INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

As a subject we teach work which is relevant to the international dimension as part of the schemes of work and National Curriculum at all levels. We are keen to develop an understanding by the students of their role as Global Citizens summarised as “Learning geography is important. Quite simply, if we are not aware of the world around us we are ignorant and insular, we cannot understand others, or learn from them and look beyond our own ways. Awareness of our environment and culture contribute to moral, social and cultural development.” Caunt I. (2005).

This can only happen if they have an understanding of how other places, cultures and systems are similar as well as different to the ones they live in. From the transition project linking students in year 6 through into the new year7 here from our main feeder primary schools to our A level courses, deliberate strategies are used to develop this. We are an active part of the Positively Global scheme and work with many schools around the world. At staff level ideas, work and resources are being exchanged. The students take part in conferences either in person or via ICT linkages of video-conferencing, message boards or via the exchange of e-mails and photos.

In particular we work closely with partner schools in South Africa, Nicaragua, Norway the USA and Australia. There are some student exchanges and trips that support this but much of the work is being done with a wide range of students as well as the G and T cohorts.