The first Lithuanian language school in Berkshire County, England

Children in West Berkshire will now be able to learn in more than just English classrooms: at the beginning of October, Matilda Lithuanian School opened its doors in Newbury.

Inspired by my daughter

Although England is famous for Lithuanian language schools abundance, but this is the first in the area. "I was determined to drive my daughter two hours to the nearest one, but I found a way out," says founder Aistė Callaghan. Her little Isabella, who lives in a mixed family, was the inspiration for Matilda's idea. "I felt that she didn't want to speak Lithuanian and didn't try, especially as her dad is a British citizen and the home is dominated by English. When you come back to Lithuania, the language deficit is particularly acute. My daughter wants to communicate, she tries harder, but it doesn't work out, she is embarrassed and always upset. So a school named after her younger sister seemed like the best solution for Izabela's mother.

The school has only just begun its first steps, but already has 16 children from Swindon, Reading, Basingstoke, Newbury, Oxford and other surrounding towns. "One family takes their two little ones for up to an hour. It is incredibly inspiring to see such a willingness of parents to teach their children Lithuanian," says Callaghan.

Matilda's opening moments. Head of Falkland High School Kavashni Bamfield, Mayor of Newbury Nigel Foot, Lithuanian Ambassador to the UK Eitvydas Bajarūnas and the school's founder Aistė Callaghan with her daughter Izabella.

The one-and-a-half-hour classes every Saturday are divided into three classes: for children aged 3 to 4, 5 to 6 and 7 to 8. To make sure the little ones don't get tired of listening to the teachers alone, part of the time is devoted to games and socialising with each other. 

Matilda's founder is especially grateful to the head of Falkland High School, Kavashni Bamfield, who kindly agreed to house the little countrymen in one of the best local primary schools. "And it all started with a chat at the school gate when my daughter arrived. Now we have three cosy classrooms and we have access to comfortable and convenient facilities," says the Lithuanian.

A. Callaghan, President of the Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom and Customer Service Director at Pine Consulting, has been living in the UK for 21 years - she grew up in the UK, went to secondary school and completed her higher education. "My future has always been linked to both Lithuania and the UK. My childhood Lithuanian identity was very limited and I did not have the opportunity to attend extra Lithuanian classes or clubs. Over the years, I realised how important it is to know where you come from and how much your genes and nationality influence your personality. I am sure that the biggest challenge for a mixed family is to instil the right values in the children and to give them a wide range of opportunities by educating them in both languages", - says the founder of Matilda.

On the right track

"Matilda Lithuanian School opened with the idea - "mama - for mama". I am a mother like all of them, facing the challenges of living and raising children in the UK. I aim to help children and parents find the motivation to learn and speak Lithuanian. I also want to encourage children to develop an interest in Lithuania and their roots, to feel confident and to understand the great advantage of being multilingual and Lithuanian. I really hope that we will grow together with the children, with their parents, and create a Lithuanian community in Berkshire County, which does not exist yet. It's not just a school, it's a community," shares Aistė.

Matilda promises not to limit herself to Lithuanian lessons alone. Her plans are to set up a business school so that the little ones can learn the basics of business, understand what money is, how it is earned and how to start a business using their hobbies and talents. Starting in January, lessons in Russian, Polish and Ukrainian are also planned.

Matilda Lithuanian School is located in the premises of Falkland High School in Newbury.

"I have often asked myself what my goal is, what kind of career I want and now I feel on the right track. I feel that I am doing something that will grow and have a great impact on the well-being of not only Lithuanians but many children," says Callaghan.

This is not the first time that Aiste has had to take on this role: she taught English to graduates at Vilnius Gediminas Technikos University, not only as founder, but also as Matilda's teacher. Aiste is supported by her mother Edita, whose years of experience in educating children from mixed families are particularly useful for Matilda's students. Every summer in Lithuania, Edita deepens her knowledge of Lithuanian by attending a training course on educating children in the United Kingdom. 

Promoted by the government

Ambassador Eitvydas Bajarūnas, who attended the opening of Matilda's school, was particularly happy to see the enthusiastic parents, thanks to whom Lithuanian schools are being established. "Aistė's story is the story of many Lithuanian mothers who are solving problems. Where to teach their children Lithuanian is one of them. So these schools are growing only thanks to the great enthusiasm of Lithuanian moms and dads," said the Ambassador on the occasion of the opening of the school. 

The Ambassador also stressed that Lithuanian language schools are increasingly encouraged, supported and promoted by the Lithuanian Government. Since the beginning of this year, the Lithuanian Law on Education has treated schools abroad as Lithuanian schools. The Lithuanian government also provides Lithuanian schools with all the necessary materials for Lithuanian education for children of different age groups. The Lithuanian state also finances or otherwise encourages Lithuanian education activities abroad.

Almost all countries where Lithuanians live have Lithuanian language schools. Last year, 245 schools were registered in the Register of Educational and Scientific Institutions, enrolling about 11.7 thousand foreign Lithuanian children and employing about 1,200 teachers. The UK is a world leader in the number of Lithuanian language schools, and the number of schools is growing, with more than 60 currently operating.

List of Lithuanian schools and kindergartens in the UK, can be found here >>>>

You can find the nearest Lithuanian school in your country Register of Lithuanian educational institutions.

Opening moments of Matilda Lithuanian School 

Mother, grandmother, teacher at Matilda's school: Edita Alksnienė.

Aiste Callaghan.

Matilda's opening moments. Mayor of Newbury Nigel Foot, Lithuanian Ambassador to the UK Eitvydas Bajarūnas and the school's founder Aistė Callaghan with her daughter Izabela.