TAVISTOCK College impressed American teachers with the independence and respect for diversity it instils in students during a visit to the school.

English teacher Allison Rogers and maths teacher Christine Drayton toured the college as part of a trip to the UK to help them understand the differences between the two countries' education systems.

Christine explained: 'We're doing masters degrees at Michigan State University because we want to be school administrators like a principal or assistant principal.

'As part of the course we wanted to be able to compare secondary schools and universities to those in America and maybe pursue teaching in Western Europe.'

Allison said making comparisons had been fascinating because Tavistock College and other English schools were doing things differently and more progressively.

The teachers observed lessons and examined the curriculum and textbooks used in the college.

'There are a lot of similarities in the subject matter," said Christine. "The biggest difference would be your students graduating at 16 and having the choice of going on to sixth form or work.'

Both teachers were impressed with citizenship and religious studies lessons which they said gave Tavistock College's students an understanding of other cultures and a respect for diversity and different beliefs.

'I feel the UK is so much better at setting its children up for success,' said Christine. 'Americans spoon-feed them and they can never do anything on their own. It's obviously a generalisation but you give them a path to independence.

'I spoke to a little boy who had a pen and he said after primary school you have to use one, whereas in America they use a pencil and can erase their errors.

'You are preparing them whereas we spoon-feed them and they're not ready for the world.'