http://www.globalgateway.org/isa
Email: isa@globalgateway.org or call 020 7389 4419.
The DCSF ISA is an accreditation scheme for curriculum-based international work in schools. It is open to all UK schools and is free of charge. The international dimension in education is an increasingly important part of agendas such as Every Child Matters and Community Cohesion in how it supports the cultural heritage of teachers and learners and positive learning across schools. The ISA now features in Part One of the 2007-8 SEF for schools in England as a 'significant award' that contributes to giving the school a 'distinctive character'. The ISA is also featured in the new curriculum guidance from QCA, particularly with regard to the Global Dimension.
The ISA supports schools to develop the following:
The ISA offers:
'By 2020 the Government would like all schools to be models of good global citizenship, enriching their educational mission with activities that improve the lives of people living in other parts of the world.'
Registration
In order to apply for the DCSF International School Award schools need to register. Schools will be asked to confirm their details and the details of the international coordinator.
Foundation: Introducing Internationalism
This category is designed for schools that are just embarking on internationalism. Schools assert an intent to build internationalism into the curriculum, utilise the online framework to record existing activities and will get feedback from The British Council. The Global Gateway team helps schools find suitable international partner schools.
Criteria
A proforma statement of intent agreed with the Headteacher and Chairperson. This statement forms a part of the online application for the Foundation category. The British Council would expect schools to start using the Global Gateway partner-finding service. It is not necessary to submit any activities at this stage, although The British Council is interested in what schools are doing.
Deadline
Schools can apply at any time for the Foundation category. The British Council will contact schools within 2 weeks of receiving the application to advise of its progress. Successful applicants will receive a certificate of achievement from the British Council. Schools applying at this level are given recognition for international work already undertaken by the school. Therefore this is a retrospective look at the school's recent international work.
Intermediate: Developing Internationalism
This category is designed for schools that have more substantial curriculum-based international activities and have started to work with international partner school(s). There may be a number of teachers from a range of subjects who have begun to integrate global issues and international awareness into their lessons. There may be whole school activities such as a European or world project. One class might be exchanging emails with pupils in another country. There may be visits abroad and international exchanges or teacher study visits.
Criteria
A minimum of 3 curriculum-based international activities that took place in the last 12 months to be submitted online. A link with at least one school in another country, although collaborative work is not essential.
Deadline
Schools can apply at any time for the Intermediate category. The British Council will contact schools within 2 weeks of receiving the application to advise of its progress. Successful applicants will recieve a certificate of achievement from the British Council. Schools applying at this level are given recognition for international work already undertaken by the school. Therefore this is a retrospective look at the school's recent international work.
The International School Award (Full ISA)
This category is designed for schools that are ready to demonstrate an international ethos throughout the school, which is included in the school development plan. This will involve substantial curriculum-based international activity and schools must demonstrate collaborative work. It is likely that the school has a history of international activity over the past 2 years.
There might be a number of teachers from a range of subjects and year groups who have successfully integrated global issues and international awareness into their lessons. This might be in addition to whole school activities such as a European or world project. There are likely to be visits overseas and international exchanges or teacher study visits.
Application guidance
The Full ISA application is a two stage process. Schools will firstly need to submit an activity plan detailing a minimum of seven proposed activities that will take place over the next academic year. The activities must, overall, involve a majority of curriculum subjects, impact a majority of pupils, and demonstrate some collaborative curricular work with international partner schools. The second stage of the application process is submission of a portfolio of evidence of the international activities due at the end of the school year in July.
After submitting the action plan, members of the ISA team will assess applications and contact schools before the start of the January term. Help and guidance will be available for both those who are directed on to collating a portfolio, as well as those from whom more information is required about their international work. This support will furthermore be available throughout the remainder of the academic year, right up to the July submission deadline for portfolios.
Criteria
Application should set out a minimum of 7 curriculum-based international activities that will take place in the next curriculum year. The activities in your action plan must include:
Before schools submit their action plan they should read the notes on which international activities will and will not be accepted. If a school is successful at the first stage, it will then be required to submit a portfolio of evidence of these international activities.
The portfolio must include:
The portfolio should be sent to the British Council by post for assessment and comment.
Deadlines
The next deadline for the final submission of action plans is 31 October 2008 . However, the ISA team encourages schools to submit their action plans as soon as possible in order to start collating evidence straight away at the beginning of the school year. Schools that have already had their 2008 ISA action plan accepted will then need to send their portfolio by 18 July 2008 .
Accreditation
Successful schools will be invited to a national ISA ceremony and will be presented with an official ISA certificate and a trophy of achievement from the DCSF. The schools will also be able to use the ISA logo for their promotional materials. They will gain national recognition as an ambassador for international work. The ISA is valid for three years.