Published: 13 November 2007
International Extended Placements for School Leaders
A pioneering project enabling school heads and deputies to take up short-term placements with partner schools in Africa will receive a £50,000 boost Schools Minister Jim Knight has announced.
The pilot for International Extended Placements, set up in December 2006 by international development charity Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), gave eight heads and deputies the opportunity of a lifetime - to work in schools in Rwanda and Namibia for 12 weeks.
Over the summer they shared their skills with local teachers and senior educationalists enabling them to use their expertise in a different context and contributing to long-term development for the education systems in the two countries.
An independent evaluation of the pilot, by the Institute of Policy Studies at London Metropolitan University, found the scheme to be beneficial not only to the school leaders who volunteered overseas, but also to their colleagues back in the UK who gained from their valuable leadership experience.
The second phase, in early 2008, will give six head teachers or other school leaders the chance to take up extended teaching placements for 11 weeks in Rwanda or Namibia.
The scheme is open to members of the NAHT, who will be trained & supported by VSO, who provide all volunteers with a local living allowance, training, flights, accommodation, insurance and visas.
As part of VSO's long-term work International Extended Placements provide opportunities that will contribute to education systems in a sustainable and meaningful way.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
"This is a brilliant scheme with great potential.
I want to congratulate VSO and NAHT for this innovative scheme, and the eight heads and deputy heads who blazed the trail earlier this year. They have all put in a huge effort, and have had highly rewarding personal experiences.
The gains to the African schools are clear, but these teachers are also bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience back to their classrooms in England.
That is why we are backing the next round of these placements with a grant of £50,000, with each participating school getting an average of £5,000.
Volunteering overseas is a great opportunity to bring the wider world into the curriculum and the classroom.
Opportunities like these can be real eye-openers and give teachers an insight into the issues which are common to education in developed and undeveloped countries.
These types of projects are great if you want to get out of your comfort zone and push the boundaries of learning in a completely different environment."
New research from the University of Southampton has shown volunteering overseas gives teachers time to re-evaluate their teaching methodology, returning more motivated and with a greater understanding of global issues.
The Enriching Education research found that teachers who had volunteered with VSO returned with more understanding of the needs of others, and more confidence in their own skills.
Judith Brodie, Director of VSO UK, said:
"There are so many benefits for schools taking part in International Extended Placements.
Not only will the school leader learn about and contribute to an African education system whilst living and working in another country, their colleagues in the UK also benefit from opportunities to gain leadership skills.
Ultimately the children in Africa and the UK benefit from the knowledge the volunteers can bring them to improve the quality of their education.
We welcome the grant from the DCSF which will give more schools the opportunity to be part of this scheme."
Mick Brookes, NAHT General Secretary said:
"The NAHT is pleased that the Government has recognised the tremendous value in this joint project with VSO, which enables real gains for School Leaders in developing a truly global curriculum for our children."
Beverley Mann, Deputy Head of Goddard Park Community Primary School in Swindon said:
"I feel not only reinvigorated myself, but believe I have made a difference to the Primary School I worked with in Rwanda.
I was humbled by post-genocide communities placing education at the centre of their development.
I've returned to my school with a clear vision of how our children can improve their attainment through deeper international links, exploring sustainability issues, and working towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award."
Further information
Enriching Education an independent report by the University of Southampton
VSO - International Extended Placements for School Leaders
National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award
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