International Professional Development

Opportunities

Are you interested in taking part in an international study visit?

There are a number of opportunities available to teachers and senior managers, many of which are fully funded by the DfES

TIPD (Teachers International Professional Development)

(This is the programme that enabled a group of teachers from Bracknell Forest to visit South Africa during the autumn 2003 half term).

If you are interested in this scheme, please contact Dan Archer on 01344 354034 or email dan.archer@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

School Determined Strand

Part of the TIPD programme, this scheme provides funding for a group of teachers from your school (minimum of two) to visit a link school overseas. In order to apply for this, you will need to have maintained a link with a school abroad for a minimum of six months.

For more information, visit: www.specialistschoolstrust.org.uk

The Global Teachers Programme

Arranged by ‘Link Community Development’, this programme provides an opportunity for teachers to spend five weeks during the summer holidays working in a school in South Africa or Uganda. This is a leadership development programme and aimed at teachers with a minimum of four years teaching experience. The fee for participation in this programme is £1,000. Link provides advice on how to access funding for this.

Socrates programme – Arion study visits

The Arion programme allows education specialists to observe best education practice in another country. Each year, multilateral groups attend five day study visits held throughout Europe on various themes. Typical themes include Quality in Education, Language Teaching, European Dimension in Education, Preventing School Failure, Supporting Active Citizenship and Equal Opportunities. Applications are welcomed from: advisers, inspectors, teacher trainers, education officers, headteachers and assistant headteachers.

The LA may submit 4 applications for this programme. However, different organisations from within Bracknell Forest may submit other applications, i.e. Heateachers Association, Association of Music Teachers, etc.

The list of courses is published in March and applications must be received by May. The nominating body must prioritise applications ranking them from 1-4.

Comenius 2.2 In-Service Training Courses

Grants are available under the EU Socrates programme to teachers in UK schools and colleges to attend a training course in another European country. Grants of up to 1500 Euros can be gained to support course fees, local and international travel and subsistence costs. Supply cover cannot be reimbursed.

Details of courses as well as the application deadlines are available on the Socrates website:

This programme has changed slightly. Colleagues can now apply at any time of year. Courses can be found on the Comenius 2.2 website although if there are courses that they find themselves, they may apply for these. Any education professional may apply for these courses (they are not study visits) and there are more places available for this than there are for Arion. www.britishcouncil.org/comenius.htm