International School International School PartnershipsPartnerships

Developing SustainabilityDeveloping Sustainability

From initial links to long term From initial links to long term impactimpact

The road map for schools?The road map for schools?

Practitioners’ ViewpointPractitioners’ Viewpoint

Trust needs to be built in from outsetTrust needs to be built in from outset Whole school approach essentialWhole school approach essential Importance of visitsImportance of visits Long term fundraising planLong term fundraising plan Partnership committee rather that individualPartnership committee rather that individual Relevance to school improvement plansRelevance to school improvement plans Integrated curriculum outcomesIntegrated curriculum outcomes

What works?What works?

Start smallStart small Planned visitsPlanned visits Professional development built inProfessional development built in Select relevant curricular developmentsSelect relevant curricular developments TeamworkTeamwork Pupil visits essentialPupil visits essential Integrated whole school approachIntegrated whole school approach

ChallengesChallenges

Language barriersLanguage barriers ICT availabilityICT availability Unequal commitmentUnequal commitment Expectations too highExpectations too high ‘‘Add ons’Add ons’ Too little planning timeToo little planning time

CfECfE

‘‘The title ‘experiences and outcomes’ The title ‘experiences and outcomes’ recognises the importance of the quality recognises the importance of the quality and nature of the learning experience in and nature of the learning experience in developing attributes and capabilities and developing attributes and capabilities and in achieving active engagement, in achieving active engagement, motivation and depth of learning. An motivation and depth of learning. An outcome represents what is to be outcome represents what is to be achieved’achieved’

International PartnershipsInternational PartnershipsExperiences and OutcomesExperiences and Outcomes

Dalmarnock Primary School, Glasgow City Dalmarnock Primary School, Glasgow City CouncilCouncil

A Case StudyA Case Study

Beginning the journey…Beginning the journey…

‘ ‘Our partnership with a small school on the Our partnership with a small school on the Greek island of Antiparos began with two Greek island of Antiparos began with two classes in what we hoped would be an e-classes in what we hoped would be an e-

twinning project’ twinning project’

Continuing on the RoadContinuing on the Road

Children’s skills in literacy grew as they wrote to their Children’s skills in literacy grew as they wrote to their friends, they presented to committees at Glasgow friends, they presented to committees at Glasgow City Council and LTS (now Education Scotland). City Council and LTS (now Education Scotland). They read and heard stories from ancient times . IT They read and heard stories from ancient times . IT work became more relevant as they made work became more relevant as they made powerpoint presentations to use at meetings, and the powerpoint presentations to use at meetings, and the DVDs that were sent to Greece . The project also DVDs that were sent to Greece . The project also covered aspects of Heath and Well Being as well as covered aspects of Heath and Well Being as well as Social Studies Social Studies

Developing the linkDeveloping the link

‘‘Keen for the work to continue after the Keen for the work to continue after the initial excitement the two teachers planned initial excitement the two teachers planned a topic together based on the street our a topic together based on the street our schools are in. The Greek children found schools are in. The Greek children found it difficult to comprehend 24 hour it difficult to comprehend 24 hour shopping, cinema complexes, shopping shopping, cinema complexes, shopping centres and just the general buzz of being centres and just the general buzz of being on one of Glasgow’s major roads’ on one of Glasgow’s major roads’

And there’s always more!And there’s always more!

Experiences and OutcomesExperiences and Outcomes

‘‘The Comenius project involved every child in our school The Comenius project involved every child in our school and covered all aspects of the curriculum. It met the and covered all aspects of the curriculum. It met the principles of Curriculum for Excellence and saw the principles of Curriculum for Excellence and saw the children working collaboratively within classes and children working collaboratively within classes and across all stages of the school. We worked with The across all stages of the school. We worked with The Royal Conservatoire to write and produce a musical Royal Conservatoire to write and produce a musical based on the book ‘The Rainbow Fish’ incorporating all based on the book ‘The Rainbow Fish’ incorporating all songs in all languages of our partner schools, Children songs in all languages of our partner schools, Children produced books, a website, a blog, a wiki. We made produced books, a website, a blog, a wiki. We made movies. We held an international art exhibition that was movies. We held an international art exhibition that was featured on Italian national television.’ featured on Italian national television.’

Sustaining the linkSustaining the link

‘‘At the end of the project we had to look at At the end of the project we had to look at ways we could continue to link in a ways we could continue to link in a meaningful way without the funding meaningful way without the funding offered by the British Council. Our offered by the British Council. Our children were quick to see ways to keep children were quick to see ways to keep the link going – the blog continues with the link going – the blog continues with many children going on to become friends many children going on to become friends over social networking sites and over social networking sites and continuing to build and develop ideas with continuing to build and develop ideas with each other.’ each other.’