Global Citizenship

September 28th, 2011

Newly revised - Schools Global Footprint calculator

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, enterprise, learner voice, nature, resources, water
 : Categories ICT, mathematics, renewables and climate change, sciences, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Education Scotland’s new-look Schools Global Footprint Calculator is now live and can be viewed at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/schoolsglobalfootprint

This key online resource has had a significant make-over and now features:

• a user-friendly interactive calculator
• streamlined navigation
• a comprehensive teacher handbook
• tutorial videos for practitioners
• inspiring examples of how schools have used the resource to reduce their footprint.

The school estate is responsible for an estimated 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from local authorities. The online calculator allows learners to measure the ecological footprint of their school in relation to six topic areas: food, water, energy, buildings, transport and waste. Learners are also encouraged to develop innovative approaches to reducing their impact on the environment and promoting sustainable lifestyles in the wider community – from tackling the school run to growing and eating their own produce to reduce food miles.

In addition to providing an exciting real life context for delivering the experiences and outcomes, the resource greatly supports Eco-Schools activities and provides learners with skills for learning, life and work as Scotland move towards a low-carbon future.

View the Schools Global Footprint resource or find out more about Education Scotland’s sustainable development education resources.

September 28th, 2011

British Council supports international school partnerships

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: europe, funding, modern languages, resources
 : Categories CPD, africa, china, citizenship, europe, india, international, modern languages

British Council supports schools in Scotland to make connections in Europe and globally and provide a wide variety of opportunities including accreditation and grants for CPD, exchange visits, work placements abroad and joint curriculum project work with partner schools.

The following up-coming opportunities and deadlines are opened to any school in Scotland in order to develop new and existing global connections:

Connecting Classrooms: Project with schools in the Middle East– Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Deadline: 21 October

Schools with existing China school partnerships can also apply on 21 October to receive funding to develop joint curriculum work and involve students in partner visits.

For more information visit: www.britishcouncil.org/connectingclassrooms

£250 is available for staff costs, travel and subsistence to explore the idea of long term equitable partnerships with schools in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Reciprocal Visit Grants (for partnerships with Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean): 1 November- 9 January (deadline)

For more information: www.dfid.org.uk/globalschools

ETwinning and Comenius: These projects can help schools to start new partnerships projects with European partners. In-Service Training on professional development courses or job shadowing and to host Comenius Assistants in 2012. under: www.britishcouncil.org/comenius or www.etwinning.net

Online resource including partner finding and accreditation to receive recognition for schools’ global citizenship and international work is also available through www.britishcouncil.org/schoolsonline.

September 28th, 2011

New open day programme 2011/12

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, events, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, citizenship, community, creativity, curriculum areas, early years, games and sport, international, primary schools, scottish culture, secondary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development

New global citizenship open day study visits!

We are pleased to announce a new series of the popular, inspiring and practical school open days from Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizens team.

Sign up by contacting [email protected] or call 0141 252 5000

There is increasing recognition that the rich contexts and learning approaches associated with global citizenship are a powerful means of engaging with Curriculum for Excellence. In this initiative, selected schools are offering an open door to senior leaders and classroom practitioners to share how they have led a whole school approach to global citizenship.

The schools selected for the open school programme have developed approaches that have successfully woven elements such as sustainable development education, education for citizenship, international education and games legacy into a wider coordinated whole-school approach to developing global citizens. The programme includes a number of award winning schools and schools whose achievements have been widely recognised.

What others have said about the study visits:

‘The best CPD I have ever had’

‘This was an inspirational CPD event and I found it all very useful and enjoyable, particularly the input from the HT/PT and children – fantastic’

‘My mind is going into overdrive – I plan to take everything you have given and use it!’

Further events will be added to the programme in the coming weeks so watch this blog entry for updates.

Places for these events are limited so it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

Sign up by contacting [email protected] or call 0141 252 5000

Find out more about using global citizenship to develop a whole school approach to Curriculum for Excellence

Download the new global citizenship calendar for 2011-12

September 26th, 2011

The History of White People - opportunity for schools

mfarrell

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories CPD, africa, citizenship, international, religious and moral education, secondary schools, social studies, united states

The History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter

To mark Black History Month in the UK, a leading African American historian asks why white people became white.

Scottish schools offering Higher and Advanced Higher courses on Civil Rights in the US are being encouraged to attend and already around 50 pupils from schools across Scotland have signed up!

On October 11, Nell Irvin Painter, Professor Emerita at Princeton and Fulbright Visiting Professor in the UK will be giving a public lecture at the University of Edinburgh. Prof. Painter is a leading expert on the history of race and race relations in the US and beyond. Her lecture is titled ‘The History of White People’ and historicises the concept of whiteness in western thought. This is a free, but ticketed event.

Doors open at 5.30pm.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM (GMT)

Teviot Lecture Theatre

Doorway 5, Old Medical School

Teviot Place

EH8 9AG Edinburgh

United Kingdom

The University of Edinburgh

Register for this event now at :

http://edinburgh-university-72-rss.eventbrite.com

Please note:

This event may be photographed and/or recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University or University approved third parties.

For any further information contact: Anna Moslow, [email protected] or Frank Cogliano [email protected]

September 20th, 2011

Forest Pitch football strip design competition

mfarrell

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories Uncategorized, biodiversity, citizenship, community, creativity, games and sport, health and wellbeing, international, scottish culture, social studies, sustainable development

Design a football strip for Forest Pitch!

Education Scotland and Forest Pitch are working in partnership to offer all primary age children in Scotland an opportunity to design the football strips for an exciting project connected with London 2012.

Forest Pitch is the only Scottish project in Artists Taking The Lead, a major part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and is also part of the London 2012 Festival, the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad. The Cultural Olympiad uses art and culture to welcome the world, to inspire young people and to create a lasting legacy.

Scottish artist Craig Coulthard, supported by funding from Creative Scotland will be creating a full size football pitch hidden deep within woodland in the Scottish Borders. In July 2012, two games will take place on this pitch, one between men and one between women. The players will all be amateurs, resident in Scotland, over the age of 18. In addition they will all be people who have become British citizens since the year 2000. After these games, the pitch will be left to grow back, and become a living relic of the events that took place in the woods.

The project explores a range of themes: national identity and belonging, what it means to be a citizen, how personal and shared memories and myths are created, the power of sport, diversity in nature and society, and sustainability.

Forest Pitch is looking for your creative designs for the football strips which the players will wear. As there are 4 teams (2 men’s and 2 women’s) Craig is looking for 4 winners.

The competition is for primary-age pupils and is designed to enable children to express themselves openly and freely and to encourage critical thinking and creativity. They will be able to express their own ideas, thoughts and feelings by exploring the themes of Forest Pitch and then creating a football strip design.

To find out more and enter the competition click here.

For further information contact [email protected]

… and don’t forget to register with Get Set and use Forest Pitch as part of your application to the Get Set Network. This will provide even more opportunities and resources for learning linked to London 2012 - and free tickets through the ticketshare scheme. Over 1100 Scottish schools are registered for Get Set and over 170 are now on the network.

September 20th, 2011

Grants available for climate change projects

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, funding
 : Categories citizenship, renewables and climate change, sciences, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Get started with your climate change campaigning!!

Have you been exploring climate change in your classroom and are ready to take action to raise awareness?

Climate Exchange are offering two types of grants to participating schools to support activities around climate change. Schools are eligible to win both grants.

Some ideas include:

• Running a poster campaign on climate change issues
• Creating improvised drama or art displays
• Producing videos and photos to visualize your activity
• Interviewing school decision-makers within local authorities

Project staff at Climate Exchange are able to support you with your application so if you need help developing your ideas please get in touch with them. They can also help to promote your activity in the media, the local community and to MPs / MEP’s.

For more information about how to apply visit:

http://www.mtl-cec.org/about/get-started-with-your-climate-change-campaigning.html

Find out too about the programme of Active Citizenship residential courses available. Transport costs will be provided. More info at: http://www.mtl-cec.org/about/active-citizenship-residential.html

September 20th, 2011

New school open day: Mearns Primary School, East Renfrewshire

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: learner voice
 : Categories Uncategorized, citizenship, primary schools, sharing practice

Main focus: Learner voice and Rights Respecting Schools

Thursday, 13 October 2011, 9.30 am – 3 pm

Mearns Primary School, - this year’s Education Awards in the category ‘Global Citizenship’ -, will provide you with the opportunity to spend the day in the school to talk to staff and pupils about a high level of momentum and commitment to learner voice across the whole school for years. This has enabled the school to transform the ethos as well as the overall life and work of the school and to develop rich learning experiences and activities including:

• Implementing a highly effective pupil participation strategy
• Developing international education programme through the ‘Connecting Classrooms’ programme (British Council) and links with other foreign schools.
• Forging strong partnerships with parents and a wide range of local community groups and businesses.
• Establishing a whole school ethos based on justice, fairness and human rights agenda leading to Rights Respecting Schools accreditation and peer assessor status.

A focus of the event will be to identify and share the practical lessons and ideas that have helped the school move forward in its journey, and also to reflect on the challenges encountered along the way. Time will also be set aside for some professional dialogue and exchange of ideas.

For more information see attached document: Mearns Primary Open day

How to book

To book, please email: [email protected] or

Phone 0141 282 5172.

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

This is a free event!

September 20th, 2011

New Resource - Working in the energy sector

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy
 : Categories mathematics, renewables and climate change, sciences, sustainable development, technologies

The energy sector is set to become a key driver in the Scottish economy, offering exciting job opportunities for people at every career stage.

It is estimated that between 52,000 to 95,000 energy-related jobs will be created in the coming decade as Scotland realises its ambitions to become a world leader in wind, wave and tidal renewable technologies. In total, the transformation to a low carbon economy could generate an estimated 130,000 jobs.

The oil and gas sector continues to grow too with companies in this industry looking to recruit 10,000 employees over the next 5 years.

Education Scotland has produced this guidance leaflet for teachers and those who advise on careers.

Download the leaflet below to learn more about:

• the job opportunities that exist and the skills that will be required to access careers in the energy sector
• online support and resources that are available to support learning and teaching
• places to visit including renewable energy demonstration projects
• what you can do to promote awareness and engagement in energy-related careers

Download the leaflet >> Working in the energy sector

To order more copies of this leaflet - email: [email protected] or ring Customer services 0141 282 5000

September 19th, 2011

Film and Global Citizenship

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: cinema, film
 : Categories ICT, africa, international, languages, modern languages, social studies

Global Citizenship teaching and learning within ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ can benefit from the thoughtful, selective and informed use of Film. Many teachers will have their students watch chosen extracts or entire movies, films picked carefully which cover themes or narratives which will add to the knowledge and understanding of their students. Working with films also enables students to acquire and deepen skills in research, critical analysis and media literacy, helping them to handle different sources of information, form and communicate informed viewpoints.

In Scotland we are lucky to have a number of cinema festivals and venues which enable teachers to work with films about global citizenship issues and films from other countries which offer different and diverse viewpoints.

The Take One Action film festival begins today in Edinburgh and Glasgow and runs for the next two weeks. It offers a wide range of movies about global issues such as land, poverty, climate change, food, conflict and much more. There are documentaries and dramas, and many showings are complemented by themed audience discussions, interviews with film-makers and NGOs, etc. I’ve picked out just three of the films on offer, which may have particular use in school: ’Fezeka’s Voice‘, about an inspirational teacher and musicians from South Africa; ‘Blood in the mobile’, about child labour and mineral extraction in Congo; and ‘There once was an island’, about climate change in Polynesia. For full details of the films show dates and associated activities, check the Take One Action website.

Independent Film venues often host parts of such annual film festivals, but also run their own extensive programmes of film showings which expose teachers and students to alternative perspectives. Glasgow Film Theatre, Edinburgh’s Filmhouse, and Dundee Contemporary Arts are all active in this regard, and teachers should contact their nearest venue for advance programme details which may include special showings for schools (with associated educational elements) or teacher CPD sessions.

These independent venues are also imaginative in working with partners to develop their own festivals and seasons of films which focus on a particular theme. Two examples:

- Filmhouse hosts the ‘Africa in Motion’ festival in early November, running a series of films and events which deal with the lives and issues of young people in Africa. The films include shorts, animations, fiction and documentaries.

- The Discovery Film Festival takes place at DCA in Dundee, and its schools programme runs from 22nd October to 6th November. There are teacher CPD sessions alongside the film programme.

Many venues also take part in National Schools Film Week, which for Scotland in 2011 will be from 27th October to 4th November.

September 19th, 2011

Bring learning to life with the brand new Global Citizenship calendar 2011/12

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, competition, democracy, enterprise, europe, events, games legacy, resources
 : Categories Uncategorized, africa, biodiversity, citizenship, commonwealth, games and sport, international, scottish culture

We are delighted to offer you a free Global Citizenship calendar containing major events and dates to help you plan rich and stimulating learning experiences across the curriculum throughout the year.

Go to Global Citizenship calendar 2011/12 and download the pdf version or email [email protected] to request a printed (A2) version.

An exciting online version of this calendar connecting you to support materials for each entry will soon be available on the Education Scotland website (http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ ). So, whether you are planning learning around religious festivals, Holocaust Memorial day or World Environment Day, the Global Citizenship calendar will point you in the right direction.