Planning a school link

Our planning tool is called Thinking about linking and will guide you like a quiz through some options for your link that will help you to decide on what sort of link would suit your school.

Once you are on our accreditation framework you may want to carry out further planning. You can draft an international policy, which will mean thinking about your school’s aims and objectives. This in turn can help you to draw up a partnership agreement if you have a whole school partnership.

Objectives for whole school

(examples)

• To develop the curriculum in terms of its content and its underlying values
• To improve pupils’ future international opportunities in work and education
• To help promote responsible attitudes, for example in relation to fellow citizens and the environment, at local and global levels
• To contribute to the professional development of staff through contact with other education systems and networking with other teachers internationally  
• An international ethos embedded throughout the school

Objectives for partner school

Remember your partner school will have plans and expectations, just as you do. If you aren't sure of your partner school's aims, ask! They might include:

• Learning English – what can your school contribute from literacy and ESL experience
• Curriculum development and sharing teaching resources
• Raising the profile of the school and attracting visitors or sponsors
• Professional development such as teaching methodology

Next: Setting up a link