The Welsh Government agreed definition of a Professional Learning Community is:
...a group of practitioners working together using a structured process of enquiry to focus on a specific area of their teaching to improve learner outcomes and so raise school standards.
They need to:
• Have the responsibility to try new learning and teaching strategies in order to extend their own professional development and learning.
• Enquire as a group in order to generate new professional knowledge and understanding.
• Implement the most effective learning and teaching solutions.
International Professional Learning Communities (IPLC) directly follow the PLC methodology. They add an international dimension by generating self sustaining links between practitioners and schools in Wales and other countries while providing a mechanism for Welsh teachers to address their priority issues and implement findings through teaching methods.
The current objectives of the IPLC project mirror the Welsh Government objectives of:
•Numeracy
•Literacy
•Reducing the impact of poverty on educational attainment.
Grants of up to £12,000 for a cluster of at least 6 teachers, (each representing a different school) are available.
Clusters applying for funding can either choose their own theme and destination or opt to apply for one of the programmes being organised by the British Council.
For the 2012-2013 academic year, the British Council is working with its offices and partners overseas to create a bespoke programme of work for IPLCs focussing on Numeracy skills development (India) and Reducing the impact of poverty on educational attainment (USA).
While agendas for both visits are not yet finalised we are inviting clusters to apply to take part in both. Should you wish to do so, please indicate this in sections 3 and 4.1.
Applicants wishing to develop an IPLC working on a different subject area or in other countries can do so but must complete all sections of the application.
Applications must be word processed. They must be e mailed to iepwales@britishcouncil.org
Please submit by 17:00 on 26/10/2012.
Dates to be confirmed
This bespoke one week visit, based in Chicago, will potentially work with the Chicago Public Schools and the Academy of Urban School Leadership to focus on School Management and Turnaround. Activities will include classroom observations, meetings with school-based teams such as student development teams as well as the Office of School Improvement. Other topics for discussion could include integration of the community into the school and student needs for special education.
Dates to be confirmed
This bespoke one week visit, based in Chennai, will visit both schools which excel in numeracy and the Mathematical Institute of Higher Education. Potential visits with Ministerial officials, schools and practitioners will provide an opportunity for the IPLC to gather research and experience in learning and teaching strategies.
Further information will be published here over the coming weeks as the programmes develop.
Clusters of six to eight schools
‘This project is part of the International Educational Programme (IEP) and is funded by the Welsh Government and implemented by the British Council. It covers primary, further education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in a formal and non-formal capacity, to deliver a wide range of international educational opportunities for the benefit of professionals and young people in Wales.’
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