What is Connecting Classrooms?

Connecting Classrooms builds lasting partnerships between groups of schools in the UK and in over 60 countries around the world.

Through these partnerships, the programme develops understanding and trust between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future.

The aim of the programme is to achieve culturally inclusive schools. It was designed in consultation with education bodies, practitioners and policy makers around the world.

Connecting Classrooms is currently available in 20 countries across Europe. Partnerships will last for two to three years, initially. There is no joining fee, and co-coordinating bodies can apply for grants to support Connecting Classrooms activities.

What are the benefits?

Young people learn collaboratively with peers from other cultures and communities. The focus on inclusion helps develop the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens.

Teachers and school leaders are supported to develop international school partnerships and integrate them into school curricula and broader strategic plans. In this way, they enrich young people’s education, enhance their own professional development and contribute to the achievement of whole-school objectives.

Connecting Classrooms is supported by education authorities in each country which co-ordinate clusters of schools. This ensures that partnerships address local priorities, help to achieve core educational objectives, and are sustainable in the longer term.

What does the programme offer?

• Support to schools and education authorities to establish international partnerships
• Professional development for teachers and school leaders
• Training in leadership skills and cultural awareness for young people
• Recognition through International School Awards
• e-Twinning online platform to help develop and sustain partnerships.

Participants 2010–2011

We work in partnership with Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per la Lombardia, Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per il Lazio, MIUR (Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca).

There are 10 schools involved; each school is part of a large partnership cluster including schools from the UK and three other countries. Italy is working with schools from Bulgaria, Israel, Russia and Birmingham, for the UK.

LATEST EVENTS:

Teaching English through Literature
29 February 2012 - Rome, British Council
16 March - Milan, USR

Connecting Classrooms Youth Forum
18-20 March 2012, Moscow
An International young leader event on "tolerance" in school

Contact us

Filomena Casamassa
Relationship and Project Manager