Bryan Slater Director of Education	Distribution
	All Headteachers

The attached document is provided for your information:

INFORMATION	Title	European and International Links
	Summary of contents	A meeting to hear about ways in which your school can become involved with schools in Europe and worldwide.
	Associated documents
	Date	2^nd July 2003
	Effective from	2^nd July 2003
	LEA Contact	Alison Cunningham	(	01603 223480
	E-mail address	Alison.cunningham@norfolk.gov.uk
	Norfolk Self Review reference	4. How good are curricular and other opportunities?
	Document reference	MI 148/03

Dear Headteacher

European and International Links

Thursday 18 September - 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm at the

Professional Development Centre in Norwich

I am writing to invite you to attend this event or to send a representative if you prefer. It will provide you with an opportunity to find out more about the range of international links that your school could participate in and will enable you to indicate your interest in taking part in the future.

There are many schools in the county that already benefit from links with schools and communities in Europe and worldwide. In secondary schools these links are often driven by the Modern Foreign Language department; in primary schools the main focus is usually a cross curriculum project and acquisition of a language other than English is an incidental bonus.

Schools that have chosen, for whatever reason to highlight a European and wider international dimension across the curriculum report a number of benefits:

1. The school as a whole benefits through:

· Opening windows onto the wider world

· Providing opportunities for acquiring languages other than English

· Providing a real context for using ICT

· Enriching the ethos of the school

2. The pupils benefit through:
• Developing skills in cross-cultural co-operation
• Fostering a sense of identity as young global citizens
• Increasing their motivation with resulting improvement in their levels of achievement

3. The teachers benefit through:
• Opportunities for professional and personal development through contacts with teachers from other countries
• Exploring different methods of teaching and learning
• Raised morale

There is strong evidence to support the claim that involvement in European/International projects has a positive effect on standards in schools.

In order to encourage and facilitate European and International links the LEA in 2000, set up an agreement with the Academie de Toulouse to work together at all levels. This accord has already resulted in some exciting joint ventures and there are plans to explore further ways in which we can collaborate and learn from each other. More recently, through the County Council, we are building close ties with the Trondheim area of Norway.

At the meeting on 18 September, Rosalind Morton of the British Council will give a presentation about the various funding opportunities offered through the British Council to support international links. She will also talk about the work she is currently undertaking with Key Stage 3 co-ordinators in some LEAs to persuade schools of the value that the international dimension can have on reaching statutory targets.

Other topics which will be covered include:

• Our connections with Toulouse and Trondheim and plans for future collaborative projects
• Comenius projects currently being undertaken in Norfolk schools
• The International Schools Award
• The future for European Resource Centres
• The international links website on Esinet
• Norfolk’s pathfinder bid for Primary Modern Foreign Languages.

Could you please let Michele Herring know the name(s) of those attending so that we can provide the Professional Development Centre with an estimate of numbers for catering purposes (tea and biscuits will be available on arrival) tel: 01603 223383, fax: 01603 223838 or email michele.herring@norfolk.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Director of Education