A sponsored supplement produced for the British Council on teaching the international dimension in schools. Published by TES on 13 November 2009

1. WORLD
CLASS
Broadening horizons with a
truly international education

2. Institutions that embrace the global
village give their pupils a head start
in an increasingly competitive world
Worldly
wisdom
for all
Globalisation is here to stay. Britain is no
longer a remote island, one step removed
from world events. No teacher or pupil has
been unaffected by recent world events such
as the bad mortgage lending in the US that
created a financial shockwave felt in every
household in the UK.
Today’s schoolchildren are growing up
in a global community, and must be prepared
for the opportunities and challenges this
offers. Education plays a fundamental role
in this preparation, but an international
educational experience should not be
reserved for the academically elite or
socially mobile. All of our children will feel
the impact of this global shrinkage, whether
it be through contact with pupils who have
To boldly go
come to the UK from abroad, or after their
school career when they compete for jobs
in a more complex marketplace.
As the 2012 London Olympics approaches,
the UK comes into focus for the world’s
where few
attention. This presents the perfect
opportunity for us to look outwards to
the world and for pupils to explore an
international dimension through all aspects
schools have
of the curriculum.
Size, location or subject should not
hinder an international dimension within
a curriculum, as the schools on the
been before
following pages can testify. Commitment,
imagination and curiosity are what is
needed to open the school doors and
embrace the world at large.
Travel is said to broaden the mind, and that deprivation is rife among the Bangladeshi
TES editor: Gerard Kelly was certainly true for 19-year-old Kawsar population, who are often very narrow in
Supplement editor: Fiona Salvage Zaman from London, who spent a life- seeking to learn about different cultures and
Produced by TSL Education Limited to a brief changing six weeks in India over the summer making the most of education,” he says.
agreed with the British Council and the DCSF. as a Prime Minister’s Global Fellow. “After returning [from India], I am even more
Paid for by the DCSF. Every year, the scheme sends 100 young determined to make a difference for students
All editorial content commissioned by TSL people to live and work in India, China or in the UK to work hard and dream big.”
Education Limited. Brazil. Kawsar, who achieved three A-grade Kawsar’s trip began in New Delhi with an
To give us your feedback or to suggest ideas, A-Levels from City and Islington College, had introduction to the language, politics and
contact fiona.salvage@tsleducation.com only ever traveled to Bangladesh before July. economy, and trips to historic landmarks.
For sponsorship or advertising opportunities, “I come from a community in Tower This was followed by a stay with a host family,
contact keith.dalton@tsleducation.com Hamlets in east London where economic where Kawsar researched the differences

3. Beyond borders
STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
‘Some people ask
whether it’s science
or cultural exchange.
It’s both, and they
work well together’
A
ll too often, the international
dimension in the curriculum is
confused with an emphasis on
modern languages. But there are plenty
of ways to incorporate it into non-
obvious subjects such as science and ICT.
Dr Eric Albone, director of the charity
Clifton Scientific Trust, has organised
science workshops since 2001 that bring
together over-16s from Japan and the UK to
live and work together (in either country).
Past projects include sleep patterns,
invertebrates, immunology and lasers.
“It gives meaning to what they’re doing,”
Dr Albone says. “They get to know each
other and share an understanding of each
other’s culture. Some people ask whether it
is science or a cultural exchange? It’s both,
and they work well together.”
Funded by the EC, eTwinning is a free
online collaboration tool for schools, run by
the British Council in the UK. Over 60,000
teachers have registered so far. Burnham
Market Primary School in Norfolk used the
site to run a project on Vikings with a
between English and Indian schooling, which from an international perspective. At Tollgate Swedish school.
he will use to lobby for change in Tower Primary in Plaistow, east London, 80 per cent www.rafi.ki is a similar site to
Hamlets (he’d like every school to have free of children are from minority backgrounds. eTwinning, though most of the 33 projects
newspapers, as they do in India). His last two But rather than using its diversity as an listed have been devised by charities, so
weeks were spent working at Shell. excuse for differences, the school has the resources are useful for raising pupils’
“I don’t think I see things the way I used embraced it through an international-based awareness of global issues. It’s free for
to,” he says. “Everything is now in the context curriculum “that reflects our diversity, so teachers but they have to pay for pupils.
of the UK in the wider world and our new kids are better motivated to learn”, head eLanguages is a free web platform,
competition – the likes of India and China.” Tom Canning explains. It’s an approach that funded by DCSF, for schools to
It’s not just secondary pupils that benefit has gained the school accreditation twice communicate globally and is available in
with the Department for Children, Schools 23 languages. For key stage specific work,
The fellowship of learning and Families International School Award. the east Asia strand of the British Council
Applications are now open for the 2010 In geography, pupils have looked at programme Connecting Classrooms links
Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship scheme. contrasting localities in Somalia and India, KS3 teachers and students with partners
The deadline for submissions is December two of the communities represented in the in eastern Asia to develop joint projects
18, 2009. school. In RE, they’ve focused on religious and explore curriculum similarities.
To be eligible for a place on the project, tolerance across faiths. The school also has Helen Trilling is international links co-
candidates need to be: close ties with Green Village School in ordinator for Leicestershire County Council.
Bangladesh and links with schools in France, She set up relationships between 12 local
l 18 or 19 years old on July 1, 2010 Germany, Sweden and Turkey. schools with partners in Thailand and
l Resident in England Mr Canning disputes the notion it is Malaysia. At Limehurst High School in
l In full-time education at a state- easier to offer an international dimension in a Loughborough, pupils have been using the
maintained school or college, in training or school where more than 40 languages are Connecting Classrooms IT platform to
apprenticeship, active in the youth sector in spoken than in an all-white rural school. “It’s connect with their partner schools in
England or currently on a gap year. really important we reflect modern Britain,” English, citizenship and science.
he says. “Attainment has gone through the “It’s a textbook example of how the
l For more details go to: roof, and the international dimension has projects make something you’re studying
www.global-fellowship.org been a real contributor to our success.” in the curriculum real and exciting.”
Victoria Furness

4. The internet has opened doors for schools all over the
world to collaborate on projects, exchange valuable skills
and information, and broaden their pupils’ horizons
Partner up for smart net
gains and webbed feats
Adding an international dimension doesn't link school is a real motivation. As part of the joint arts and sports projects, and caught an
just make learning more exciting. It can also Transatlantic School Innovation Alliance, a overnight train to Beijing’s National Stadium
broaden horizons, open minds and turn group of Year 10s have been collaborating with to study its disabled access.
young people into global citizens. a high school in Brooklyn, New York. They “Many of our pupils had never been abroad
For children who are getting to grips with regularly use email and video conferencing to before,” says Ms Briggs. “Yet suddenly they
a foreign language, overseas links give a real exchange work and deliver presentations. were travelling on planes and trains, visiting
sense of relevance and purpose. At Cronton “If something is going to be seen on another the homes of Chinese families and eating
CofE Primary School in Cheshire, lessons in continent, our students invest more time in with chopsticks. It was an unbelievable boost
a range of subjects are sometimes conducted it. It’s also made them appreciate the value to their confidence, and that’s had a positive
entirely in Spanish or German – then shared of standard English, because if they speak impact back at school.”
with partner schools in Seville and Berlin, as Bermondsey slang and the New Yorkers As well as helping pupils feel good about
part of an EU-funded Comenius project. speak Brooklyn slang, no one understands a themselves, the trip also changed the way
“In PE, for example, our pupils devised a word! They’ve become confident dealing with they see others. “Stubbin Wood isn’t very
warm-up exercise,” explains teacher Ian people from outside their circle.” multicultural and going to China gave pupils
Thomas. “They filmed it with instructions in Email, webcams and Skype have made it a new perspective. They understand how it
German and sent the DVD to our partner easy for schools to work together. But when feels to be in a minority and appreciate that
school for them to try out. When children pupils actually visit a partner school, the underneath people are pretty much the same.
know they’re doing something for an impact can be even greater. Carolyn Briggs, Those lessons will stay with them for life.”
audience it gives them a boost. They’ve of Stubbin Wood School in Derbyshire, took Steven Hastings
become more engaged and more interested children to visit their partner special school l www.britishcouncil.org/comenius
in what’s going on in other countries.” in Shanghai, thanks to DCSF funding for www.globalgateway.org/tsia
Beth Humphreys, of City of London China links, accessed through the British www.britishcouncil.org/school
Academy - Southwark, agrees working with a Council. During the trip they worked on partnerships-china
GETTY

5. Be inspired by a brainstorming
study visit overseas and
give your teaching new impetus
Exchange is in the air
CHRISTOPHER SCOTT/GETTY
Want to develop an international dimension
and find an international partner? DCSF
Global Gateway (www.globalgateway.org)
has all you need to know…
l School links can focus on one subject
or be curriculum-wide, whole-school or
year-specific, long-term or short-term. The
‘Getting Started’ section outlines the options.
l You should provide contact details,
information about your school, and a brief
précis of your ideal partner.
l Ask the team for suggestions, browse the
database yourself, or simply sit tight and
wait for schools to get in touch.
l As well as finding new partners, you can
look into funding opportunities and ideas
for projects.
l You can also apply for the DCSF
International School Award.
For more information, email
editor@globalgateway.org
A world of good
explore changes in three emerging economic
giants – Brazil, China and India – and how
they will affect the UK. Away from their
everyday lives, they will gain first-hand
ideas out there
experience of the challenges and
opportunities presented by these countries
and return full of inspiration, ready to
disseminate their learnings across the
secondary school system.
Steven Hastings
l www.globalgateway.org/tipd
The Australians do great things with gifted real-life situations. After that, he spent a week l www.britishcouncil.org/comenius-
pupils. Finland has a unique approach to at a school developing links and gathering in-service-training
literacy. South Africa excels at raising resources. “It’s changed the way I teach,” l www.ssatrust.org.uk
achievement in its inner cities. For teachers he says. “Now I’m able to conduct whole
wanting to develop new skills, studying lessons in German. It’s more enjoyable for The TIPD programme is funded by the
alternative practice overseas offers fresh everyone.” DCSF and delivered by the
ideas, a change of perspective and a chance to Sixty teachers from the Specialist Schools British Council, the Specialist Schools and
reflect. and Academies Trust leadership programmes Academies Trust, HTI/Merganser and the
The DCSF Teachers’ International are taking part in a new DCSF-funded scheme League for the Exchange of Commonwealth
Professional Development (TIPD) programme with the Global Teacher Project. They will Teachers/CfBT
organises study visits to more than 80
countries, including a recent visit to observe Going global
how Canadian schools promote thinking
S
skills. “It was brilliant,” says Michelle ince registering with Global Gateway on. The Georgians noticed we were founded
Brayford, of Brunswick House Primary in in April 2008, Gurney Pease Primary in 1874. The Ugandan school liked the fact
Kent. “It highlighted what we were doing well School in Darlington has established we were strong on dance and music.
but also gave me inspiration. There were five successful links around the world. “Earlier this year a colleague and I visited
strategies and games I’ve integrated into “We have a number of Polish children,” our partners in Uganda, thanks to a DFID
lessons, and I still share ideas with teachers says teacher Maureen Hobbs, “and that Global School Partnerships grant, and soon
in Toronto.” gave me the idea of linking there. I went to two Ugandan teachers are coming here. In
Overseas professional development gives a Global Gateway taster session, talked it the future, it might be possible to organise
your teaching new impetus and makes you over with the head, then registered online. an exchange involving pupils as well.”
more confident in the classroom. At Wilbury “We had a lot in common with one school, “I’m not surprised Gurney have
Primary School in north London, Robert and exchanged emails and photos. Other established so many successful links,” says
Tweddle found that he didn’t have a sufficient schools saw our profile and got in touch. Liz Hitchcock, editor of Global Gateway.
level of German. So he took advantage of a We now have links with France, Uganda, “They posted a great message, and log on
Comenius in-service training grant. Georgia and a second school in Poland. regularly, keeping them near the top. We’ve
It meant a week’s intensive training in “It’s worth spending time on your profile, helped by suggesting potential partners,
Berlin, with language lessons in the mornings, because you never know what people pick up assisting with visas and funding advice.”
followed by afternoons speaking German in

6. An exciting range of initiatives are helping
schools overcome barriers to improving multicultural
skills by linking with their counterparts abroad
Why hands across the water
Now we live in a global society, students Get international
need to improve their skills and cultural British Council Connecting Classrooms
understanding to equip them for the world of links clusters of UK schools with schools in
work and life. But bringing an international over 60 countries around the world.
dimension to lessons can seem daunting when Schools taking part are coordinated by a
faced with time constraints, funding concerns local authority or similar body.
and an already crowded curriculum. Partnerships last two to three years
Several initiatives have been established initially, there is no joining fee and
to help schools overcome these barriers so participating schools and coordinating
students and teachers can share knowledge bodies receive grants to support activities.
and gain a greater understanding of how
children in other countries live and learn. meeting inspection standards. They are living
By fostering an appreciation of languages, parallel lives where ultimately the goal is the
lifestyles and cultures, these schemes help to same: to get the best education for everyone.”
break down barriers within local communities. He says the partnership is also helping
Schools can have an impact on community schools “win the hearts and minds” of local
cohesion by exploring multicultural and parents who have links to Pakistan by
international issues in the classroom. The encouraging a greater understanding of their
British Council’s Connecting Classrooms culture and heritage.
programme helps schools foster intercultural Lincolnshire County Council is one of 39
understanding within their own communities local authorities taking part in the new
and between different societies. Through Comenius Regio scheme. Schools, education
these partnerships, the scheme aims to create authorities and local organisations such as
“a safer and more connected world for the universities, the police and youth groups are
future”, says Olga Stanojlovic, director teaming up with counterparts in Europe to
schools in education at the British Council. tackle social problems and raise standards.
Since 2006, a cluster of schools in Bradford Launched last year by the European
have been partnered with schools in Commission and managed by the British
Peshawar, Pakistan. The partnership focuses Council, the programme funds partnerships
on improving community cohesion, as well as between local authorities in the UK and other
developing leadership and raising standards. European nations so they can address
Three schools in Bradford and five in common issues such as bullying and
Peshawar, including one faith-based school, underachievement of immigrant pupils.
share information about life in the two Lincolnshire has a large number of
countries, dispelling stereotypes “such as all migrants from Eastern Europe and needs to
people in the UK have blonde hair and wear help children from these countries settle in to
suits”, says Rizwan Rehman, cohesion and schools in the area. In contrast, Poland has
inclusion lead cluster co-ordinator for been affected by the number of people leaving
Bradford Metropolitan District Council. the country and needs to support those
“Teachers from Bradford who saw the children who return after spending time in
challenging conditions in Pakistan were the UK education system.
moved to tears,” says Mr Rehman. “Teachers This August, Lincolnshire council formed a
who visited the UK saw the effort involved in partnership under the Regio scheme with its hopes it will “give us a better understanding
counterpart in Lincoln’s twin city of of issues facing people as they migrate and
Take your partner by the hand Radomsko, Poland, collaborating on migration how communities adapt to those challenges”.
Schools can get their international work and education issues. The partnership Arabic is a recent addition to the language
recognised through the framework provided comprises three schools in Lincolnshire, the assistant programme. This year St Peter’s
by the DCSF International School Award. council, voluntary youth services and family Church of England Aided School in Exeter
They must send a portfolio compiled across support organisation Home-Start, along with was one of the first in the UK to have an
the academic year that highlights their seven schools in Radomsko, the city’s Arabic British Council foreign language
commitment to encouraging students to governing body and similar support groups. assistant. These assistants can bring a fresh
become global citizens and show evidence During reciprocal visits the partnership will cultural perspective to language learning, as
they are doing collaborative work with a discuss issues, then pool findings through web well as providing access to authentic
partner school overseas. Schools receive links and personnel exchanges. Towards the teaching materials and improving student
accreditation for three years, become end of the two years there will be conferences confidence in communication.
ambassadors of the scheme and help in each authority to publicise the project, Exploring languages can help schools work
support others in their international work. display findings and highlight good practice. more closely with their local communities.
www.globalgateway.org/isa Chris Williams, special projects consultant This initiative, funded by the Department for
at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, says he Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), allows

7. reap benefits at home
RUSSEL SACHS
foreign language assistants from 20 countries French and German”. So in 2008, when the them to find accommodation and making sure
worldwide to work in English schools, offering British Council asked if the school would like they don’t feel homesick”, Ms Sykes says.
French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, to employ the first Arabic-speaking assistant Schools that contact the British Council to
Chinese, Urdu, Arabic, Irish and Japanese. for a year, it was keen to take up the offer. take part in the scheme will find the benefits
The scheme also enables English language With funding from the British Council and are “immeasurable”, Ms Sykes says. “Having
assistants to teach overseas, with 2,100 Exeter University, Aisha Al Badawi from an Arabic language assistant at the school
people visiting countries all over the world in Oman was appointed as a language assistant,
the last academic year alone. helping to run Year 7 introductory classes in Other useful organisations
As a specialist language college, St Peter’s Arabic and a 10-week module focusing on an l SSAT www.ssatrust.org.uk
had previously benefited from having understanding of the Arabic-speaking world l UK-German Connection
assistants from France, Germany and Spain. as part of Year 10’s citizenship lessons. www.ukgermanconnection.org
But Alison Sykes, its assistant head, says it Students produced a brochure to help Islamic l Development Education Association
was “crucial” to introduce Arabic to the families settle in the area, and the school ran www.dea.org.uk
curriculum, not only because Exeter has an Arabic classes for residents, which has l Plan International www.plan-
Islamic community, but also working in a strengthened links with the local community. international.org
global village means “people need to be Staff need to be prepared to support a l LECT www.lect.org.uk
trained in languages other than the usual language assistant by, for example, “helping

8. ‘It has exposed children Resources
to wider communities
and cultures’
has been a life-changing experience. It gives months to find an overseas school to link l DCSF Global Gateway – the one-stop
students an insight into other people’s culture with. A letter to Gambia’s Tanjeh Lower Basic shop for the international dimension
and is a great motivating influence. It also School led to teacher visits and joint work, www.globalgateway.org
helps break down prejudices.” funded by the DFID Global School l Collaboration through ICT
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Partnerships scheme, managed by a www.britishcouncil.org/etwinning
the DCSF International School Award (ISA), consortium including the British Council. www.elanguages.org
an accreditation scheme run for DCSF by the The school has no electricity, which makes www.rafi.ki
British Council that celebrates excellence in communication difficult but possible, with l Funding for collaborative curriculum
embedding an international dimension in the children sharing pen pal letters and school projects
school curriculum. The scheme helps schools newspapers, staff sharing teaching methods, www.britishcouncil.org/comenius
support the idea of young global citizens and and the three schools working together on www.britishcouncil.org/
also aims to encourage community cohesion. such projects as “how we use waste”. connectingclassrooms
“The award is a fantastic way of celebrating, “The partnership has enriched the www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools
recognising and embedding the international curriculum, exposing children to wider www.britishcouncil.org/schoolpartnerships
dimensions of teaching and learning across communities and cultures,” says Ms Phillips. l Language assistants
schools,” says John Rolfe, ISA manager. Receiving ISA accreditation has spurred www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants
All schools are eligible for the award, Stogumber and Crowcombe to do even more. l Accreditation
whether multicultural or monocultural, They have created a DVD to show the life of a www.globalgateway.org/isa
urban or rural, primary or secondary. Size is family in Tanjeh, the sales of which will help l Community cohesion
no obstacle, as Stogumber and Crowcombe fund future projects, and hope to form a www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/
primary schools in Somerset have proved. charity to support their work. communitycohesion
Stogumber has just 24 pupils and is federated Ms Phillips believes it is possible to forge l BBC World Class
to Crowcombe, which has 49. But their work links with other countries, whatever a www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass
during the past four years on joint projects school’s size. “Don’t be put off if you’re a l London 2012
with a school in the Gambia earned them ISA small school – that doesn’t matter. Making http://getset.london2012.com
accreditation in 2008. these partnerships work is about effort,
It took Penny Phillips, a part-time primary passion and a shared commitment.”
teacher and multicultural coordinator, six Kathy Oxtoby