A school trip to Thailand that changed lives
The story of an inspirational trip Southern Thailand for teenagers at Derby High School.
The headteacher of Derby High School, Lynn Provoost talks about the trip: ‘We Are The Derby High’s International Changemakers! We’ve returned from a life-changing journey to Southern Thailand, where we partnered with local communities and stakeholders to enhance science education at the FED Unified Learning Centre – a school supporting Burmese migrant children near Khao Lak. We delivered hands-on, practical science lessons that brought learning to life. Not only did we spark curiosity in the students we taught, but we also deepened our own understanding of global citizenship, inequality, and the importance of education for all.
‘This project reflected the heart of the UN Sustainable Development Goals—turning our learning into real-world action. But our impact went far beyond the classroom. We worked with the Thai military on turtle conservation, cleaned beaches, and supported sustainable ecotourism at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Khao Sok National Park.
‘Meanwhile, back at home in Bury, we inspired our peers through live feeds, challenging entire year groups to think and act sustainably because change starts with us.
‘In Thailand, we connected with Burmese migrant children, many of whom didn’t speak English. We visited their homes, listened to their stories, and learned about their families’ work in rubber plantations and fishing. These conversations opened our eyes to injustice and helped us build lasting friendships rooted in empathy and respect. We also immersed ourselves in Thai culture visiting temples, trying local food, and connecting with our Thai peers.
‘This wasn’t just a trip. It is a movement. We are changemakers—and we’re just getting started.’
The Derby High School submitted its short film to the 2025 Better World Video Awards. You can find out more about the awards and how you could win a 7-night stay in Thailand or a £3,000 advertising package with Geographical magazine here.
