Local teachers taking a global view on education at conference

Local teachers attended a mini-conference about Global Education last week and came away with a free copy of a brand new teaching toolkit.
Global Teaching SUS-160127-130235001Global Teaching SUS-160127-130235001
Global Teaching SUS-160127-130235001

The event was held at the White Rock Hotel to introduce the pack, ‘How do we Know it’s Working’, which contains more than 40 activities, designed and tested by teachers from Hastings and across the EU and in Ethiopia to help teachers to measure pupils’ attitudes around human rights, interdependence, diversity, peace, conflict and sustainability.

The activities encourage pupils to question their attitudes and prejudices towards cultural differences such as race, age, gender and wealth.

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Global education is about expanding pupils’ perspectives’, says Mandy Curtis, Director of 18 Hours, who hosted the event. “It’s about helping children and young people to understand how their choices and actions can help create a fairer world.”

One of the teachers who helped develop the toolkit is Nicola Banks, from West St Leonards Primary Academy, who said: “As teachers, we know we should have a positive impact on skills and knowledge, but we can also have a positive effect on attitudes.”

Andrew McGregor, head teacher at Salehurst Primary School, said: “ We include Global Education on our School Development Plan. “It is easy to fit into the curriculum and pupils enjoy thinking about wider global concepts.

“These activities bring so many benefits, including the ability to question, debate and express opinions.”

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In participating schools across the EU, teachers have reported greater understanding among pupils. “People often focus on cultural differences,” says Mandy, “but global education focuses on similarities between people, regardless of background.

“This encourages understanding, compassion and cooperation.”

Participating schools have reported reduced racist incidents and it seems that Ofsted looks favourably on a global education agenda.

18 Hours is the Development Education Centre for East Sussex, one of 25 across the UK.

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The organisation provides training and resources to teachers and educators who have a shared passion for fostering global citizenship.

“Global education equips individuals with the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes to take action for social justice and sustainability,” says Mandy. “In the words of the Rigoberta Menchu ‘The world is not going to change unless we change ourselves’.’’

If you work with children and young people and would like to find out more contact [email protected].

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