Headteacher & National College Regional Leader

Why would you recommend registering with eTwinning?

The access to potential partners is very good and the tools available to develop partnerships are both creative and practical. Once registered access to training and professional development opportunities make the eTwinning extremely good value and the source of a million and one resources.

What benefits has running an international link through ICT brought to your school?

We have recently been through the dreaded Ofsted process under the new framework – our work that has developed out of eTwinning was a huge contributory factor in us gaining a particularly good report in relation to ICT, community cohesion, MfL and the quality of our curriculum. We have also benefited from extensive inset, both at school and abroad, that has allowed many of our teachers to grow professionally. In addition our pupils see themselves as global citizens with ICT skills that allow them to discover the world through the web!

Specialist areas:

My role is mainly strategic – in that I look to the future and map out our way of developing skills and attributes that will allow our children to succeed at high levels. However, I also have skills in the use of digital media to enhance teaching and learning. We are seeking the Full ISA award this year and are at the forefront of developing the new primary curriculum. I have participated actively in the Rose review and am currently participating in the National College/QCDA workshop events as a facilitator

Local Authority Area: Southend-on-Sea UA

Deputy Head, St Luke's School

I am the Deputy Head of a large secondary Special School in Hertfordhire and a fervent advocate of the benefits of ICT in helping teachers teach and pupils learn. The opportunities that European Links offer pupils in term of real-life learning through ICT are amazing. My School has been involved in a number of successful European and International Projects and were awarded the eTwinning Quality Mark as well as being runners up in the Annual eTwinning Awards.

Specialist areas:

I coordinate and support the use of the flashmeeting video conferencing tool for eTwinning school partnerships.

Local Authority Area: Hertfordshire

MFL / International Co-ordinator, Classroom Teacher

Why would you recommend registering with eTwinning?

eTwinning is a great way to meet teachers from all around Europe to share practises and ideas. It links children and enables them to gain an awareness of children in other countries.

What benefits has running an international link through ICT brought to your school?

A growing awareness that we have much in common with people from other countries and the ability to be interested in and identify with the differences in cultures. The children in my class (6-7 year olds) were amazed to discover that other children in Europe dressed the same as us.

Specialist areas:

ISA 2009, Primary MFL (French)

Local Authority Area: Essex

Holywell Primary School

I am a Primary School Teacher in Hertfordshire and I am actively involved in two eTwinning projects involving schools in France, Spain and Hungary.  Experienced in using web conferencing systems such as Flashmeeting.

Local Authority Area: Hertfordshire

Why would you recommend registering with eTwinning?

eTwinning has enabled all pupils and teachers to participate in an international project. The eTwinning network is easy to access, enabling partnerships to be formed and innovative projects to be developed. For teachers, it is a low-cost professional development opportunity, which reaps personal and pupil benefits.

What benefits has running an international link through ICT brought to your school?

We have been able to use a range of ICT to develop exciting projects within the context of our curriculum. Pupils and teachers have motivated to be creative and become more global in their thinking. I have been delighted to receive 2 UK eTwinning Awards and European eTwinning Quality Awards for projects, ‘The Red Balloon’ and ‘Erik The Viking’. Each project has been relatively simple in concept but high in value of process and outcome.

Specialist areas:

PowerPoint; PhotoStory; Skype; Use of the eTwinning website; The International School Award;  Linking eTwinning to School Leadership and Management – SIDP, SEF, OFSTED, Community Cohesion

Local Authority Area: Norfolk