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Tidetalk~ journal
| Global learning and school partnerships ~ thinking it through |
Tide~ global learning |
An important tool of many schools’ work around global learning is the development of school partnerships. Working out the aims and objectives of the partnership; recognising, understanding and talking through expectations; keeping curriculum and the needs of learners at the core; all this is complex and requires time, perseverance and commitment. But when thought through, it can enrich the school curriculum and deepen young people’s thinking about and understanding of ideas such as commonality and global citizenship.
It is important to recognise that this can also happen when the partnership is with another school in the UK. These partnerships can greatly benefit learners and schools in terms of building understanding between and within communities. Whilst all partnerships are complex, some of the difficulties that teachers face when working with schools in another continent, such as communication and different curricula, can largely be avoided when working with another school closer to home.
This article is not a guide on how to set up a partnership. The publications, websites, articles and organisations listed here have been selected to help you think through what you want from a partnership as well as how to go about setting one up. However, the following points are offered as a stimulus for discussion with colleagues, both within your school and your partner school.
What would you add?
There are 6 sections of resources. Click on the headings below to see the recommended resources for that section.
1. Thinking it through ~ articles to stimulate discussion
These articles will support staff discussion in both partner schools.2. Curriculum documents
School partnerships can contribute to these key initiatives.3. Setting up a UK partnership
Sources of information for establishing a UK partnership. There is less information about this than overseas partnerships. If you come across other websites, articles or publications then please let us know. wmc@tidec.org.4. Promoting community cohesion
A partnership between schools based in the UK, can contribute to the school's duty to promote community cohesion. This section gives recommended background reading on diversity and identity issues, useful websites, journals and recommended teaching resources.5. Setting up an international partnership
Organisations offering support and guidance, and a list of resources that take you through the practicalities of setting up an overseas partnership.6. Support in the West Midlands
1. Thinking it through ~ articles to stimulate discussion
DEA Thinkpiece
Thinking about Linking?
Margaret Burr
Includes the author’s stories and personal anecdotes about linking, which highlight some of the issues and potential pitfalls.
www.dea.org.uk
School linking: a controversial issue
Author: Fran Martin
In this chapter Fran Martin questions the often uncontroversial nature of school linking and examines the factors affecting it.Can be found in The Challenge of Teaching Controversial Issues,
edited by Hilary Claire and Cathie Holden, Trentham Books, 2007
ISBN 978-1-85856-415-9The first links should be within our own communities
Keith Ajegbo, Guardian
Suggests that partnerships between schools in the UK, can contribute to understanding between and within communities
http://education.guardian.co.uk/cultureswap/story/0,,2210188,00.html
Primary Geographer
~ Focus on the global dimension and school partnerships
Number 62 Spring 2007
Contains useful articles, case studies and recommended resources.Available to download from website, free to GA members.
Published by Geographical Association www.geography.org.uk
Tide~ global learning
A number of useful articles can be found in the Tidetalk~ journalLearning about distant places at key stage 1
Sally Wood, Teacher, Chaddesly Corbett Endowed First SchoolDevelopment encounters
Darryl Humble, Northumbria UniversityConference reports
~ Learning about Africa, thinking it through
~ Quality global learningGlobal learning ~ exploring the pitfalls
Elaine Miskell, Tide~Bringing it together
Jeff Serf, University of Wolverhampton
The Global Dimension in Action ~ A curriculum planning guide for schools
QCA, 2007
Practical activities and case studies to support schools planning to embed global learning in the curriculum.
www.qca.org.uk/orderlineBringing the world into the classroom ~ Education for today’s global society
DfID, 2008
Booklet giving ideas for including global learning in the curriculum and where to go for guidance.
www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/bring-world-classroom.pdfDeveloping the global dimension in the school curriculum
DfID/DCSF, 2005
Supports cross-curricular planning using the framework of 8 key concepts.
www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/dev-global-dim.pdfGuidance on the duty to promote community cohesion in schools
DCSF, 2007
Explains what we mean by community cohesion and how schools can contribute to it. Includes online resource pack.
www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/CommunitycohesionCurriculum review: Diversity & Citizenship
Sir Keith Ajegbo, DCSF, 2007
Findings of Diversity and Citizenship Review Group, commissioned in 2006 by DfES to research ‘Diversity and Citizenship in the Curriculum’.
http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/
DfES_Diversity_&_Citizenship.pdf
3. Setting up a UK partnership
Schools Linking Network
This site offers support for school linking within the UK through local authorities, directly with schools via the National Gateway and by offering courses, resources and advice.
www.schoolslinkingnetwork.org.ukSchool Linking in Diversity Education
A website set up to support teachers in Lancashire. Includes information on how to set up a UK link, case studies and how a UK link contributes to requirements of key government strategies.
www.slide.lgec.org.uk
Just Linking ~ A guide to linking schools
Explores the issues and practicalities of setting up a successful link within the UK.
Published by Leeds DEC
www.leedsdec.org.uk
4. Promoting community cohesion
Trentham Books
Publishes a wide range of resources for teachers on race equality, and a journal, Race Equality Teaching. Some titles are recommended here.
www.trentham-books.co.uk
Here, there and everywhere ~ belonging, identity and equality in schools
Developed from a partnership between schools in Derbyshire. Considers six ‘big ideas’ and identifies opportunities and openings for exploring them, in each subject area.Robin Richardson
Trentham Books, 2004
ISBN: 978 1 85856 343 5What do we tell the children? ~ Confusion, conflict and complexity
Supports teachers – who may themselves be uncomfortable and confused – to talk to children about the sensitive and complex issues that partly derive from conflict connected to religious beliefs, political ideologies and philosophical life stances. It suggests ways for teachers to respond, and the words to use.Angela Gluck Wood
Trentham Books 2007
ISBN: 978 1 85856 407 4We’re all white thanks ~ the persisting myth about ‘white’ schools
Discusses recent ideas and strategies that support those seeking positive change in schools and communities. Includes suggestions for staff training and resources.Chris Gaine
Trentham Books, 2005
ISBN: 978 1 85856 345 9Equality stories ~ recognition, respect and raising achievement
A practical handbook for planning, staff training and professional development. The book tells the story of high quality inservice training on race equality issues and provides a model for other schools to follow.Robin Richardson and Berenice Miles
Trentham Books, 2003
ISBN: 1 85856 266 XTide~ publications
Produced by teachers, these sets of resources offer frameworks and ideas for exploring issues of diversity, identity & commonality.
Primary set - details
Multiverse
This website provides teachers with a comprehensive range of resources focusing on the educational achievement of pupils from diverse backgrounds.
www.multiverse.ac.uk
Runnymede
Aims to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain. Publishes handbooks, briefing papers, research reports and a newsletter Runnymede Bulletin. Also publishes the Real Histories Directory, an online resource tool for teachers, parents and pupils to encourage teaching and learning about cultural diversity across the UK.
Britkid
Britkid is a website about race, racism, and growing up in Britain, aimed at young people.
www.britkid.org
One in three
Wolverhampton City Council
Celebrating equalities, diversity and inclusion for children and young people in Wolverhampton. Newsletter currently available to Wolverhampton schools via the intranet. Latest issue available electronically by request.
5. Setting up an international partnership
Organisations
British Council
Offers a range of programmes, opportunities, guidance, CPD and funding for overseas school partnerships.
www.britishcouncil.orgGlobal Gateway
The DCSF Global Gateway puts schools in touch with each other. The site is managed by the British Council.
www.globalgateway.org.ukLink Community Development
From here you can find out about the Link Schools Programme.
www.lcd.org.ukUKOWLA [one world linking association]
UKOWLA supports links between communities in the UK and in other parts of the world particularly Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America.
www.ukowla.org.ukResources
A good practice guide to whole school linking
Supports thinking about the practical implications of establishing a link.
Author: Lisa Young
Published by: MUNDI Global Education Centre
www.mundi.org.uk
Global citizenship Guides:
Building successful school partnerships
Explores the educational opportunities of a partnership, the pitfalls, cornerstones for success and sources of information. Can be downloaded from the Oxfam website.
Published by Oxfam
www.oxfam.org.uk/education/teachersupport/cpd/partnershipsPartners in Learning
A guide to successful global school partnerships
Draws on experiences of partner schools in the UK, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. A practical handbook that looks at how partnerships contribute to a global learning curriculum.
Authors: Ruth Najda and Ali Brownlie
Published by Dfid Global School Partnerships
www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools-partners-in-learning.htmToolkit for good practice - Opportunities and challenges
Published by UKOWLA
Available to as a download
www.ukowla.org.uk/main/toolkit.asp
6. Support for school partnerships in the West Midlands
Tide~ CPD opportunities
Click here to see the current opportunities for teachers available at Tide~.
To visit the Tide~ resource base contact us wmc@tidec.org.Bridges Development Education Centre
Based in Shropshire, Bridges has a resource base and offers CPD opportunities. www.shropshirebridges.org.ukWorcestershire Global Dimensions Base
The website offers detailed information about funding for school partnerships, local opportunities, funding application deadlines and events. The base itself stocks a range of resources to view. www.wgdb.orgBritish Council Regional Network for International Learning
For information about the network and Local Authority contacts by region in England and Wales www.britishcouncil.org/learning-regional-network-for-international-learning.htmIn the West Midlands contact Judith Young judithyoung@warwickshire.gov.uk
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