Discover the power of global learning

Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme for schools. It aims to help young people worldwide develop the knowledge, skills and values they need for life and work in a global economy and is delivered by the British Council in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).  

In Northern Ireland, the programme was delivered in conjunction with the Centre for Global Education (CGE),  who supported the recruitment of schools and clusters wishing to engage in international school partnership projects and deliver CPD training packages for teachers on global learning.

*** The programme in Northern Ireland has now ended. ***

About the programme

Living in an increasingly interdependent and complex world, young people need to see the relevance of their learning, and develop skills and competences that will stay with them through life. From 2018-2021, Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning (CCGL) is offering a flexible menu of opportunities, to support pupils and teachers to connect with their peers across the world and to become critically engaged and active in the issues that are shaping their lives.

What does Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning offer?

  • Generous funding to facilitate international visits, events and training: up to £3,000 for one-to-one partnerships and £35,000 for cluster partnerships
  • Fully-funded professional learning: delivered in a way that suits you and your setting
  • Free support from local experts in Northern Ireland
  • Free classroom resources to support pupil projects themed around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Recognition leading to accreditation through the British Council International School Award.

Opportunities in Northern Ireland

Watch this short video from Dunclug Primary School who have partnered with Kindfund Hope Primary School in Kenya

Find an International Partner School

Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning (CCGL) helps schools make connections locally and globally. It offers an online partner-finding tool to help build international connections, as well as guidance and training to support schools to get the most from international school partnerships. Find out more about setting up a partnership with a school overseas through our British Council Partner Finding Website. 

Alternatively, contact schools@britishcouncil.org or the British Council Belfast office on 028 90 192 229/266 (email Satya.Roberts@britishcouncil.org/ Elaine.Nesbitt@britishcouncil.org)

To view the list of eligible partner countries click here.

Apply for a Grant for Reciprocal Teacher visits and Pupil Projects

CCGL also includes the opportunity to apply for grants for reciprocal teacher visits and collaborative pupil projects between partner schools in different countries. Schools can apply for grants individually with their overseas partner or as part of a wider cluster of schools, with one school appointing a teacher to take on the role of cluster lead. Click here for further information and guidance on the grant application process and deadlines.

Grant applications are open four times a year - upcoming deadlines include:

  • 8 February 2021
  • 12 April 2021
  • 14 June 2021

 

Training Day on ‘Making a Successful International School Partnership Grant Application’

A training day with subcover is available for teachers leading a cluster of schools in making a CCGL grant application and for teachers making an individual school application. Sub-cover is available to one teacher only per grant application, and will be paid after the application has been submitted.

Click here for further details

CCGL Professional Development for Teachers

To get the most from Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning, teachers and school leaders are fully supported with free, high-quality curriculum-focussed professional development opportunities. These training courses equip teachers and leaders with the skills and practices to integrate global learning themes into existing lessons.

The training has been written specifically to support the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and is offered at three levels of progression. Whether a cluster of schools or an individual school, you can select a CPD course to match your group’s priorities thanks to our range of flexible options.

Find out more about the training here 

For further Information about any of the above opportunities contact a School Advisor at the Centre for Global Education on 028 90 241 879 or email schools@centreforglobaleducation.com.

See also

External links

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