At The Two Counties Trust (TTCT), we actively seek opportunities that broaden professional learning and strengthen our mission to enhance the life choices of the 12,000+ students across our Trust. In this spirit, we are proud to share that Derek Hobbs, Executive Headteacher at TTCT, has taken part in the prestigious Building Educational Bridges programme for 2025 – 2026.
The programme was established following visits between government ministers from Singapore and the United Kingdom in 2008, and is jointly funded by the British Council, the Department for Education, and Singapore’s Ministry of Education. Its purpose is to bring together ten school and Trust leaders from each country, giving them the chance to examine a significant educational issue through both national and international lenses. This approach fosters honest professional reflection, encourages deeper understanding, and promotes the exchange of practice between two respected education systems.
Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula and has long been admired for its transformation within a single generation. Since gaining independence in 1965, it has developed one of the world’s most successful education systems, an achievement that continues to attract attention from educators around the globe. The opportunity to explore this system first-hand offered valuable insight into how culture, policy, and leadership shape the educational journey of young people.
Participants in the programme spent one week together in England in November 2025 and another in Singapore in February 2026. These were immersive periods of professional learning involving contributions from leading academics, senior educational figures, in-depth school visits, structured discussion groups, and reflective coaching partnerships. This year’s focus, ‘students’ sense of belonging and inclusion in school’, was chosen in light of the PISA 2022 findings, which revealed a decline in students’ sense of belonging across OECD countries, particularly among disadvantaged young people. This aligns closely with our ongoing mission to ensure all students, especially our priority students, feel a strong sense of belonging. We know this is vital for improving attendance, strengthening school culture, and ensuring they are equipped with the tools to make a positive contribution to the world.
As part of the programme, Derek met and listened to leading figures from England’s Department for Education (DFE), OFSTED and the Confederation of School Trust (CST) as well as Singapore’s Ministry of Education and National Institute of Education. Derek visited several schools in each country and particularly enjoyed working with his linked ‘buddy Headteacher’ and visiting his school in Singapore’s northern suburbs. This partnership encouraged open conversation that reflects our value of honesty, enabling both leaders to share successes and areas for growth in support of professional learning.
Reflecting on the experience, Derek explained, “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see different elements of both education systems and hope I’m able to take what I’ve learned and apply it in my work at TTCT for the benefit of staff and students.” His reflections underline our commitment to making sure every learning opportunity contributes to improving the lives of the students in our communities.
The insights gained through the Building Educational Bridges programme will form part of TTCT’s ongoing work to promote belonging, strengthen inclusivity, and elevate the quality of leadership across our schools.
