LOCAL SCHOOL FROM STONE JOINS COMENIUS TO LINK UP WITH EUROPE
14 November 2008 Christ Church First School in Stone has joined the Comenius programme, providing pupils and staff with the opportunity to form partnerships with schools across Europe and bring the wider world into the classroom.
Comenius School Partnerships, funded by the European Commission and managed in the UK by the British Council, allows schools and colleges to introduce or strengthen the European dimension in their curriculum. Part of the British Council’s work in promoting international links with schools, Comenius allows young learners to develop the skills and cultural awareness they need to become active global citizens, preparing them for life and work in the global society of the 21st century.
Project Leader and Teacher Mr. Hindhaugh said “We are absolutely delighted to be participating in such a project. It is a fantastic opportunity for staff and pupils to gain an insight into the culture, heritage and educational principles of fellow schools abroad. It has been a long and hard process to get to this position but we feel it is well worth it”
Over the coming months Christ Church School will be engaged in a number of projects, working alongside local museums and organising trips to France with their partner schools so they can share different working methods and educational principles.
British Council Lifelong Learning Programme Director Simon Williams said “We are delighted that Christ Church School will be working with partner schools across Europe. These types of partnerships not only help to build trust and understanding between people of different cultures, but also help to broaden pupils’ horizons and bring these subjects to life in the classroom”.
By working with schools, colleges and local authorities across Europe, UK schools can:
• Enhance their understanding of their role as citizens of a global community
• Share their work and ideas with pupils and teachers overseas
• Explore and explain their own community and culture, as well as other peoples’
• Extend and enhance classroom education
• Create important foundations for international understanding, cooperation, harmony and friendship