I spent yesterday with another primary school who were hosting visitors from their partner school in China. This link came through a joint visit to China in February. We spent the day taking the 6 pupils and 6 staff to an open farm followed by a country walk and a barbecue. This got me thinking about the value of sharing experiences with neighbouring schools.
The China visit in February involved staff and pupils from 3 North West schools. Through that venture we have been able to build much stronger links with those schools. It has also meant that we can support each other when we are hosting. Possible projects can be discussed with people who know the demands of the UK curriculum, yet can offer a view from outside your own school setting.
Through a local cluster, I have been able to offer support for schools wanting to develop their global links. Over the coming year, my hope is that the Global Learning Programme can build this group of schools and develop a supportive cluster with global education at it's heart.
Sunday 13 July 2014
Tuesday 8 July 2014
The Global Learning Programme
A copy of the letter sent to schools regarding the Global Learning Programme:
FAO Headteacher, International Coordinator, Geography Coordinator
Dear colleague,
Moorside Primary School, Droylsden recently became the hub for global learning in Tameside and the surrounding area. I'd like to invite you to join us in an exciting new opportunity that supports the overarching educational aims of pupil engagement, staff development and whole school improvement. This ground-breaking new initiative, called the Global Learning Programme (GLP), is being delivered in Primary, Secondary and Special schools at across Key Stages, with a focus on 2 and 3, via local network-based support, resources, curriculum guidance and funded CPD*.
So why join our hub for global learning?
We can offer you the opportunity to be part of a national government funded programme that will give you access to:
- Free support and resources to enhance teaching within your school about global topics including:
o ready prepared projects and resources to take away
o curriculum plans focussing on global themes
o books to support classroom activities
- £500 worth of e-credits to fund professional development.
- Access to an 'innovation fund' worth £5000.
- Free bespoke CPD across 4 terms enabling your school and staff to develop effective teaching about global issues.
- Free support and guidance on being awarded the International Schools Award.
- Free support and guidance on making global links using platforms including eTwinning, Connecting Classrooms and Erasmus+.
- The opportunity for staff to become accredited Lead Practitioners of global learning as well as achieving the 'global schools badge' to be displayed on your website and letter head.
- Online tools providing practical ideas and strategies for enhancing global learning provision.
- Curriculum guidance to support global learning in key subject areas.
We are on a journey to support schools and help you access the full benefits of this government programme and are extremely excited to be able to invite you to join our hub.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this letter and I do hope that we have the opportunity of working together on this exciting new initiative in the next academic year. Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like further information or are eager to sign up for the endless opportunities and rewards of being a global learning partner.
Yours sincerely,
Angela Goodman angela.goodman@moorside.tameside.sch.uk
International Coordinator
Moorside Primary School
Monday 7 July 2014
Erasmus+
Exciting times! We have received news today of a new grant through the Erasmus+ programme. Hard work to fill out - if you are thinking about this avenue fill in the official paperwork as soon as possible. Funding should come through for us by October. We can then start to develop a teacher shadowing exchange programme with a partner in Spain.
Sunday 6 July 2014
Funding Accessed
I have successfully applied for the following funding through the British Council:
Reciprocal Visit grants for both Zambia and South Africa.
Connecting Classroom grant for South Africa.
Trilateral Connecting Classrooms grant with both South Africa + Ethiopia and South Africa + Namibia.
Comenius grant for a project entitled Playground Games - project coordinator. Involving Greece, Poland, Turkey and Spain.
Comenius Staff Training grant - two members of staff attended a language immersion course in Santander.
We are currently waiting to hear about an Erasmus+ grant for the coming academic year.
Our African links have been fully supported by Jayne Martin at Afritwin.
Reciprocal Visit grants for both Zambia and South Africa.
Connecting Classroom grant for South Africa.
Trilateral Connecting Classrooms grant with both South Africa + Ethiopia and South Africa + Namibia.
Comenius grant for a project entitled Playground Games - project coordinator. Involving Greece, Poland, Turkey and Spain.
Comenius Staff Training grant - two members of staff attended a language immersion course in Santander.
We are currently waiting to hear about an Erasmus+ grant for the coming academic year.
Our African links have been fully supported by Jayne Martin at Afritwin.
Moorside Links
Our most established link is with Pelican Park Primary School. We found our partners, based in Cape Town, through Afritwin. Four staff members on two separate trips have visited the school and were hosted warmly. A fantastic experience. We have welcomed three of Pelican Park's staff on two trips. One of these trips was funded through a Reciprocal Visit Grant from the British Council.
For a time last year we worked with a school in Ethiopia. Unfortunately this link did not work out. A Connecting Classrooms Grant from the British Council was used to try to build this but there were logistical problems. This year, with the help of Afritwin, we are developing a trilateral link with People's Primary in Windhoek, Namibia. With the help "on the ground" that Afritwin can provide, I know that this partnership will go further. We have already secured a Connecting Classrooms Grant to meet together later this year.
Our European links were forged through eTwinning and Comenius. We are half way through a funded project titled Playground Games. So far we have welcomed teachers from Greece, Poland, Turkey and Spain for a planning meeting. We have also taken children to Spain and Poland this academic year as part of the project. Further visits are planned to Turkey and Greece over the next academic year, as well as students from the partner schools visiting us in February.
We also have a strong link with Youfu School in Nanjing, China. For the last two years we have taken Year 5 children to visit the school, along with another Manchester school. Students from Nanjing have also visited us. Through the Chinese connection we welcomed a delegation of Mathematics teachers for a tour only last week.
Whilst in China initially we were able to forge links with Tyabb Railway Station Primary School in Melbourne. Our Head and Deputy have visited the school. Last week staff from Tyabb visited Moorside.
For a time last year we worked with a school in Ethiopia. Unfortunately this link did not work out. A Connecting Classrooms Grant from the British Council was used to try to build this but there were logistical problems. This year, with the help of Afritwin, we are developing a trilateral link with People's Primary in Windhoek, Namibia. With the help "on the ground" that Afritwin can provide, I know that this partnership will go further. We have already secured a Connecting Classrooms Grant to meet together later this year.
Our European links were forged through eTwinning and Comenius. We are half way through a funded project titled Playground Games. So far we have welcomed teachers from Greece, Poland, Turkey and Spain for a planning meeting. We have also taken children to Spain and Poland this academic year as part of the project. Further visits are planned to Turkey and Greece over the next academic year, as well as students from the partner schools visiting us in February.
We also have a strong link with Youfu School in Nanjing, China. For the last two years we have taken Year 5 children to visit the school, along with another Manchester school. Students from Nanjing have also visited us. Through the Chinese connection we welcomed a delegation of Mathematics teachers for a tour only last week.
Whilst in China initially we were able to forge links with Tyabb Railway Station Primary School in Melbourne. Our Head and Deputy have visited the school. Last week staff from Tyabb visited Moorside.
Why I love Global Education.
I wasn't well-travelled as a youngster: I first went abroad aged 20, but the world had always fascinated me. I had watched events unfold in South Africa in the early nineties and as soon as I was able I booked a trip out there. I was hooked. Seeing new things, tasting new food, but most of all meeting new people.
As soon as I qualified as a teacher I looked for posts abroad - specifically Africa. I secured a post at Chengelo School in Mkushi, Zambia and worked there during 1997 and 1998.
On my return I was keen to maintain the links I had. At a previous school I secured a Reciprocal Visit grant through the British Council to work with a school in Kitwe in Zambia. The link had an impact in my classroom but as work was not embedded into the whole school curriculum it didn't have the longevity I had hoped for.
My aim from that time has been to develop links which have a lasting impact on our setting. In my current school we are working on ensuring that all of our links are embedded and that all of our pupils benefit.
As soon as I qualified as a teacher I looked for posts abroad - specifically Africa. I secured a post at Chengelo School in Mkushi, Zambia and worked there during 1997 and 1998.
On my return I was keen to maintain the links I had. At a previous school I secured a Reciprocal Visit grant through the British Council to work with a school in Kitwe in Zambia. The link had an impact in my classroom but as work was not embedded into the whole school curriculum it didn't have the longevity I had hoped for.
My aim from that time has been to develop links which have a lasting impact on our setting. In my current school we are working on ensuring that all of our links are embedded and that all of our pupils benefit.
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