Strategic Core

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603) 223833

Mrs Alison Cunningham

SC/AC/MIG 01603 223480

25 September 2001 01603 223838

To: All Schools including

Special Schools and

Adult Education Centres

Dear Colleague

In October of last year, a Statement of Intent was signed by myself and a representative of the Academie de Toulouse to promote "the development of educational exchanges and co-operation on educational projects".

A working group made up of representatives of all phases of education met in order to consider the best way of moving things forward and decided that a conference which would bring together colleagues from each phase of the education service would be the most effective way of ensuring sustained support for the link. Lifelong Learning as an overall theme ensures that all learners can potentially benefit. It was also decided that the Lifelong Learning theme should be examined in the context of the problems faced by the rural nature of both authorities.

Following consultation with colleagues in Toulouse, Norfolk agreed to act as hosts, and an application has been made to Brussels for help with funding this event. The following paragraphs are extracts from that bid.

1. To reinforce European awareness amongst learners by encouraging partnerships at all levels of the education service
2. To share good practice about ways to improve access to learning and the quality of education for all learners in a rural area

The conference will be attended by two representatives of each of the following phases of education from each country:

• Early Years and Childcare
• Primary Education
• Secondary Education,
• Post 16 Education
• Special Schools
• Adult Education

There will also be two representatives from the Advisory Service, other LEA officers and colleagues representing the administration of the Academie de Toulouse

1. Close ties between individual educational institutions in Norfolk and Toulouse, which will enrich and widen the learning experience for many citizens through improved communication
2. Dialogue to address the particular problems posed by remote rural learning centres when providing a quality education service for all residents
3. Greater understanding of the role that e-learning can have in delivering an education service particularly to remote rural areas
4. Opportunities to build up information networks which will facilitate transnational exchange of information
5. Opportunities for young people to do work experience abroad and to participate in events and exchanges with Toulouse
6. A better understanding of the education system in another European Country
7. A clearer vision of what it means to be a European which will encourage people to look beyond the borders of their own country
8. Opportunities for those with learning difficulties and disabilities in our Special Schools to make connections with schools in Toulouse

The conference can only take place if we receive funding from the European Commission. We know that our bid has passed the first hurdle and is being considered by the jury. That decision should have been reached before the end of September but the recent tragic events in the United States have caused all decisions to be delayed in Brussels and we will not hear anything definite until mid-October which leaves us very little time for planning.

For this reason, I am writing now to invite schools and adult education centres to consider how they might benefit from this event assuming it can go ahead.

If you think that a member of your staff would like to be considered as a delegate, please ask him/her to fill in the attached form. (There will be no charge for delegates attending the conference but the LEA cannot cover any supply costs.)

If your centre is currently involved in any innovative work which pertains to the stated aims and anticipated results and which would be of interest to colleagues from Toulouse, please let us know on the attached form.

If you are interested only in exploring links with Toulouse, please let us know how, by returning the form

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Norfolk/Toulouse Lifelong Learning Conference

November 24-27 2001

The Blakeney Hotel

Name of school/centre:

Name of contact person:

Description of innovative work pertaining to the aims and anticipated outcomes of the conference which you would be prepared to share with colleagues from Toulouse.

Would you be prepared to receive 2 or 3 visitors from Toulouse for a morning or afternoon session on Monday 26 November?

Details of ways in which you would like to explore links with Toulouse

(e.g. email links, exchange of teaching materials, video links, professional dialogue and collaboration etc.)

Please return to Alison Cunningham at County Hall by Friday 12 October

Norfolk/Toulouse Lifelong Learning Conference

November 24-27

The Blakeney Hotel

Name of applicant

Name of school/centre:

Position in school/centre:

What is your current involvement in delivering a European element into the curriculum?

How do you feel your attendance at this conference will benefit a)your school/centre and b) your own professional development?

How would you like to see links with Toulouse develop in your school/centre?

Being able to speak French is NOT a requirement for selection. However, it will be helpful for us to know how much interpreting support will be required. How would you describe your knowledge of French?

Non-existent / limited to GCSE / competent / fluent

Please return to Alison Cunningham at County Hall by Friday 12 October