Connecting Classrooms provides professional development for teachers, school leaders and partnership co-ordinators in local authorities (or other co-ordinating bodies), to build capacity to introduce and integrate international working in schools.

Teachers, school leaders and partnership co-ordinators receive targeted training and 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.

We are currently developing the full professional development offer within Connecting Classrooms and are running pilots of particular projects and activities in different regions of the world this year. By mid-2009, when the successful pilot schemes are rolled out globally, we anticipate that the professional development element of the programme will include:

			An International Co-ordinators Course for teachers, school leaders and partnership co-ordinators in local authorities (or equivalent bodies)
			A pack of materials to help prepare schools and local authorities/co-ordinating bodies to participate in and co-ordinate international partnerships
			Support to help teachers, school leaders and partnership co-ordinators to meet the criteria for accreditation through the new Connecting Classrooms award schemes – the International Teacher Award and 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. These visits provide valuable opportunities for face-to-face discussion 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.