Global Citizenship

May 30th, 2012

‘Polarlands’ climate change case study - Rhu Primary School

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD
 : Categories CPD, ICT, curriculum areas, early years, expressive arts, primary schools, renewables and climate change, sciences, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development

This comprehensive case study developed in partnership with Rhu Primary School in Argyll and Bute shows the climate change can provide an excellent context for learning even with the youngest learners.

The case study is a description of an extended, collaborative early and first level interdisciplinary study on climate change undertaken by the Primary 1, 2 and 3 classes at the school.

The study was called Polar Lands and was based on the book ‘Who will save us?’ by Rebecca Morch. It incorporated the themes of enterprise and sustainability. The project also involved parents and community partners from the planning stage right through to the evaluation of the success of the learning.

This study exemplifies the following characteristics of interdisciplinary learning:

• Choosing a theme or problem which requires knowledge and skills from different curriculum areas, aspects of a curriculum area or subjects
• Capitalising on themes for development across learning, including developing global citizenship

Click here to see the full case study and accompanying videos.

May 23rd, 2012

Scottish teachers in Africa

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: volunteering
 : Categories CPD, africa, international

Its the time of the year when many teachers are planning ahead, both for the summer school holidays and for the next school annual cycle. And every year a number of Scottish teachers decide to spend part of their time in Africa as volunteers who can make a contribution to development and improvement of school education in a developing country. Some will go for short periods, others will commit to a longer stay, and they will do this as individuals or as part of a group, through a link organised by a local church or a charity. And as a consequence each one will return to Scotland better able to demonstrate and champion global citizenship among the young people they teach here.

Two examples:

International development charity Voluntary Service Overseas VSO currently has an urgent need for education professionals to take up volunteering placements in Ethiopia, starting this September 2012. VSO volunteers are working at a number of different levels in Ethiopia to help improve teacher training and education management, increasing the quality and relevance of education that children receive. Senior teachers and education managers are working with national government institutions supporting the development and implementation of national policies like teacher training programmes and monitoring and evaluation systems. Experienced teachers are working within regional education and teacher education institutions to help deliver training programmes and develop the skills of their local colleagues. Many Scottish teachers have gained their experience through VSO. This short YouTube video clip features Edinburgh teacher Dhamayanthi talking about her volunteering experience in Ethiopia. Contact VSO about Ethiopia and other opportunities to use your skills to help children in developing nations to get a better start in life.

Another kind of opportunity is provided by the Global Teachers programme run by charity Link Community Development Scotland, now solely funded by the Wood Family Trust. This summer a group of teachers and headteachers from Aberdeenshire will spend five weeks in Ugandan schools, helping local teachers to employ better pedagogy, and improve school leadership and planning. An article in TESS describes the preparatory phase for the Scots and the kind of positive outcomes the individuals hope for.

April 30th, 2012

Global Awareness and Community Showcase Event, East Renfrewshire

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, CPD, events, Fairtrade
 : Categories CPD, citizenship, international, sharing practice

Woodfarm High School will host this year’s global citizenship event in East Renfrewshire and invites members of their local community to see the diverse and inspirational work undertaking in schools across the local authority.

The programme includes music and dance performances as well as a variety of Fair Trade food and jewellery stalls, henna tattoos drawing and a plant sale.

Event details:

Woodfarm High School

Wednesday, 23 May

Time: 4 – 6pm

April 26th, 2012

Circular economy event – resources now on Glow

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, events, resources
 : Categories CPD, curriculum areas, mathematics, sciences, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Education Scotland hosted an event in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the University of Edinburgh on 30^th March 2012 at the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow to explore how the concept of a circular economy can be used as a focus for sustainable development education and interdisciplinary learning.

The circular economy is a generic term for an industrial economy that is, by design or intention, restorative and in which materials flows are of two types, biological nutrients, designed to re-enter the biosphere safely, and technical nutrients, which are designed to circulate at high quality without entering the biosphere. The circular economy proposes a coherent framework for re-thinking and re-building a positive vision of the future.

Find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the circular economy by watching this short video: www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/convince_me

The presentations and resources from the event are now available on Glow at https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Climate%20Change/Lists/Pages/Resources.aspx

April 26th, 2012

Place-based learning - CPD opportunity

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, events, nature
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, community, curriculum areas, outdoor learning, sustainable development

Venue: Glen Strae (near Dalmally), Argyll, Scotland

Cost: £100

Places: 15

Dates: 25^th – 27^th May 2012

Times: arrival from 7pm on the Friday, finish before 5pm Sunday

Spend a weekend in a beautiful glen honing your outdoor learning skills. Find out how to get the most from the places you use, and learn practices which can bring out the unique features of your locality and context. Share a stimulating workshop with other educators and journey in a rich landscape full of stories.

Ground - Develop a sense of how to work with the places you take your school/group as more than just venues. Insights from ‘place-based education’ will help you answer the question ‘why here?’ and get the most from the locality in which you work.

Experience – Walk and discuss the ethics of working ‘in, about and for’ places. Look at ways of introducing, working with and reviewing learning in the landscape.

Develop – Model and discuss techniques and exercises for all age ranges which bring out the varied elements of place: history, land-use, ecology and personal connections.

Understand – Discuss the ideas behind this approach, asking what is a ‘sense of place?’ and investigating the curriculum and educational links to topics such as sustainability, and personal well-being.

We will be camping so please bring your own food, outdoor clothing and camping equipment. Transport is possible by train (Glasgow – Oban line), transfers between Dalmally Station and Glen Strae can be arranged.

A deposit of £50 will reserve your place please contact [email protected] for details

Deposits are non-returnable and full balances will be due 4 weeks before the course – we recommend you take out insurance for cancellation

Any queries please contact [email protected]

April 26th, 2012

Outdoor Learning Placement - John Muir Award

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, nature
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, outdoor learning, sustainable development

The John Muir Award (an educational initiative of the John Muir Trust) is offering an exciting opportunity for an educator who would like to develop their knowledge and experience of outdoor learning.

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It aims to encourage people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. It is a nationally recognised scheme that is already demonstrating strong links with Curriculum for Excellence.

This placement will help interpret and build on Education Scotland’s on-going investment in Outdoor Learning to meet key areas such as Health and Well-being, Global Citizenship, Sustainable Development Education, Literacy, Numeracy, Creativity and Skills for Learning, Life and Work. The placement opportunity will extend and strengthen outdoor learning approaches through the John Muir Award both nationally and in a specific Local Authority area (depending on successful candidate source).

This is a flexible opportunity that we would like to offer in partnership with a Local Authority or other relevant employer. Please note that this is not a fully funded opportunity, and would need to be supported by your current employer. The John Muir Trust can provide substantial support in kind such as office space, management, development and training.

Time commitment: Ideally the placement would be over a full academic year. Part and full time placements will be considered. Location of placement can also be flexible.

Deadline for applications: 18 May, 2012
Prospective applicants should submit a CV and covering letter.

Applications can either be emailed to: [email protected] or posted to:
Rebecca Logsdon, John Muir Award Scotland Education Manager
John Muir Trust, Tower House, Station Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AN t: 01796 484972

April 19th, 2012

School Open day - Stockbridge Primary School, City of Edinburgh

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, CPD, europe, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, citizenship, curriculum areas, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, mathematics, primary schools, religious and moral education, sciences, sharing practice, social studies, technologies

School Open Day – Stockbridge Primary School, City of Edinburgh Council

Main focus: developing a strong pupil voice & partnership working with the local and international community

Thursday, 17 May 2012, 9.15 am – 3 pm (tbc)

The highly successful programme of Developing Global Citizens study visits to schools around the country continues with Stockbridge Primary School.

Stockbridge Primary School has worked hard to embed global citizenship themes at the heart of the curriculum. This work has involved the establishment of systems which promote pupil voice and meaningful partnerships with pupils, parents, the local community and international partners.

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.

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!

April 19th, 2012

School Open Day - Kinnaird Primary School, Falkirk Council

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, democracy, enterprise, europe, events, Fairtrade, learner voice, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, citizenship, curriculum areas, europe, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, leadership, learner voice, mathematics, primary schools, religious and moral education, sciences, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

School open day - Wed 23rd May 2012

Since opening in August 2007, Kinnaird Primary School has demonstrated a strong commitment to Global Citizenship. It was the first school in Falkirk to achieve Fairtrade status, has achieved two ECO Schools green flags, Falkirk Council’s International Education Awards (Stage 2) and the British Council Intermediate Level Developing Internationalism Award, in addition to Falkirk Council’s Platinum Level Enterprise Education Award.

Download programme for open day>>

Programme

9.30 Registration and Coffee

9.45 Welcome and introduction by Pamela Adamson, Headteacher

10.00 Tour of school

Participants given tour of school by pupils/staff in small groups, including visits to classes

11.00 Coffee break

11.30 Presentation about the school’s journey (Pamela Adamson and pupils)

12.00 Informal question and answer session

12.30 Lunch

13.15 Presentation by Megan Farr, Policy Officer, outlining the work Falkirk Council Education Services do to support and promote Global Citizenship in schools

13.30 Reflection and professional dialogue

Participants exchange ideas and reflect on personal experience in the light of the visit

14.45 Close

If you wish to register for this Open Day, please contact Megan Farr on 01324 506671 or [email protected]

March 27th, 2012

Review and catch-up: Learner Voice and Pupil Participation event, 23 March, Edinburgh

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, learner voice
 : Categories CPD, Uncategorized, citizenship, community, learner voice, outdoor learning, renewables and climate change, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development

Delegates enjoyed a diverse and inspiring programme covering a wide range of approaches, themes, and initiatives across the educational spectrum. With the opening provided by Professor Kay Livingston (Director of International, Research and Innovation at Education Scotland) pupils set the tone for the day by sharing their vision on the theme with the delegates.

The key note address delivered by Tam Baillie highlighted the enthusiasm at all levels to provide learners with the opportunities to express making their voices heard and count, most of all by children and young people themselves.

Tree spotlight addresses provide exemplification and inspiration on ‘learner voice and pupil participation’ across a variety of sectors. A diverse workshop programme allowed practitioners to engage with key themes such as rights education, pupil profiling and sustainability education in more detail, followed by a discussion and networking session in the afternoon.

If you wish to catch up on the key themes of the day you will find a selection of presentations and support materials form in one of Developing Global Citizens Glow sections under ‘Learner Voice’.

March 22nd, 2012

School Open Day at Bo’ness Academy

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, europe, events, modern languages, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, china, commonwealth, curriculum areas, europe, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, mathematics, religious and moral education, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, technologies

School open day - using international education to develop a whole school approach to global citizenship

Venue: Bo’ness Academy, Falkirk

9:30am – 3.00pm

Thursday 17th May 2012

Note: this event was due to place at an earlier date in the year but has now been rescheduled for the date above.

Theme: International Education

This CPD event offers practitioners and school leaders an exciting opportunity to visit Bo’ness Academy and attend Falkirk Council’s Global Citizenship Showcase Event.

Bo’ness Academy is an inspiring example of a school that has used international education as a vehicle to engage the whole school in global citizenship activities. Through the Comenius Programme and other well established links the school has developed a rich international programme connecting it to countries across the world including: The Gambia, The Netherlands, China, France, Germany and The Czech Republic.

A focus of the event will be to identify and share the practical lessons and ideas that have helped the school move forward on its journey including:

• Making global citizenship a key priority in the school and a focus for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence
• Using international links to explore important issues in a global context and to create engaging, meaningful and challenging learning experiences
• Developing strong international partnerships which can be sustained and which have made an impact on every learner.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the Head Teacher, International Coordinator, staff and learners and also tour the classrooms and school. Time will also be set aside for participants to reflect and share their own experiences.

Download Programme for Bo’ness Academy Open Day 17May12

How to book

To book, please contact Megan Farr, Policy Officer, Falkirk Council. Email: [email protected] or Tel. 01324 506671.

Places for the open day section of the event are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. This is a free event!