Each UK cluster of schools that participates in Connecting Classrooms needs to have:

			Support from a strategic body, which is usually the local authority or federation of schools* - To confirm this support the application form must be signed by an appropriate representative - the Director of Children's Services (or equivalent, or nominee), or the head of the federation of schools. In some cases it may be more appropriate for an affiliated body like the local Youth Sport Trust or Specialist Schools and Academies Trust to fulfil this role, in which case the head of this organisation must sign the declaration.
			A named partnership co-ordinator* - to complete the application and co-ordinate all the UK schools in the partnership. This is usually an official from the supporting body (as above). Alternatively, it could be an official from another organisation that is willing to act as a co-ordinating body, or an individual from the lead school in the cluster.
			Connecting Classrooms co-ordinators - a named person from each school to manage the project in their school.

These roles are described in more detail below.

*Update, July 2011: Please note that for the current application round in the UK we are piloting a new approach to the management and development of Connecting Classrooms partnerships, in which we are no longer asking for a local authority, federation or other organisation to support or co-ordinate clusters of schools in the UK. For this application round we are asking for an appropriate member of staff from one of the schools in the cluster to act as the partnership co-ordinator, or someone from a local authority/feredation/other appropriate organisation if they are willing to fulfil this role. The roles outlined below still apply to all Connecting Classrooms partnerships that are already operating. For more information on roles and responsibilities for new applicants to the programme, please see 'How to get involved', click on the links to the countries for which we are currently recruiting UK schools, and read the Application Guidelines.

Supporting body

Each cluster of schools in the UK must be supported by a strategic body - usually the local authority or federation of schools – and confirmation of this support is requested on the application form. By supporting schools involved in Connecting Classrooms, the local authority, federation of schools, or other affiliated body is committing to:

			Developing a strategic link, initiated and supported by the British Council, with the equivalent supporting body in the partner country – usually a district education office or ministry of education
			Recognising that international partnerships contribute to the fulfilment of the local Children’s Plan (if applicable) and/or other strategic priorities
			Supporting their schools in their work towards the Intermediate/Full International School Award – and, where possible, encouraging more schools in the local authority to sign up
			Acting as a point of contact for the supporting body in the partner country, and for the British Council
			Attending meetings and events - such as the contact seminar and partnership meetings.

Co-ordinating body / partnership co-ordinator

Each cluster of UK schools must also be co-ordinated by a partnership co-ordinator. Ideally, this person is based in the supporting local authority or federation of schools. Alternatively, if the local authority/federation of schools is unable to fulfil this role, the partnership co-ordinator can be an official from another organisation that is willing to co-ordinate the cluster - such as the local Youth Sport Trust, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (in England), or an individual from the lead school in the cluster.

Please note that if the co-ordinating body is not the local authority or federation of schools, the partnership co-ordinator will still need to get confirmation from the local authority/federation that they will support the partnership in order to complete the application. However, we recognise that this may not be possible in all instances - in which case the co-ordinating body can fulfil the role of the supporting body and confirm this support in Section D of the application form.

The partnership co-ordinator will be expected to:

			Co-ordinate the involvement of the UK side of the partnership – including bringing together a group of schools that are ready and willing to participate in the programme, and co-ordinating the application and subsequent annual partnership plans and budgets
			Manage any grant funding from the British Council for the co-ordinating body and participating schools
			Arrange briefings and meetings with schools
			Liaise with partnership co-ordinators in the other countries in the partnership
			Be the main point of contact for the British Council
			Be responsible for evaluating the partnership and submitting an annual financial and narrative report
			Ensure that the wider local authority/federation of schools is kept informed and up-to-date regarding the partnership, if they are not also the co-ordinating body
			Carry out additional duties specified in the application information on the Connecting Classrooms website and the application form at the time of recruitment

In return, the partnership co-ordinator can benefit from the professional development opportunities available through Connecting Classrooms, including the International Co-ordinators' Course, and participate in facilitated events such as the contact seminar. In some cases, the partnership co-ordinator can also work towards the British Council International Leader Award.

For more information about contacts in local authorities/federations of schools and other organisations that can co-ordinate Connecting Classrooms partnerships, visit British Council Schools Online.

Connecting Classrooms co-ordinators

Each school in a UK cluster must also identify a Connecting Classrooms co-ordinator, who will be expected to:

			Register their school for the Foundation level International School Award (as a minimum) before the application to Connecting Classrooms is submitted
			Co-ordinate the Connecting Classrooms project in their school, including helping the school to work towards the Intermediate and/or Full International School Award
			Build a team to manage and deliver the project within their school
			Manage any grant funding that is allocated to their school as a portion of the total grant provided to the UK cluster
			Attend meetings organised by the partnership co-ordinator from the co-ordinating body
			Embed the project activities in school life
			Liaise with Connecting Classrooms co-ordinators in the other schools in the cluster - and in the international partner schools - to plan, deliver and evaluate projects
			Carry out additional duties specified in the application information on the Connecting Classrooms website and the application form at the time of recruitment

Connecting Classrooms co-ordinators and other teachers and school leaders in each school will also benefit from the professional development opportunities offered by the programme.