"I think children need to learn about the world and there's no better way of doing that than to work with other countries. There are haves and have-nots in this world and I think that it's important that the haves appreciate the difficulties faced by the have-nots. Our students are incredibly surprised at how they may be separated from other children by thousands of miles but they share the same dreams and aspirations."
Martin Heathcoate, Teacher, Ernest Bevin College, London,UK
"We had many differences but also were the same in many ways. They like to play football and hang out with their friends. Some even had play stations!. I would love the opportunity to welcome students from Freetown over here. If I got the chance to go there I would jump at it."
Cameron (year 10) following a video conference with children in Sierra Leone
"This programme is about building friendship and learning from one another. It will be invaluable to our teachers to exchange notes on curriculums and teaching methods, and it will motivate our children to work harder"Felix Ouma,Headteacher, Opande School, Kisumu, Kenya
"Most young people are aware of the key global issues facing us today such as climate change or the ‘make poverty history' campaign. But here at The Beaconsfield School we want to really interact with a different community to see what we can learn from each other. Students at Beaconsfield are looking forward to working with their Malawian counterparts on solutions to common problems. We see this school linking programme as an opportunity to change the mind set of our whole organisation. Of course it will give us new curriculum opportunities but we want our international link to permeate all that we do so that our students develop international perspectives and interests in their role as global citizens. The links are already established, which makes Plan's programme sustainable and formalized. Also, the support resources have been written by teachers for teachers and are excellent. Schools are given a solid foundation but the flexibility to explore their links in ways that suit,"
Alex Russell, The Beaconsfield School, Wattleton Road, Buckinghamshire
"At my previous school, before joining the GA, I was involved in a link with a school in Makunduchi, Zanzibar. John Errington, the coordinator, established a wonderful partnership involving reciprocal student visits, curriculum innovation and extended staff CPD involving teachers from Zanzibar staying with teachers at our school. The impact on students and teachers has been tremendous.
When a partnership is used effectively within the school's programmes of study it enables students of all ages to develop a deep understanding of some of the fundamental concepts underpinning geography; such as place, space and scale, interdependence, environmental interaction and sustainable development and cultural understanding and diversity. The three strands of citizenship identified by the Crick Report (QCA, 1998) are also addressed. Working to develop more informed and aware students contributes to Political literacy, a sensitivity to values of other students in other countries helps build Social and Moral responsibility and exploring responsible actions at a range of scales encourages Community Involvement. For some students it is truly a life changing experience and you can't get a better reward than that as a teacher."
John Lyon, Programme Director, Geography Association
