Autumn 2009 Newsletter
Welcome to Lancashire Global Education Centre's autumn 2009 e-newsletter! This issue:
LGEC Updates
1. Welcome to new staff
2. School Linking in Diversity Education (SLIDE)
3. LENS: supporting Lancashire school clusters
4. Global-Wise After School Clubs
5. Engaging The Disengaged project
6. Sign up for LGEC’s new Sustainable Skills Newsletter
7. Indian Travels: Beyond the school visit
Training and Events
8. Philosophy For Children level 1. 9-10th November 2009, Burnley
9. Young People and Climate Change – Oxfam’s Active Global Citizenship Conference 2009
10. Training and Events: TIDE Training Events and Conference
News and Campaigns
11. A Few Small Steps in Manchester
12. DfID Consultation
13. Black History Month
14. Global Dimensions Calendar
15. Jubilee Debt Campaign
Resources
16. Get Global
17. Adinkra
18. Out of Sight – new pack to combat racism towards Gypsy Roma Travellers
Useful Websites
19. Action Aid
20. Developments – free quarterly magazine from DfID
21. Global Footprints
22. Green Flag Schools
23. Climate Squad
Final News Updates
24. International Community Exchange
25. Global Youth Volunteering Opportunities with Platform 2
1. LGEC Updates: Welcome to new staff
LGEC is pleased to welcome two new staff, who have recently joined us. Brian Johnson is working as the Sustainable Development in Further Education Co-ordinator during Vicky Hutchinson’s maternity leave. We have also been joined by Catherine Naylor, who will be working as a Primary Schools Project Co-ordinator. We also say our fairwell to Marjorie Drake who recently retired after being with LGEC for 26 years and wish her all the best for the future.
2. LGEC Updates: School Linking in Diversity Education (SLIDE)
SLIDE has been successful once again in receiving funding from Lancashire County Council to help support schools across Lancashire in establishing new, and embedding existing, local school links. Cluster meetings will be held to support teachers already involved in the project. Time will be spent sharing good models of practice, reflecting on progress and planning next steps. Ten new schools are currently being recruited. They will receive a package of support that will include initial training, dealing with controversial issues training and the opportunity to attend an accredited Level 1 Philosophy for children (P4C) course as well as a contribution towards linking costs.
For more information: email sarah.hetherington@lgec.org.uk
3. LGEC Updates: North West Global Education Network in Lancashire
School visits are under way for the newly recruited cluster of schools in Blackburn. These visits aim to capture where the schools are currently in terms of embedding the Global Dimension and plan what gaps need addressing. Already this cluster has expanded from the original 4 schools that met in July to 5! Meanwhile the Preston cluster will be meeting again in September to support each other in their planning of global school events. The meeting will also include a tour round Our Lady and St Gerard’s R.C. Primary School, which is kindly hosting the meeting.
For more information: email sarah.hetherington@lgec.org.uk
4. LGEC Updates: Global-Wise After School Clubs
The first 3 schools in this pilot project have been recruited and visits are being arranged. The training course for teaching assistants will take place later in the autumn term. They will take part in some activities to capture their own understanding and awareness of the Global Dimension before going on to learn how to run a global after-school club for Key Stage 2 children. The clubs should be up and running in the spring term.
For more information: email Catherine.naylor@lgec.org.uk
5. LGEC Updates: Engaging The Disengaged project
The Engaging the Disengaged project is now at the start of its last year following a busy time last year in which teachers were supported in running global dimension, participatory and school linking activities with their pupils. This autumn term will include the continuation of participatory global dimension based activities run by the teachers within project schools. Support for this will be provided via a working group meeting and places on a P4C Level 1 training course being run by LGEC. Teachers and senior management at schools will also be supported in spreading the knowledge and skills they have gained on the project so far to their colleagues in other year groups within their schools.
For more information on this project and if you are interested in your school being involved in similar future projects contact Alosa Kaimacuata at LGEC or e-mail alosa.kaimacuata@lgec.org.uk
6. LGEC Updates: Sign up for LGEC’s new Sustainable Skills Newsletter
This autumn, LGEC will launch its new ‘Sustainable Skills’ e-newsletter for further education tutors, administrators, and facilities managers, and anyone else interested in sustainable development and the FE sector. The newsletter will include updates on LGEC’s three-year ‘Sustainable Skills’ project, which is working to embed sustainable development in vocational courses at partner colleges in the North West. Also included in the newsletter will be useful resources, websites, conference information, and more. The newsletter will also keep you up to date on LGEC’s new FE sustainable development network, which will kick off in early 2010 with its inaugural meeting.
To be sure you receive the ‘Sustainable Skills’ newsletter, update your LGEC newsletter preferences to include further education as one of your interests.
7. LGEC Updates: Indian Travels: Beyond the school visit
In our July Newsletter, former staff member Marjorie Drake wrote about her visit to SHAMS National school in Uttar Pradesh, India, in February 2009, together with LGEC’s Chair Seetha Shearer, to accompany Beverley Grime, head teacher of St Hilda’s CE primary school in Carleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, which is developing its link with Shams.
While the schoolwork was the primary purpose of the visit, there was so much more to it than that. Other events in the visit included a fascinating, and spontaneous, tour of the local fields; visits to local families and a tour of some of the sights of India. To read the full account of the Indian travels, click here.
8. Training and Events: Philosophy For Children level 1. 9-10th November 2009, Burnley
LGEC are offering a two-day Philosophy For Children level 1 training course, fully accredited by SAPERE and will be held at the Burnley and Pendle Faith Centre in Burnley on November 9-10. This training event is aimed at both primary and secondary teachers, and costs £200.
Through active workshops participants will:
· learn practical ways of developing good thinking, questioning and communication skills in the learning environment
· discover how to develop the potential of their class as a 'community of philosophical enquiry'
· have experience of P4C as a participant, and be able to reflect on its process and effects
Please note: places are limited and booking is essential. To book your place telephone Matthew Beck on 01772 252299 or email training@lgec.org.uk (stating your name, contact details, school details and whether you have any special dietary requirements)
9. Training and Events: Young People & Climate Change – Oxfam’s Active Global Citizenship Conference 2009
On October 19, Oxfam is hosting a regional conference in Manchester for young people who are inviting 25 schools across the North of England to get involved. Each school may bring up to 4 young delegates and 1 teacher. Attendance is free of charge.
All delegates will have the opportunity to participate in 4 workshops on the following topics:
· Understanding the issues – Meet the Oxfam staff working in developing countries affected by climate change
· Campaigning to get what you want – How to run a successful climate change campaign
· Inspiring action in your school and community – Developing an action plan to take back to your local community.
· Influencing decision makers – What’s the best way to influence those in power?
To find out more and to book a place, contact: Jo-Anne Witcombe, Regional Youth and Schools Campaigner on 0161 234 2793 or 07786660497 or email her at jwitcombe@oxfam.org.uk
10. Training and Events: TIDE Training Events and Conference
Tide Global Learning (based in Birmingham) are offering the following events:
· Developing a Sustainable School – for those taking a lead role in Primary Schools (deadline 16 October 2009)
· Global Learning Through Music & Dance – a workshop for primary schools taking place on Tuesday, 24 November, covering Indian Dance and Calypso composition
· Primary Global Learning Conference – this takes place on 30 March, 2010. It will highlight recent innovative practice from primary schools in response to developments in the curriculum, and raise questions about how to effectively meet learners’ needs in a changing global context.
For further details, contact TIDE at wmc@tidec.org or check details from their website at http://www.tidec.org/CPD/courses.html
11. News and Campaigns: A Few Small Steps in Manchester
Action for Sustainable Living’s innovative schools programme, A Few Small Steps (AFSS), is launching across Greater Manchester and around the North West this September.
AFSS is delivered by 'Sustainability Mentors', Education Officers and trained volunteers. Schools signing up to the project will be provided with a twelve-month support package helping staff and students to reduce energy consumption, increase recycling rates and improve their school’s food culture.
As well as saving money on bills and improving Ofsted reports AFSS can help schools to advance reporting on Every Child Matters, Healthy Schools, Eco-schools, Extended Services, School Travel Plans, Pupil & Parental Voice and more.
AFSS delivers classroom workshops, assemblies, staff training, student planning meetings and technical monitoring & evaluation support.
For more information, please visit: www.afsl.org.uk
12. News and Campaigns: DfID Consultation
The Department for International Development has released documents concerning its future development awareness work. We would highly encourage teachers and other education professionals to respond to the review directly to DfID. For further information, please see http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Consultations under ‘Open Consultations’ and ‘Building support for development in the UK’.
13. News and Campaigns: Black History Month
Black History Month is held every October in Britain. The aims are to:
· Promote knowledge of the Black History, Cultural and Heritage
· Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society
· Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage.
Further information is available at http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/index.html
As part of Black History Week, Sahara in Preston are arranging a Black History Celebration and Buffet at Preston Minster on 20 October, from 5.30pm until 8.30pm. Anyone interested in attending can call Glenys on 01772 702090 or email sahara.inpreston@btinternet.com
14. News and Campaigns: Global Dimensions Calendar
The Global Dimension website has compiled a calendar of campaigns and events to help plan an assembly, highlight global themes for your lessons or support whole school global activity. Forthcoming events include:
16 October World Food Day
17 October International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
18 October One World Week
16 November International Education Week
1 December World AIDS Day
5 December International Volunteer Day
10 December Human Rights Day
To find out more dates and access examples of what other schools are doing, visit www.globaldimension.org.uk/calendar
15. News and Campaigns: Jubilee Debt Campaign
Over the coming months, Jubilee Debt Campaign has a range of actions planned. On 16-18 October, they will be joining with others to take place in The Great Persuasion, where campaigners to lobby every MP in the country about global poverty. From 16-21 November, a Climate Justice Speaker Tour is planned. For more information, see www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/events
16. Resources: Get Global
This is an innovative and colourful teacher's guide to active global citizenship. A range of innovative and participatory activities promote a skills-based approach rather than a content-based approach, so they can be used within different subject areas and with all ages. The resource comprises a Teacher’s Guide with worksheets and a video. Price £15 available at http://www.lgec.org.uk/main/publications/
17. Resources: Adinkra
This unique cross-curricular resource provides a step-by-step guide, enabling teachers to take children through a fascinating collaborative project, and create a symbol celebrating their own identity. It offers an innovative way of addressing self-representation and challenging stereotypes of Africa. Price £15 available from LGEC.
18. Resources: Out of Sight – new pack to combat racism towards Gypsy Roma Travellers
Show Racism the Red Card has launched Out of Site, a new Education Pack to combat racism towards Gypsy Roma Travellers (GRT). The pack is produced in partnership with Durham Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service and in collaboration with highly respected academics and experts in the field of GRT, as well as with Gypsy, Roma, and Travellers themselves.
The pack is downloadable free of charge from www.srtrc.org/news/news-and-events?news=480
19. Useful Websites: Action Aid
Actionaid offers a range of useful services, including a toolkit that helps learners investigate energy use at home and in their school, a resource pack based on the film, The Age of Stupid and a network of professional teachers who can visit schools across the country to discuss climate change. For more information go to: www.actionaid.org.uk
20. Useful Websites: Developments – free quarterly magazine from DfID
Developments is a free quarterly magazine from the UK Government’s Department for International Development designed to increase awareness of development issues. To subscribe to this magazine, go to http://www.developments.org.uk/subscribe
21. Useful Websites: Global Footprints
The Global Footprints project seeks to explore ways in which schools can examine, measure and reduce their impact on the environment, but also explore a footprint that takes account of the social and global effects of human activity. For further information, go to http://www.globalfootprints.org
22. Useful Websites: Green Flag Schools
The Green Flag Schools Program for Environmental Leadership provides a framework for schools to engage in environmental advocacy. Through the program, students learn environmental concepts, investigate their schools, and advocate for school-wide reforms to make their schools safer and healthier.
Working as a team to complete classroom activities, presentations, and environmental audits, students learn practical life skills, such as problem solving, teamwork, and public speaking, to be used far beyond the classroom. CHEJ's Child Proofing Our Communities Campaign coordinates the Green Flag Program. For further information, go to http://www.greenflagschools.org/
23. Useful Websites: Climate Squad
There is a growing need to equip young people with the skills and confidence to build sustainable communities, gain future employment, particularly in the environment sector, and cope with ever-changing circumstances. In response, the Climate Squad programme will develop young people as leaders on sustainability in their communities through an accredited training course and a wide range of creative and engaging volunteering opportunities, across England.
Young people will be given the opportunity to lead on sustainable community initiatives and inspire others to take action on climate change. The programme will engage young people aged 16 - 25, with a particular focus on those new to and under-represented in mainstream environmental volunteering, and aims for 50% of volunteers to be not in employment, education or training (NEET).
For further information, go to http://climatesquad.org.uk/
24. Final News Updates: International Community Exchange
Community Xchange is a partnership programme run by Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and the British Council.
It is a unique cross-cultural professional development programme involving teams of community professionals and volunteers who will be working together to develop communities and young people’s active citizenship in East Lancashire, Preston and Muscat, Oman.
30 community workers, 15 from East Lancashire and Preston & 15 from Muscat will participate in two 3 week programmes of work shadowing, research and learning in each of their respective countries. We are therefore still seeking hosts in East Lancashire and Preston who are able to support the programme, by accommodating the participating community workers from Muscat, Oman for their 3 week visit to Lancashire from 31st October – 21st November.
If you have a spare room and are interested in hosting then please contact:
Craig Hart - the Programme Supervisor at craig.hart@vso.org.uk or on 07500 915500
25. Final News Updates: Global Youth Volunteering Opportunities with Platform 2
Platform2 is a FULLY FUNDED global volunteering scheme for 18 to 25 year-olds who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to visit a developing country and get involved with global issues of justice and poverty.
For further information please email Shona, who recently returned from an amazing 10-week trip volunteering in India shona@safespacependle.org.uk or click on www.myplatform2.com
is registered as:
Lancashire Development Education Group Ltd.
Registered Charity No. 1089036