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, encouraging school children to learn and accept different cultures. The programme was designed in consultation with education bodies, practitioners and policy makers around the world.

Connecting Classrooms has already connected children and teachers from 10 Ukrainian schools with partner schools in Malta, Cyprus and the UK. Over 300 schools all around Europe are taking part in the programme. There is no joining fee.

 
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 the Ministry of Science and Education, Youth and Sport of Ukraine and education authorities in other countries. 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.

Project participants actively explore the global citizenship topic. Ukrainians and their partner schools constantly share information about the culture and traditions of the countries which they are from in a specially developed online platform.

			International Coordinators' Course in Cyprus In March 2011, ten Ukrainian teachers attended the International Coordinators’ course in Cyprus where they planned the project in their countries, had project management training and discussed their plans with teachers from other countries. Participants also visited Cypriot schools and learned about the educational system in Cyprus.
			Young Leaders' Training In February–March 2011 over 100 Ukrainian students participated in a two-day training course where they were trained in leadership, cultural awareness and global citizenship. Meeting each other gave students the opportunity to plan the school projects for the next academic year.

 

The following 10 schools were participants of the first year of the Connecting Classrooms programme:

			Kyiv Specialist School 155 Principal: George Kostylov
			Lubny Specialist School 6 Principal: Svitlana Kochergina
			Luhansk specialist school-collegium 36 Principal: Oleksiy Fomin
			Lviv Gymnasia ‘Prestyzh’ Principal: Bogdan Voloshyn
			Melitopol Secondary School 16 Principal: Svitlana Kovpak
			Rivne Specialist School 15 Principal: Svitlana Istomina
			Simferopol Gymnasia 9 Principal: Tetyana Koval
			Smila Science and Mathematics Specialist High School Principal: Sofia Gnidaia
			Starokostiantyniv Gymnasia Principal: Larysa Zhurybida
			Vinnytsia Secondary School-Gymnasia 30 Principal: Oleksiy Ternovoy

Contact us

Maria Zakharova
Partnerships and Projects Manager

British Council
4/12 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street
Kyiv 04070
Telephone +380 44 490 5600
Fax +380 44 490 5605
Maria.Zakharova@britishcouncil.org.ua