Supported by HSBC Global Education Trust and managed by the British Council, this programme aims to develop partnerships between areas of England and Wales and their Chinese counterparts – providing a strategic framework for school partnership within the authority. This will give schools a local network within which to share and exchange ideas as well as ensuring that partnerships are embedded in the schools and the wider community. Three partnerships will be funded each year for a period of three years. In order to apply for this funding you must have an existing partner in China. If you are looking for a partner region to make a strategic link with, please contact us separately.

Application

We will be accepting applications again in the summer term 2010. Deadline to be announced.

Application criteria

The area must

			wish to develop a strategic link for joint curriculum and joint professional development
			be committed to introducing Chinese into the curriculum or as an extra curricula activity, as well as increasing the presence of China in the curriculum over the three years of the project
			must have a letter of commitment from the Chinese partner region

Award

Funding will be awarded at the start of the academic year. A grant of £8,000 per year for three years will be awarded to each successful district or area. The applicant needs to demonstrate how they will make the partnership sustainable once this funding is no longer available. The second and third year of funding is contingent on the submission of an annual report at the end of each academic year. British Council and HSBC Global Education Trust may also ask for an interim report for publicity, promotion or other purposes.   

Districts and the schools involved in the partnership are eligible to apply to other funding sources (including British Council but not HSBC Global Education Trust) to support related activities.

The British Council will provide support and briefings for both partners giving information for visitors, advice and materials on how to make the most of teacher and Headteacher visits, on joint curriculum projects and other forms of financial support including language immersion courses for pupils.

*This could be a LA/region/group of schools