Tuesday 14 February 2017

British Council links South African schools with UK counterparts in an effort towards knowledge sharing and international partnerships  

Seven South African schools have forged partnerships with UK schools as part of the UK-funded Connecting Classrooms project, a unique global education programme. Connecting Classrooms is designed to broaden teaching practice, equipping teachers to prepare their learners with the skills they need for life and work in a global economy. 

Colm McGivern, Director South Africa said: “Connecting Classrooms equips teachers and school leaders to broaden their teaching practice and ultimately improve learning outcomes for young people in the 21st century.

It’s a fantastic way for teachers to access free professional training and learn practical approaches to teaching the core skills required by students to fully prepare them for life and work in a global economy.

Forging a partnership and working with a school overseas who has also completed the training is a unique way to not only understand more about the education system of another country, but also compare approaches, take away new ideas and pedagogies, and ultimately build confidence in delivering the core skills in the classroom.”

Once teachers complete the Core Skills Professional Development training, schools are eligible to apply for an international partnership. As part of the programme, teachers incorporate teaching ‘21st century Core Skills’ into the curriculum, as well as to visit partner schools in the other country to exchange insights and ideas on how to improve teaching and learning in their schools.

This week, UK teachers will visit their partner school in South Africa and share their experiences and successes in teaching and implementing the Core Skills into their own curriculum.

The visit will culminate in a conference: Sharing good practice and celebrating professional partnerships (UK-SA) on 16 February 2017 at the Park Inn in Sandton, providing a platform for their success to be shared more widely.

Representatives from the South African Department of Basic Education and British Council Country Director, Colm McGivern will be in attendance. 

For more information about Connecting Classrooms, please contact Thabisa: Thabisa.Ndlazi@britishcouncil.org.za

Notes to Editor

  • Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme brought to schools by the British Council in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID).
  • It is a fully funded learning journey that includes face-to-face and online courses, international professional partnerships and visit funding opportunities based around core skills.
  • The programme gives teachers and educational professionals the opportunity to develop classroom practice and develop ideas with like-minded teachers internationally.
  • Before a school can apply for a professional partnership, it must complete one of the British Council’s fully-funded courses on teaching the core skills.
  • To facilitate collaboration face to face, schools in the UK can apply for a £3,000 grant to take part in a project with an overseas school.
  • By developing and networking with thousands of teachers across the world, the British Council aims to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and values to live and work in a globalised economy.
  • The British Council has committed £17 million over three years to work across the globe. The UK government has additionally contributed £17 million to support partnerships between schools in the UK and developing countries.
  • Thousands of schools will be supported to work together in over 30 countries across the world; to enhance teaching and learning for teachers and young people.

For more information about Connecting Classrooms, please visit https://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/connecting-classrooms  or contact Schools@britishcouncil.org 

The Department for International Development:

The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, building a safer, healthier, more prosperous world for all of us which is firmly in the UK’s national interest. We're ending the need for aid by creating jobs, unlocking the potential of girls and women and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk     

About the British Council

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. It is a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.