Connecting Classrooms provides professional development for teachers, school leaders and other partnership co-ordinators to build capacity to introduce and integrate international working in schools.

Teachers, school leaders and international co-ordinators can take part in targeted training and get access to support materials to prepare them for working in an international context and help them develop partnerships that achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

The professional development offer within Connecting Classrooms includes:

• An International Co-ordinators' Course for teachers, school leaders and partnership co-ordinators; 'introductory' and 'advanced' courses are available.
• Support to help teachers, school leaders and international co-ordinators to meet the criteria for accreditation through the British Council International Teacher Award and British Council International Leader Award.
• A network of school partnership ambassadors working with all Connecting Classrooms schools.

Teachers and school leaders are also encouraged to visit partner schools during their participation in the programme. These visits provide valuable opportunities for face-to-face discussions and project planning. They also provide first-hand experiences of different approaches to teaching, leadership and learning in other countries. Educators usually return to their own schools with increased motivation, renewed enthusiasm, and a willingness to try different approaches and new ideas that lead to higher standards in teaching, leadership and learning.