RISC worked in partnership with 11 schools, over four years, to develop a region-wide (Berkshire and Oxfordshire) network of centres, who continue to provide support in the development and dissemination of good practice in Global Citizenship and to develop a model of effective whole school delivery. 6 schools have gone on to become centres of excellence in Global Citizenship.

The Partners
These are six primary schools: four in Berkshire and two in Oxfordshire, and one secondary school in Berkshire. A further 4 schools were recruited in 2007.
We have chosen schools which reflect a balance between urban, multi-ethnic and rural, mainly white schools.

Measuring Change
A baseline audit of knowledge and attitudes has been developed and was published as a toolkit for measuring attitudinal change in 2008 (How Do We Know It’s Working?)

This audit has been conducted with children in Years 2, 4 and 6 at the primary schools, and with year 7 and 9 pupils at the secondary school. The responses from the audits are analysed and used to inform curriculum planning within each school.

The mid-project audits take place two years later, and progress is reviewed; the final audits take place two years after that. Results from the three audits are compared to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the project. Other methods used for gathering evidence include interviews, curriculum plans, school policies, assembly and lesson observations, library audits and a photographic record of displays.
A self-evaluation framework ...Are We Nearly There? was developed which enables staff to consider their progress towards Global Citizenship becoming embedded throughout the school and to identify priorities for the future within Teaching & Learning; Ethos & Policies; Staff Development; Resources & School Environment and Communications.

For copies of How Do We Know It's Working? and Are We Nearly There? please visit our RISC Publications page

http://www.risc.org.uk/education/risc_publications.php

Achieving Change
An audit of staff training needs is conducted, and a training programme planned. This programme offers a whole staff introductory training day for each school, followed by a sequence of days for whole staff in Maths & Science, Literacy & Oracy and Teaching Controversial Issues; and for subject leaders in Design & Technology, Art & Design, Music and Humanities.
Training for Teaching Assistants has been identified as an essential component of the programme. Resource support is provided through raising awareness of existing materials which support the inclusion of Global Citizenship across the curriculum (a number of NGOs have provided free materials to the schools).
 

Sustaining Change

Ensuring Global Citizenship is written into school policies is considered vitally important by the participating schools, a mark of the importance they believe the work is due. Inclusion in the School Improvement Plan guarantees Global Citizenship a priority status by all within the school community, and at an individual level some teachers' Performance Management Targets include the delivery of Global Citizenship. Local linking has grown in importance, both in its own right, and as a means of developing good practice in relation to global partnerships. Communication with the whole school community - governors, parents and the wider community is seen as vital to the successful development of a Global School.
 

Dissemination
A dissemination strategy has been developed which includes school open days, teaching demonstration lessons, hosting visitors from OFSTED, QCA & GTC, researchers and DE providers. Global school teachers contribute to and run CPD, provide examples of work for display and exhibitions at courses or conferences, contribute to courses and conferences and deliver training within ITE. The strategy includes writing papers for conference proceedings and journals, providing examples of work for websites, providing examples of work for other professionals, and giving advice or information by phone or email.

Further information

If you would like to know more about our work with Global Schools please contact Barbara@risc.org.uk, Liz@risc.org.uk, Louise@risc.org.uk, 01189 586692

 

 

This work is featured in the following publications
International Journal of Development Education and Global Learning vol 1 number 1 (2008)
Whole School Development and the Global Dimension by Michila Critchley and Rob Unwin, pub Development Education Centre South Yorkshire (2008)

Print Friendly Version of this page

© RISC 2009   |   35-39 London Street, Reading, UK, RG1 4PS   |   (0118) 9586 692   |   www.risc.org.uk

make a difference   | contact   |   about  |  Registered Charity No: 293799  |  RISC is a company limited by guarantee. (No 1987368)

world shop   |   education   |   global cafe   |   gardens   |   arts   |   room hire   |   events & exhibitions   |   volunteers