Our Joint Successes in Global Learning in England for 2013-14

1. Our Joint Successes in Global Learning in England for • 2013-14 Think Global AGM 2014

2. Global Learning in 2013-14 Cheshire DEC were involved in a fabulous project creating a Global Garden at Cherry Grove Primary Schoolin Cheshire. “This project has had a great impact on the physical environment, which is now much more vibrant and stimulating. This has created a great deal of interest throughout the school and beyond, promoting how children learn in the EYFS and an understanding that they are not 'just playing’. The ownership that the children feel as a result of their involvement in the planning and construction of the garden is considerable and they take great care ofit. There has been a big impact on the children's understanding of the wider world - they have made an 'African bag garden' so they understand how these are used to grow plants in harsh environments. Growing their own fruit and vegetables has not only been great fun, but has given us the opportunity to engage the children in thinking about a healthy diet as well as how plants grow and where food comes from. These are just a few of examples of the impact which has been immense." Mike Bousfield, Head Cherry Grove Primary School.

3. Global Learning in 2013-14 Demands for the Global Wallplanner continue to stay high – supplies are dwindling fast!

4. Global Learning in 2013-14 One World Centre Isle of Man ran a Primary Short Film competition - each film interpreted some aspect of “It’s Not Fair!” in a global context.  Visit www.oneworldcentreiom.org/2014/06/24/you-can-view-film-entries-here/ to find this year’s entriesand winners. AnaghCoar School, Isle of Man – Joint Winner Sulby School, Isle of Man – Joint Winner The next competition runs in the Spring Term 2015. One World Centre IOM welcomes entries from UK primary schools. 

5. Global Learning in 2013-14 More teachers than ever visit the Global Dimension website for ideas and support (192,127visitors)

6. Global Learning in 2013-14 Nottingham Trent University received national recognition and a Silver medal award for their Global Week which engaged home / EU and International students in exploring aspects of each other’s cultures. More details can be found at www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/news/158165-25/National_recognition_for_NTU_Global_Week.aspx

7. Global Learning in 2013-14 The Global Learning Programme for Wales launches with students, teachers and guests taking part in global activities at the Welsh language school YsgolGyfun Cwm Rhymni. The Programme aims to involve half of all schools in Wales and offers practical tools to bring global issues into the classroom, including through a bilingual programme website. 

8. Global Learning in 2013-14 Cumbria DEC successfully completed its 3 year project ‘Global Literacy for a Fairer World’, a project that involved teachers and learners in the UK, Poland, Czech Republic and Ghana working together to understand and challenge poverty and global inequality.  As part of the final year of the project, CDEC gathered together some of the best classroom activities from participating schools into a KS2 teaching pack, and were delighted when it was recognised by the Geographical Association’s Silver Publication Award!  Teachers have been using the resource to embed global learning across their literacy and geography lessons.

9. Global Learning in 2013-14 An Expert Group formed to advise on PISA’sframework for 2018 assessment of global competencies.

10. Global Learning in 2013-14 Cumbria DEC was also delighted to celebrate their 30th birthday in 2014.  It was an opportunity to engage with educators and activitists, staff, Trustees and friends past and present, and reflect on the changes within education, society and development education since 1984.  It has continued to be an increasingly difficult time for DECs struggling to secure funds to support our work with schools and communities, so they’re very grateful to still be here, and are looking forward to creative collaborative ways to move the sector forwards in years to come!

11. Global Learning in 2013-14 Articles on Practical Action’s Beat the Flood challenge appeared in Primary Science and Education in Science.

12. Global Learning in 2013-14 Think Global, brought together educators, NGOs and business leaders to debate the global skills required by young people for the future at London's City Hall.

13. Global Learning in 2013-14 Y Care International completed a three year pilot project working with 180offenders or young people at risk of offending to look at the global dimension to gang, gun and knife crime. YCI worked across twelve sites, five of which were secure settings such as youth offender institutes and the remainder in youth work settings. An independent evaluation by DeMontfort University shows that 72% had an increased awareness of gangs and violence outside of the UK, towards the end of the project and significant reductions in self-reported participation in gang, gun and knife crime.

14. Global Learning in 2013-14 Think Global grew its reach electronically via web, Twitter, Facebook, by growing the Think Global Schools Network and with a new series of e-learning modules for teachers.

15. Thanks to all members & supporters for their work and achievements for global learning over the last year.