Celebrate Africa Day!

Why partner with African schools?

• Diversity within the African continent provides rich material for curriculum projects• Shared history - different perspectives • A focus on rights and responsibilities • Scope for exploring interdependence and ethical trade, tourism and growing economies• Access to rich cultural heritages – music, literature, dance, oral traditions• Contrasting effects of climate change

Find out more about some of the African countries in Connecting Classrooms.http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/programmes-and-funding/linking-programmes-worldwide/connecting-classrooms/spotlight

Have you thought about a three-way partnership?

Partnership between two African schools and a UK school offers a wealth of diversity and experience to develop curriculum projects and increase young people’s understanding about global citizenship.

“By adding another perspective from Sub-Saharan Africa we are able to further explore and to celebrate diversity, and widen and deepen perspectives about African cultures. It’s also allowed the teachers involved to exchange best educational practice,” enthuses Wendy Bisiker, assistant head teacher from Deptford Green School.

Find out more about the partnership between Deptford Green School in London, St Kizito School in Kampala and Rainbow College in Lagos.

http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/programmes-and-funding/linking-programmes-worldwide/connecting-classrooms/trilateral-partnerships%20

Developing your partnership

Funding is available from Connecting Classrooms for teacher visits between schools and curriculum resources to support your partnership.

Visiting your partner school is a learning experience in itself!

“I have seen and heard so much today that it is difficult to do little more than scratch the surface in this blog. An ongoing relationship with a Sudanese school would provide a UK or African school with a wealth of possibilities and rich teaching resources across all curriculum areas.”

Read Andrea Mason’s blog to find out about her visit to Sudan. http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/blog/73968

Find out more about Sudan

http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/linking-programmes-worldwide/connecting-classrooms/spotlight/sudan

It’s not just young people who benefit…

“Team teaching in each other’s schools increases the capacity to innovate, to see and do things differently. We plan lessons collaboratively and run shared training sessions on innovative teaching methods.” Wendy Bisiker, Deptford Green School

School partnerships offer powerful opportunities for teacher professional development in the UK and Africa.

The International Coordinator for the cluster of schools in Atbara, Sudan describes how Connecting Classrooms has contributed to the professional development of teachers.

Register with Connecting Classrooms workshops and online courses to develop your understanding of global citizenship and intercultural practice.

http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/programmes-and-funding/linking-programmes-worldwide/connecting-classrooms/PD

Resources for your partnership

• Toolkit: How to build sustainable partnerships

http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/files/Sustainability%20Toolkit.pdf

• British Council Schools Online projects and resources http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/projects-and-resources

• Global Dimension – Africa Day

http://globaldimension.org.uk/calendar/event/4727