International linking at Hillside
Hillside is committed to developing an international dimension and a global perspective for all pupils. The school has built up particular expertise in taking opportunities to develop international linking, particularly through use of ICT.
We have adopted a whole-school approach so that pupils are involved in real-life contexts across the curriculum. As our students engage with others in shared project work, communicate with them or travel to meet them, they develop new skills and learn more about their ability to communicate. As their eyes are opened and they develop their skills in expressing themselves and learning about the lives of others, their personal aspirations are raised. The confidence developed and the skills learned are transferred across the whole of their studies. Respecting other people, cultures and lifestyles becomes natural.
Ideally, we like our students and their partners in other schools to meet face to face, but this is not always possible. However, the opportunities afforded by electronic communications mean that even if pupils are not all able to travel abroad to meet other children, they will have the opportunity to communicate through online interactive projects based at school.
In the Summer of 2008, for example, there has been a wide range of activities for our pupils as well as the necessary planning for exciting projects next year!
- Cultural Diversity Evening in July
- Visit by a representative of the Spanish Embassy to see Spanish classes and extra-curricular activities
- Flamenco Dance club started
- Maths challenge with a school in the Netherlands by videoconference
- 2 whole day sessions at Hillside led by the NSCLC to introduce the use of Kartouche and Photoshop within Modern Languages lessons
- Visits by pupils from local primary schools to develop their skills in Spanish
|