International School Award (ISA) and Connecting Classroom by British Council
Introduction to British Council:
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities for different countries.
The purpose of this is to build trust and understanding between people worldwide by enabling them to share ideas and knowledge. They call this cultural relations.
The British Council do this through work in Education and Society, English, Arts and Exams.
What is Connecting Class Room Programme :
A Connecting Classroom is a global education programme, in partnership with DFID, which offers resources for school partnerships, professional development for teachers and head teachers, and the opportunity to share best practice with national and international schools around the world.
Connecting Classroom in Pakistan:
Connecting Classrooms has been running since 2007 in Pakistan, focusing on helping young people to develop the knowledge, skills and values to live and work in a globalised economy.
The programme is in 3rd phase (2015-2017), and the 4th phase of the programme is start from 2018-2020.
The programme has been implemented with all Provincial Education Ministries and a large number of private partner schools.
What is International School Award:
The International School Award is awarded to schools that showed a commitment to developing global citizens by embedding internationalism throughout the ethos and curriculum of the school through SDGs based activities.
Back Ground of ISA :
It Started in 1999, Covers 3 – 18 age range
20,000+ schools involved
10,000 fully accredited
A Global Programme :
Success of ISA resulted in decision to offer the programme in more counties as a key component of the global Connecting Classrooms Programme.
ISA is now active in 25 countries including:
► Bangladesh ► Pakistan ► Nepal
► Vietnam ► Taiwan ► Nigeria
► Poland ► Greece ► Jamaica
► Bahrain ► Egypt ► Saudi Arabia
Over 450 ISA winner schools in
Pakistan.
The Sustainable Development Goals:
SDGs :The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:
Adopted by world leaders in September 2015
Governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 goals.
SDG4 is regarded as one of the ‘enabling’ goals:
“ Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”
There is an annual report to measure the success in reaching these goals. Overall in education we are 50 years behind schedule ☹
The SDGs in themes:
Dignity: end poverty and fight inequality
SDGS 1 and 5
People : ensure healthy lives, knowledge, and the inclusion of women and children
SDGs 2, 3 and 4
Planet: protect our ecosystems for all societies and our children
SDGs 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15
Partnership: catalyse global solidarity for sustainable development
SDG 17
Justice: promote safe and peaceful societies, and strong institutions
SDG 16
Prosperity: grow a strong, inclusive and transformative economy
SDGs 7,8, 9, 10 and 11
why do we want to make partnerships with schools from around the world?
what benefits would this bring to our school?
What are The Benefits of ISA?
- It's provide Opportunity to develop, improve and learn from new colleagues around the world.
- Opportunity to promote positive image of Pakistan and share our good practices, Exposes educators to new practices and perspectives.
- Understanding and promotion of SDGs
- National and International Partnerships, Enriched curriculum and a global dimension and Champion Ambassadors.
- Use of ISA logo for three years.
- Certificate and ISA poster for winner schools.
- Opportunity to share your work at ISA events.
ISA Types:
- Foundation certificate
- Preparation for international work
- Survey of existing international work
- One curriculum-based activity
- Intermediate certificate
International Coordinator
International policy
Three curriculum-based activity ( 1 with international partner)
Full award
Experienced in international work
Activities are embedded across the school and curriculum
Embedding international work
Global citizenship
Enriching education
International school ethos
How to Apply for full award :
- Conducted an audit of international activity already taking place in school.
- Appointed an international co-ordinator or a team or co-ordinators leading ISA in their schools.
- Write an International Policy .
- Approved Action Plan.
- Worked with partner schools nationally and internationally.
- Completed at least seven activities. At least three of the seven activities should be completed in collaboration with international partner schools. Remaining four activities must be completed with national partner schools.
Thematic Areas:
Language activity, Culture, Peace and Harmony, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths), Environment.
Evaluation Forms:
Completed a set of evaluation forms for parents, pupils, teachers and school visitors for all activities providing individual reflection on the collaborative activities undertaken.
Compiled the portfolio with all documents and submitted to the British Council.
Activities Requirements:
- Curriculum based activities
- SDGs
- Working with partner schools
- International dimension (looking
80% of subjects involved
Majority of pupils involved
Majority of classes involved
Year round activity (05 months min)
Essential Aspects of an ISA Activity:
- There should be clear description of the activity along with the subjects covered mentioned.
- Period / duration of the activity must be mentioned.
- The number of students and classes taking part in the activity should be clearly mentioned.
- You should consider, How international dimension embedded into the activity.
- The activity should be clearly linked with one or more sustainable development goals.
- There should be a clear plan for execution of the activity.
- You should have at least three sub activities for each activity.
- You should have a back-up plan in case a partner school link fails.
- You should consider, Are there any related resources / template projects on Schools Online?
- Where all do you need to look for help/ resources.
- Should have a plan on how you’re going to evaluate this activity.
A good Partnership:
A good partnership is sustainable, soundly managed, motivates staff and young people alike, is supported by senior management, involves the wider school community, is integrated into the curriculum, strategically planned, addresses global and real issues relevant to local communities, and contributes to key competence development of educators and young people.
International Coordinator:
What does an international coordinator do?
Arrange/manage/oversee ISA activities.
Complete the documentation for ISA as per the requirements.
Work with senior management and teachers to develop school’s international policy.
Develop action plan in collaboration with teachers.
Lead of developing school partnerships at national and international level.
Ensure that activities are promoted inside and outside the school.
Do evaluation (impact on students, teachers and school).
Skills Required:
- Project management
- Financial management
- Influencing people/communication skills
- Motivating staff and students
- Intercultural awareness
- Language skills
- Presentation skills
- Arranging and leading meetings
- Ability to evaluate
Action Plan:
Details of all the activities planned
Submitted to British Council for
approval
Following are required;
- Details of School
- In-country partners
- International partners
- Activity details
Other Thematic Areas:
Please explore following thematic areas in your action plans:
- Culture (cultural exposure, my city/town, our geography, music, culture, arts, food etc.)
- Environment (plantation, earth hour, water conservation, deforestation, pollution, climate change etc.)
- STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
(Renewable energy, Infectious diseases, Weathers, School meals, how technology has helped us, World currencies, Engineering wonders of the world etc.)
- Peace and Harmony (Harmony Day, Peace Day, Tolerance, Conflict resolution, Diversity, Rights for everyone, Living together, Refugees etc.)
Activity Detail Sheet:
What is an impact report?
Details of the activity along with impact report.
Avoid generic statements for impact,
Impact on students, teachers and school
Template.
Evidences and Feedback Forms:
“the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid”
What constitutes an evidence?
How to record evidence?
For each activity, record feedback from;
- Parent
- Teacher
- Pupil
- Visitor
How to Organise Your Portfolio?
- Contents
- Introduction and School background
- Audit of international activity
- International coordinator job description
- International policy
- Action plan
- Impact Evaluation
- Individual activity detailed sheet
- Evidences
- Evidences from your school (pictures, presentation, artwork, letters from students, videos, CDs, invitation card, circulars, newsletters, newspaper clippings etc.)
- Evidences from partner school (pictures, presentation, artwork, letters from students, videos, CDs, invitation card, circulars, newsletters, newspaper clippings etc.)
- Correspondence and activity sharing with partner school along with feedback report
- Evaluation Forms (Parent, Teacher, Visitor, Student)
- Sample of student evaluation (MCQs, Questionnaire, Quiz, Fill in the blanks, column matching, labelling etc.
- Any additional material
- Evidences on CD/DVD/USB
MUST be submitted in British Council prescribed portfolio pack
Contact :
Master Trainer Name
Master Trainer Mobile
Master Trainer Email Address
What do you think about this, is it helpful or need more assistance? let us know in comment section.
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