Global Citizenship

June 6th, 2012

Cooperatives and Social Enterprise

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: cooperatives, social enterprise
 : Categories primary schools, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies

Global Citizenship education has Social Justice at its heart, and has clear links with the approaches taken by co-operatives and social enterprises. Both economic concepts have a focus on community benefit and well-being, and the involvement of local people in leading initiatives to improve their world.

2012 is the International Year of Co-operatives, IYOC 2012, and part of the celebrations is a big event for educators to be held at New Lanark next week. The event will highlight the contribution that study about Co-operatives and the Co-operative movement can make to implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. The organisers, the Co-operative Education Trust Scotland, has a strong track record of support for schools which includes the development of teaching resources. New SQA Awards in Cooperative Studies are now available for education providers to use with their students.

In Scotland our schools have substantial experience of developing Enterprise education, and are still innovating. A feature article in the current issue of the GTCS magazine ‘Teaching Scotland’, titled “Future Proof“, reports on programmes to support development of social enterprises in schools such as Banchory Academy, Aberdeenshire, and St Mary’s Primary, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire. The Scottish Social Enterprise Academy works with schools to develop skills and extend the vision of social entrepreneurship.

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 15th, 2012

Euroquiz success

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: euroquiz
 : Categories europe, international, languages, modern languages, primary schools, social studies

Yesterday the national finals of the Euroquiz 2012 competition were held in the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber in Edinburgh. Congratulations to St Mary’s Primary School, Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire, whose team won this year’s event; and well done to all the teams of Primary 6 pupils from around Scotland who took part in the regional heats and in the finals. The knowledge displayed by the students, and their skills in information retrieval, were very impressive for all of us who saw them in action at the various stages of the competition.

The event was recorded by Scottish Parliament TV, and the archive video footage is now available for viewers on their website.

The Euroquiz competition has been organised annually by the Scottish European Educational Trust for some years, and continues to attract mass participation and enhance learning about aspects of the European Union.

May 1st, 2012

Teachers gain Professional Recognition in Global Citizenship

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, events, school improvement
 : Categories citizenship, early years, leadership, primary schools, secondary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development

Teachers from across Glasgow were awarded Professional Recognition by the General Teaching Council for Scotland in Education for Global Citizenship.

The 24 teachers were awarded their certificates at a partnership event organised by GTC Scotland, Glasgow City Council and the West of Scotland Development Education Centre (WOSDEC). The event took place at Glasgow City Chambers on 25 April.

Habib Malik, Scottish Director of Islamic Relief and the Burns Humanitarian Award winner 2010 spoke about his experience of Global Citizenship and there were short presentations by the Chief Executive of the GTC Scotland, Anthony Finn, and Maureen McKenna Executive Director of Education at Glasgow City Council.

Professional Recognition, which is managed by GTC Scotland, provides teachers with an opportunity to gain recognition for particular expertise they may have and display in their teaching. Areas recognised previously include the Scots Language and Mentoring, Sustainable Education and Enterprise. So far 758 teachers across Scotland have received this professional award, bringing considerable benefits to their own professional development but also to the learning of their pupils and of their colleagues.

For more information about the event see the GTCS website

Click here to find out more about professional recognition in global citizenship, sustainable development education and outdoor learning.

April 26th, 2012

Global storylines - CPD opportunity

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, events
 : Categories africa, citizenship, creativity, curriculum areas, expressive arts, languages, primary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development

Global storylines is an exciting, innovative three year project in which storyline and drama are used to embed an exploration of global issues into the learning experiences of pupils in Glasgow.

Now in its second year, teachers from 17 Glasgow primary schools are exploring challenging global issues with their pupils, within the safe fictional community that storyline offers. Each global storyline uniquely combines global citizenship methodologies with both the pedagogies of “Storyline” and the associated pedagogies of process drama.

Learners are supported to think creatively, make connections, solve problems, and examine values and attitudes.

The event will be introduced by Steve Bell, Co-creator of Storyline, followed by a presentation by the Global Storylines Team on the scope of the project, the methodology, learning contexts and research findings.

Displays and videos of children’s work, and presentations from the project teachers, help to give a flavour of the project.

Venue & Registration:

Thursday 3rd May 2012, 2.30-5.00pm

University of Strathclyde, McCance Building

If you would like to attend this event, please register at:

http://ewds.strath.ac.uk/engage/Events/GlasgowGlobalStorylinesProject.aspx

April 26th, 2012

Europe and schools

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories europe, games and sport, international, primary schools, social studies

May 9th is Europe Day, a chance to celebrate our place in the European Union, and many teachers will mark the occasion with some special activity in school. Modern Languages are often the focus of such activity, but teachers will approach the Day in different ways to explore aspects of culture, history and contemporary life - such as food and drink.

Euroquiz 2012 has stimulated a huge amount of positive work in Scottish primary schools, with teachers encouraging their pupils to increase their knowledge about European countries and institutions. Hundreds of schools are involved in this annual quiz organised by Scottish European Educational Trust, with each school putting forward a team of P7 pupils to represent them in local heats. An example; West Kilbride primary won the North Ayrshire heat. The local winners then go forward to the national Finals, which will be held in the Scottish Parliament on 14th May. If you would like to watch the Finals live, the event will be broadcast on Holyrood TV and you can test yourself against the questions presented to the pupils.

Football is often a topic which appeals to Scottish pupils and their teachers, and the Euro 2012 football finals in Poland and the Ukraine will provide another context for learning more about Europe. UEFA is running a Respect your Health campaign with schools in the two host countries, with another campaign for adults focusing on combating racism in the sport, showing how football can bring people together and encourage responsible behaviour. The Euros are now just 43 days away, and some of us are getting excited!

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 14th, 2012

Sustainability event - Echt Primary School share through Glow TV

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: events, nature, school improvement
 : Categories biodiversity, community, curriculum areas, outdoor learning, primary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development

Echt School, Aberdeenshire, is holding a Sustainability Event on March 16th 2012 to share and showcase the learning the children have been engaged in this term around Sustainability and Global Citizenship.

From Nursery to P7, they have been involved in setting up a wormery, looking after chickens and hatching eggs, looking at our school’s Food and Waste Footprint, finding out about making paper to make their own compostable paper bags, Fairtrade and finding out about solar energy.

Go to Glow TV to find out more – click here (Glow log in required)

February 9th, 2012

Falkirk Council DGC Showcase and open day at Bo’ness Academy

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, europe, events, modern languages, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, Uncategorized, china, citizenship, curriculum areas, early years, europe, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, leadership, mathematics, modern languages, primary schools, religious and moral education, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Falkirk Council global citizenship showcase and school open day

Venue: Bo’ness Academy, Falkirk

9:30am – 3.00pm

This event will now take place on Thursday 17th May 2012

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.

Following the open day event, participants will also have the opportunity to attend Falkirk Council’s Global Citizenship Showcase event which will also be taking place in Bo’ness Academy from 4pm – 6pm. This will feature exhibitions and displays from leading organisations such as Eco-Schools Scotland and the British Council and will showcase innovative global citizenship practice from many Falkirk schools.

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!

Download programme for Bo’ness Academy Open Day >>