time. During group time, the children practised the days of the week, discussed the seasons, and worked on their counting skills.

In the afternoon and evening, the group travelled by ferry to Robben Island. The visit included a guided tour of the island, followed by a tour of the prison led by a former political prisoner. Hearing the personal experiences of someone who had been incarcerated there made the visit deeply poignant and powerful, bringing the island’s history to life in a meaningful way. For learners studying early years education, the experience also provided an important opportunity to reflect on themes of equality, justice, and diversity. It encouraged them to consider how these values can be embedded in their own practice, helping young children develop respect, understanding, and inclusion from an early age.

The day concluded with a delicious meal at the V&A Waterfront, where learners also had the chance to explore the beautiful shopping centre and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the area.

Day 9 - Tuesday 10 March 2026

A Day of Growth, Sunshine, and Stunning Views

Today the learners enjoyed another fantastic and rewarding day in placement. With temperatures reaching a very hot 35°C, the day included a mix of indoor and outdoor activities with the children. Learners supported the children with turn-taking on outdoor equipment, as well as cutting and sticking activities and helping with snack preparation. It was wonderful to see the learners becoming increasingly confident in their roles, and the children are clearly beginning to form strong bonds with them.

Maria and Laura visited the learners during their placements and joined in with the daily routines, giving them the opportunity to see first-hand the great work taking place. It was a really positive visit, with lots of smiles and engagement from everyone involved.

Later, the group experienced one of the highlights of the trip, taking the cable car up Table Mountain. Once at the top, learners spent time walking around, enjoying refreshments, and taking in the truly stunning landscapes. For some, this meant overcoming a fear of heights, but everyone embraced the experience and should feel very proud.

It has been a day full of learning, laughter, and memorable moments, and everyone feels incredibly lucky to be there sharing these experiences together.

Day 8 – Monday 9 March 2026

Supporting Learning and Skills Development in Kindergarten

After returning from the weekend safari break, learners resumed their kindergarten placements and spent the day supporting the children with their usual daily routines. The morning began with the routine prayer, followed by activities focused on learning numbers, shapes, colours, the days of the week, months of the year, and discussing the weather. Learners assisted the children throughout these sessions and participated in story time, singing, colouring, and playtime before lunch.

During the morning, learners also supported craft activities designed to help develop the children’s numeracy skills. In addition, they worked with the children on threading activities to help strengthen fine motor skills.

One learner shared feedback about supporting a particular child with SEND needs. The learner spent time helping the child hold a pencil correctly and encouraging him while colouring in pictures. They also practised identifying and repeating the colours of different crayons, with the child sharing that his favourite colour is blue. The child responded positively to the learner’s support and even gave them a high five as a sign of appreciation.

With the weather reaching above 30°C today, the learners planned to spend the afternoon finding shaded lunch spots and exploring the Company’s Gardens and surrounding areas.

Day 7 - Sunday 8 March 2026

An Unforgettable Safari Experience: Learners Embrace Wildlife, Confidence and New Perspectives

The group left the accommodation early in the morning, excited for the day ahead as they made their way to Botlierskop Nature Reserve for their game drive. The reserve was set in a truly stunning landscape, with wide open spaces, rolling hills and beautiful mountain views that immediately took their breath away.

As they set off on the drive, the terrain was quite bumpy and hilly, which only added to the adventure. The higher points along the route gave them incredible panoramic views across the mountains and the reserve, making the journey just as memorable as the wildlife sightings themselves.

During the drive, they were incredibly fortunate to see a wide range of animals, including buffalo, elephants, rhino, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, impalas, cheetahs and giraffes. They even managed to spot lions in the distance. Their guide shared fascinating information about the different species, their behaviours and the ecosystem of the reserve, which meant they learned so much throughout the experience.

For many learners, this was their very first safari experience, making it even more special. The group had also been able to pre‑order lunch earlier in the day, so when they returned from the game drive, their meals were ready and waiting for them, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy a well‑deserved break.

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience for the whole group. Many could not believe how lucky they were to see so many incredible animals in such a beautiful setting, and it will certainly be a highlight of the trip for everyone involved. Tutor Laura has started gathering mid‑way testimonies:

Paula Garrido
For my part, I have felt so fortunate to be able to participate in this project, as I have realised that teaching practices are very different in each country, including Chile. It has been a huge challenge for me not to intervene when I feel that a teacher’s practice is inappropriate, but I try to cooperate with what is asked of me and also interact with the students through songs, questions and supporting them in their needs and requirements.

On the other hand, the experience of sharing with such a diverse group of incredible women has made me feel fantastic. These have been days full of adventures, new knowledge and surprises in this wonderful country.
I am truly grateful for everything I have been able to enjoy so far and for the work that Laura, María and Anna have done for all of us.
I hope to be able to give back in some way for everything I have experienced so far.

Olivia Agnew
I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have been given the opportunity to come to South Africa. Being able to experience placements with children in nursery settings and learn in a completely different environment is something I never imagined I’d get to do. Every day has been a chance to learn, grow and see things from a new perspective.

There have been moments where I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and tried things I never thought I would. This includes different foods and experiences, such as caves and the upcoming trip to the cable cars. With me having a physical disability, usually I would stay far away from things that scare me like that. Those experiences have helped me build confidence and reminded me how important it is to embrace new opportunities, even when they feel a little scary at first.

Coming from a council estate, opportunities like this don’t always feel within reach, which makes this experience even more special to me. I’m just a girl who feels incredibly grateful and excited to have been given this chance. It’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’ll always appreciate the people and support that made it possible.

Day 6 - Saturday 7 March 2026

A Dreamlike Day: Elephants, Kayaking and Scenic Adventures

The group started the day at Buffelsdrift Game Reserve, where they had the incredible opportunity to interact with three rescued elephants. They fed them, stroked them, spent time in their presence and took many photographs. Learners were amazed and in awe, describing the experience as dreamlike and feeling very lucky to have had such a special opportunity.

Afterwards, they went kayaking on the Kaaimans River. Paddling in the sunshine was great fun, and they enjoyed seeing the beautiful waterfall along the way. They then had lunch before stopping at scenic viewpoints, including the Map of Africa.

Later, they visited the Knysna Waterfront, where they explored the area and did some shopping. In the evening, they travelled to Wilderness and checked in at the Fairy Knowe Hotel.

Tomorrow, they will go on a game drive at Botlierskop before heading back towards Cape Town. Many learners have said how thankful and grateful they feel today, and how lucky they are to have had such meaningful experiences.

Day 5 - Friday 6 March 2026

Exploring Ancient Caves and Landscapes

Our group set off on a six-hour journey to the Cango Caves, stopping along the way at local bakeries and vineyards for refreshments and photo opportunities. The drive offered beautiful landscapes and eye-opening scenery, showcasing the natural beauty of the Western Cape.

The Cango Caves, estimated to be over 20 million years old, are one of South Africa’s most famous natural landmarks. For learners studying early years education, exploring such a historic environment highlights how places of natural and cultural importance can inspire curiosity, storytelling, and learning in young children.

Afterwards, we checked in at the Turnberry Boutique Hotel and enjoyed a lovely evening meal at Nostalgie Restaurant. Learners are becoming more familiar with the South African rand while enjoying a delicious variety of local food. An early night followed, as the group prepares for an exciting morning feeding, walking, and interacting with rescued elephants before moving onto kayaking.

Day 4 - Thursday 5 March 2026

First Day on Placement in Cape Town

Today was a big day for the group as the learners had their first official day on placement, and they all really enjoyed it.

They are split into two groups across two different settings, both really close to where they are staying – no more than a 10-minute walk away (probably even less!), which makes getting there nice and easy.

The learners are already starting to notice similarities and differences in how things are done here compared to back home, particularly when it comes to educational and pastoral approaches. One thing that really stood out to them today is the different approach to behaviour management. Discipline is clearly a big focus here, with firm behaviour management strategies in place, which has sparked some really interesting reflections and conversations amongst the group.

Another thing everyone commented on is just how much energy the children seem to have! Safe to say the learners have been kept on their toes throughout the day.

While the learners are spending time in their settings, Laura, Maria and Anna used the time to plan the next few days over coffee at the iconic Truth Coffee Roasting.

With a three-day safari adventure starting tomorrow morning, there was plenty to organise before the weekend ahead. But managed a stop off for lunch at New York Bagels to refuel.

This evening, the group spent some time exploring the local area and experiencing the vibrant streets of Cape Town.

They were lucky enough to catch First Thursdays, a monthly cultural experience that began in Cape Town in 2012. It centres on a walkable programme of art galleries, retail stores, restaurants and bars, and the atmosphere across the city is buzzing.

It was a great way to end the day and experience more of the city’s culture.

Now everyone is poised and ready for the super-exciting weekend ahead, as they prepare to set off early tomorrow morning for their three-day safari adventure!

Day 3 - Wednesday 4 March 2026

Induction, Treats and Beach Time

Today the group visited Pikkieland Kindergarten for their induction session, where they learned about cultural differences in Cape Town, key safety guidelines, placement expectations, and their itinerary for the next two weeks. It was an insightful and informative start to their experience!

On the way back, they made a sweet stop at the famous Charly’s Bakery — the perfect treat to round off a great first day — before spending the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful Camps Bay beach.

Tomorrow, their placements begin!

Day 1 - Monday 2 March 2026

And so the journey begins!

This morning, our staff and learners boarded the coach to Manchester, where they will catch their flight to Cape Town, South Africa. The adventure starts here, and we can’t wait to share every step of the experience!

Arriving safely and smoothly in Istanbul, the team grabbed a photo opportunity waiting for connection to Cape Town.