INTERNATIONAL THINKING in association with
An ocean divides us:
a goal unites us
The poignant words above are those of a Brazilian headteacher, whose school forms just one of the
global partnerships that have been forged by the students and staff of South Dartmoor Community
College. Headteacher Ray Tarleton, a Connecting Classrooms ambassador with the British Council,
explains more about what makes a global partnership work
n a recent train journey to Delhi, Links also provide a platform for young people to Although it involved the headteacher of the Brazilian (our summer holiday) is in January and February. By
O
I was engaged in conversation by challenge, inform and gain a voice in their own future school rushing off to buy an oven to carry out the the time they return, we are thinking of our half-term
the passengers sitting around me. There is a tremendous desire on the part of schools in experiment, the results were outstanding. break. And symbols, such as posters, T-shirts and
“Who does the cooking in your the countries in which the British Council operates to The next stage is to use designs from pre-history photographs, though powerful, can be substitutes for
house?” asked one whose calling become engaged in this work. Those who take part – based on early jewellery and pottery, to produce action and mislead us into believing a lot is happening
card (I received dozens) told me frequently describe their experiences as life-changing. chocolates featuring these. This again will be a two- when it might not be.
that he was a bank manager. “Is it One UK head, talking about experiences overseas way process between students in both countries. We
your wife, her mother, or your daughter?” said: “It is fascinating, even towards the end of one’s aim to produce presentation boxes enhanced with
What can we achieve?
This is an example of the fascinating cultural sixth decade of life, to discover again those things in Laser Image Transfer printing. We can offer assistance A future in which students are able to find information
differences that we discover when we make overseas life which thrill, which move, which stir.” in development of projects, the production of DVDs, not only from books or the internet, but also by directly
links, particularly from other continents. The question supporting exemplar materials, and technical support. asking international partners is now possible.
challenges the assumptions on which we base our own
What makes a good school link?
Sam Morcombe and Richard Garrood from the We should aim for regularity of contact and devise
value system. It is important to invest time, energy and some funding technology department at South Dartmoor, said: “It curriculum projects that improve the quality of learning,
The British Council manages the Connecting in supporting international work. The benefits will be only needs inspiration, imagination, commitment and enhancing the skills of teachers and reducing the barriers
Classrooms programme which builds lasting enormous. Clarity about aspirations is a starting point, dedication, and a vision of how we can best endow between us. New technology through email, video and
partnerships between groups of schools in the UK and but you can get lost in that ocean that divides unless our students with an understanding of global issues audio links such as Skype have transformed what we
others around the world. you have a shared, agreed plan. It is best to agree and through direct contact and co-operation with schools can achieve. But packages sent between two schools are
This year, I have been privileged to work in India, communicate proposals for action based on: worldwide.” eagerly anticipated and everyone enjoys opening them.
Brazil, Mexico and South East Asia with headteachers • The curriculum project outline and mutual benefits. Some schools have used the idea of a box in which
and teachers who are interested in piloting new awards • The names of project leaders from both schools.
What are the barriers?
the students placed treasured objects to show the things
which will form part of the recognition strand. These will • Email and telephone contacts. The most important challenge is to sustain and embed that they value the most. This provided a great talking
offer opportunities for staff and students from across the • Named English-speaking contact (usually an any links that are set up. An obvious barrier is language: point and, of course, it can be done as a virtual box sent
world to gain accreditation for the international work English teacher). this can be overcome by the use of projects in art, electronically.
that they do. • Student leaders in the schools. dance, music, sport, food, and textiles. It is helpful if
The terms “international” and “global” are often • List of actions with dates, outcomes, success criteria. you have someone in your school who can speak the
Awards
used inter-changeably, but have different meanings. • Regular review and evaluation opportunities language of the students in the link school and if their The new Connecting Classrooms International Awards,
International implies cross-border, connecting countries Through the British Council’s Dreams and Teams English teacher is a key member of the liaison team. which will become available in the UK and to schools
and linking nations. Global gives us the sense of all initiative, we have had a regular exchange over five Time zones can present problems. Sometimes there around the world, will offer incentives for schools to
embracing, linking the whole world and with a moral years with Satriwithaya School in Thailand, a 4,000 is only an hour or two at most when the school become involved in this inspirational and motivating
responsibility. An Indian teacher explained the term pupil girls’ school. Three teachers and 10 to 16 students, day between the two countries overlaps. School term work. They complement the DCSF International
global with a vivid example: “The child belongs to the staying with host families in each country, visit each misalignments can cause difficulties. In South America Schools Award and are:
world – not just to us.” other annually. Thai dancing, food, music and language and parts of South East Asia, the main school holiday • The International Leader Award.
Connecting Classrooms aims to bring about long- are a regular feature of the exchange with advice from • The International Teacher Award.
term change, working with teachers, school leaders, and us on interactive teaching methods. Anyone who has • The Global Citizen Award.
policy-makers to embed an international dimension in been there knows that the manners, culture of respect, Each award is based on the idea of self-evaluation
education systems worldwide. The programme develops and sunny optimism are to be treasured. and personal learning. They are bureaucracy-light but
trust and understanding between young people in At South Dartmoor, also as a result of Connecting learning heavy. Leaders, teachers and students can
different societies, and a safer and more connected Classrooms, the technology department is helping self-assess, using an online facility that has been
world for the future. young people to gain insights into Brazilian culture and developed. Candidates are sent graphical representation
By introducing an international dimension, young students’ daily lives. Using leading-edge technology, we of strengths and weaknesses and prompts for areas that
people are equipped with the skills and cultural are demonstrating that frontiers are no longer important need to be developed. Watch out for these in 2010.
understanding they need to live and work in our global in terms of global manufacturing and marketing. A However many oceans divide us, there has never
society. The programme is free and enables schools to DVD showing the processes was sent to our partner been a greater need in the world for a unifying goal.
work in more than 100 countries around the world. UK school in Brazil, Escola Estadual Maciel Pinheiro. And finally, the answer to the Indian bank manager’s
schools usually need to form clusters with other local Team-teaching has involved teachers and students in question. He was astonished to hear that my children
schools and gain the support of their local authority in both schools through live video links. live in London and that my wife and I share the
order to apply. The Brazilian students provided us with designs to United: (clockwise from top left) South cooking. But I do the curries! SecEd
Given that all schools in this country will be expected reflect cultural influences: family life and their natural Dartmoor students video-conferencing
to have an international partner by 2012, there has never environment. The UK students used some creative with peers in Brazil during a jewellery-mak- • Ray Tarleton is headteacher of South Dartmoor
been a better time to begin thinking about links. There software and laser technology to manufacture moulds ing session; traditional Brazilian dancing at Community College in Devon.
is no doubt that these educational opportunities allow in which pewter (soft metal) shapes were cast. These South Dartmoor; Thai students joining their
colleagues and children in our schools to engage with were sent to Brazil. During the live link our students English peers in a cookery class; and part-
Further information
each other, opening hearts and minds, inspiring leading and theirs experienced the process of casting metal. ners in the Connecting Classrooms project www.britishcouncil.org/learning-connecting-
and learning. The outcome was “a stained glass window” display. with Brazil with Ray Tarleton (centre) classrooms.htm
SecEd • May 7 2009 19
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