Supported Partnerships

If you’re new to international collaboration, a short-term Supported Partnership with Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning could open the door to a world of opportunities for your setting.

It’s easy to register and quick to get started with the help of your own expert Supported Partnerships advisor, plus a host of ready-to-go project ideas and classroom resources.

What are Supported Partnerships?

Supported Partnerships are designed for settings that are new to international collaboration who wish to start their global learning journey without grant funding.

Clusters of participants – representing a maximum of five UK and five overseas schools – work together on a project linked to a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that is related to COP26 , the UN Climate Change Conference being held in the UK in November 2021. The project will be delivered during a six week period, starting in November 2021, and will be followed by a final evaluation activity. Please note that only one teacher per eligible UK and overseas school can apply to participate in these collaborations.

We will help you develop your project through three one-hour webinars delivered by a global learning practitioner, who will also provide guidance, CPD and support with any questions that you may have.

Upon completion of the project, your supported partnerships adviser will write a short evaluation report and provide you and your cluster with tools and resources to further your collaboration.

Which settings can participate and from which geographical location?

As a member of a UK cluster, you will be grouped with up to four other settings from across the United Kingdom, with an equivalent cluster of the same number of participating schools from overseas. The participating countries for this round of Supported Partnerships are:

Bangladesh and Pakistan (South Asia)
Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Lebanon, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territory) and Morocco (Middle-East and North Africa).

We will support partnership requests where possible, but cannot guarantee you will be placed in a cluster as specified.

Only state-funded settings are eligible to apply. We accept applications from settings providing full-time general, vocational, technical and additional support needs education. We also welcome applications from alternative provision settings.

Why should I take part?

Understanding – and taking action on – the big issues that shape our world has never been more important. Issues like health and well-being, climate change, gender equality, equity and inclusion and how to live sustainably affect – and connect – us all; wherever we are in the world.

International partnerships support your learners to develop the confidence, skills, knowledge, values and attitudes they need to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world – and create positive, pupil-led change as part of an interdisciplinary, whole-setting approach to Learning for Sustainability.

Participating is simple. We find overseas partner schools for you.

All settings taking part will automatically qualify to apply for the International School Award Foundation Level, ensuring recognition for your work.

Supported partnerships will also help you discover further ways the British Council can play a role in your setting’s international collaboration, professional development and opportunities for your learners inside and outside of the classroom.

All that we need for you to take part is some baseline information about your school and agreement from your Head Teacher that you can be released to take part in the programme.

What content will be covered during the webinars?

Please note that for partnerships beginning in November, webinars will take place over a six-week period from this date.

Webinar 1

This webinar will set the context of the project and situate it in the wider Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme.

Participants gain an understanding of the potential of global learning and partnerships, exploring how the Sustainable Development Goals can provide a context for young people to explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes around the issue of climate change.

Learning outcome: recognise the value of developing common aims, priorities and plans based on Sustainable Development Goals and COP26 to meet the needs of partner schools and build on what is already working for others.

Webinar 2

Sustainable Development Goal 13. This webinar will explore climate change and its relationship to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants will be introduced to active and participatory methodologies that can be used with partner schools to explore the impact of the climate crisis in both local and global communities, highlighting the interconnectivity of our world. This webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for schools to participate in activities around the COP26 conference.

Learning outcome: identify examples of the connections between what is happening in my own community and in the communities of people elsewhere in the world.

Webinar 3

This webinar will look at ways to empower young people to take action, particularly around issues associated with climate change and climate justice. Participants will identify steps to create a campaign with their partner schools, exploring examples of young people who have led the way in climate action both locally and globally.

Learning outcome: Identify examples of how individuals and groups, including young people, have taken effective and responsible action on local and global issues to promote social justice and sustainability.

How do I sign up?

We are currently accepting submitted agreements signed by you and your school leadership for collaborations taking place between November and December 2021.

To participate please complete the agreement form and submit by the deadline of 12.00pm GMT, Friday 17 September 2021.

If you have any questions about the supported partnerships offer, please do get in touch with the British Council Schools’ team with the subject line ‘Supported Partnerships’.