What is Connecting Classrooms?

Connecting Classrooms was a British Council global project which built lasting partnerships between groups of schools in the UK and in over 60 countries around the world. Through these partnerships, the programme developed understanding and trust between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future.

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

Connecting Classrooms was  available in 20 countries across Europe. We expected that 10 schools per country to be involved initially, with further schools joining in the second year.  Each school was part of a partnership cluster including one school from the UK and three schools from other countries.

Partnerships will last for two to three years, initially. The schools involved in this programme used the online e-Twinning platform in order to communicate, share advice, develop lasting partnerships and join projects. The participating schools received International School Awards in recognition of their achievements.

What were the benefits?

Young people learned collaboratively with peers from other cultures and communities. The focus on inclusion helped develop the cultural understanding and skills they needed to live and work as global citizens. Their level of responsibility and involvement in community and inclusion issues was also expected to increase as a result of their participation in this project. They became more confident about their communication skills and more tolerant of culturally diverse points of view.

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

Connecting Classrooms was supported by education authorities in each country which co-ordinated clusters of schools. This ensured that partnerships addressed local priorities, helped to achieve core educational objectives, and were sustainable in the longer term.

What did the programme offer?

			Support to schools and education authorities to establish international partnerships
			Young leaders training – seminars for pupils in the participating schools
			Professional development for teachers and school leaders
			Recognition through International School Awards
			Connecting Classrooms online to help develop and sustain partnerships.

Connecting Classrooms in Romania

In Romania Connecting Classrooms was developed in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sport. The project involved ten schools, five from Arad county and five from Suceava county. The schools worked in partnership with 30 schools in Hungary, France and the UK-Wales (10 in each). The topic of their project was ‘Olympic Values –  Excellence for all expressed through sport and creative arts as a way towards inclusion.’

Young Leaders Training (Gura Humorului, 15-17 December 2011)

Together with the School Inspectorate in Suceava we organised a workshop on training 60 students aged 13-17, from Suceava and Arad counties. The session continued  the Young Leaders Training programme.

For more information about Connecting Classrooms, please contact Ruxandra Popovici, Project Manager: ruxandra.popovici@britishcouncil.ro.