Where are we now with planning for international engagement?
Starting the Journey Building on
Expanding Activities and Benefits
Achievements
There is a growing
understanding of the
positive contribution
that an international
dimension can bring to
raising attainment,
increasing aspirations
and enhancing the skills
and knowledge of
learners and enhance
the 1+2 approach to
language learning.
This may not be shown
in any class teacher’s
plan until we gather
more information.
At least one of our
teachers participates in
professional discussions
with staff from other
schools
who
have
already been involved
with
international
partnerships.
Minutes of staff meetings
show that there have
been professional
discussions about the
benefits of international
engagement.
At least one teacher has
this in their forward plan.
They have identified
particular Experiences
and Outcomes suitable
for their class perhaps
including partnership
with a school abroad.
We have asked for advice
from our Local Authority
who has a member of
staff with experience in
taking forward
International
Engagement.
We are keen to learn
about practice in other
schools, centres and
services and engage with
organisations to support
the development of our
work in this area.
Our School Improvement Plan details our
International engagement. The SMT is
fully supportive of the plan and has
allocated time and resources to this area.
A Policy on International Engagement
has been written and most staff
understand it and use it to guide decision
making and improvement planning.
An enthusiastic member of staff is leading
this with support from others who have
formed a committee.
There is a separate, detailed plan for
partnerships with schools abroad which
includes roles and responsibilities,
activities to be undertaken by learners
and staff, timescales, budget and
expected outcomes.
Learners and parents have been given
information about partnership projects,
have had the opportunity to have input
into the plan and are broadly supportive
of it. There is some evidence that pupils
are excited and enthusiastic about the
project and are motivated to make
contact with their peers abroad.
Achieving High Quality Outcomes
International Engagement forms an integral part of the
work we do to improve the quality of learning and
teaching in our school and staff, parents and the wider
community understand this. It is used to guide decision
making and improvement planning. The international
partnership involves several members of staff who are
enthusiastic about the project. Staff and pupils have
travelled abroad and the school has hosted visits from
the partner school(s). Joint planning with associated
schools is leading to wider interest in forming
international partnerships.
The forward plans of a large number of the class
teachers in our school clearly identify how their class/
subject area contribute to a partnership. We have
identified relevant Experiences and Outcomes to meet
the needs of learners.
Our staff are enthusiastic about the partnership and
some friendships have been created between staff in
the partnership schools. There is evidence of staff
development in terms of leadership skills, pedagogy or
knowledge.
Staff work productively as a cross – curricular/ multi –
stage team on a larger number of activities involving
several different areas of the curriculum/secondary
departments.