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European Studies Programme www.european-studies.org. What is European Studies?. Post Primary school curriculum programme Funded by Departments of Education in Ireland and Northern Ireland Links schools across Europe on collaborative, cross-curricular projects
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What is European Studies? • Post Primary school curriculum programme • Funded by Departments of Education in Ireland and Northern Ireland • Links schools across Europe on collaborative, cross-curricular projects • Promotes mutual understanding & an appreciation of other cultures • Approximately 300 schools in 25 European regions
What are the benefits to teachers? • Collegiality • Accreditation opportunities eg EAT certificates, The International Award • On-going curriculum development responding to new education initiatives • Resources and materials • Professional development opportunities • Encourages innovation & creativity • High level of expertise • Enhanced teacher confidence
What are the benefits to students? • Communicating & collaborating with peers in other countries • Developing a range of skills, for example • Communication - Working with others • Citizenship - ICT • Research - Discussion • Presentation - Problem solving • Presenting materials for a real audience • Independent & peer learning • Competitions • Increased performance and attainment
What are the benefits to parents and the wider community? • Challenges pre-conceptions of staff & pupils • Breaks down barriers which exist between different types of schools • Students gain greater tolerance and understanding of different cultures • Develops community cohesion • Prepares young people for greater future mobility
Joining the European Studies Programme: • School completes application form to join • - Junior Programme 11 – 15 years, (includes European Primary Schools) • and/or • - Senior Programme 16 – 18 years plus • School then invited to International Teacher • Planning Conference
Cluster Composition On joining schools meet and work in cluster groups of 5 to 6 schools Clusters composed of 1 Northern Irish school 1 Republic of Ireland school 2 – 4 European/UK schools
Cluster Groups Agreements • Cluster groups plan agreements of curriculum based work for the following academic year • Agreement then signed by 5 – 6 members as contract on annual basis • Each school identifies the class(es) who will collaborate on the agreed work
Agreement Consists of • Core activities with preliminary activity of personal profiles exchange • One topic should be based on theme of conference eg Citizenship, Intercultural Learning, Creativity & Innovation • Throughout year cluster groups receive office support of eg website (including the Communication Platform), newsletter, student certificates of participation.
The ESP Co-ordinator year Spring – Annual international planning conference Sept. – Commence preliminary activities eg personal profiles October – Commence core activity one Autumn – Christmas Card competition, Euroscola competition, Winter newsletter, Irish/Northern Irish School visits
The ESP Co-ordinator year Winter – Conference invitations, Grant Applications, Regional Training Days, commence main collaborative activity Spring – Conference Completion of collaborative activity Spring – Euroscola Summer – Issuing of student certificates of participation
Conference Venues The International Planning Conferences are held in: Ireland (North and South) And Belgium in The Louvain Institute for Ireland in Europe, Leuven
At Conference • 100 delegates from secondary level • schools from up to 25 different • countries (average 12 nationalities) • Conference generally begins Friday • 1430 and ends Sunday 1130
At Conference Delegates Receive • In-service training in the international dimension in education • Materials and resources • Workshops on relevant topics eg European Funding (European national agencies), Pedagogy • Information on accreditation and assessment • ICT training
Conclusion • European Studies is delighted to welcome schools from Ireland, N Ireland and Europe: primary (if 11 years plus), secondary, grammar, special, colleges of further and higher education • Application packs available from www.european-studies.org/info.htm