Mindset and Mindfulness Erasmus Project

Project Title

Mindset and Mindfulness

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Health and wellbeing; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education

Project Summary

The aim of our project is to develop mindset and mindfulness. Both of the partner schools work on a multitude of projects which complement both our curriculum and each other. One school is more experienced in mindset whilst the other is more experienced in mindfulness. This has allowed this mutually beneficial project to develop as a result of our deeper understanding of one-another’s strengths, issues and constraints.

The project was developed whilst on a KA1 training course on mindfulness that both coordinators attended. This meant that both schools were already committed to this area and planning on developing practice. Based on this experience, our project can be both innovative whilst we find even better ways to deliver our aims, whilst also complimenting the work we have already undertaken.

We plan to do this by developing a number of projects and resources which require a range of defined skills linked to mindfulness and mindset. We intend on sharing the outcomes through Twinspace, newsletters and other online and marketing methodologies such as links with other schools and teacher training providers in our local areas. Students will work in intercultural groups wherever possible. In doing so, our project leads to a better understanding of European identity, the link between languages and future employment, and the diverse and changing nature of the common education and employment market of Europe. Moreover, by actively looking for the common European identity, we will promote and consolidate acceptance and encourage students to examine identity and culture, and the role of language within that. Students will have a chance to get to know their European peers from across the globe and keep in touch with them through ICT and planned exchange trips.

As well as developing pupil’s skills, we also wish to share best practice amongst staff so that all partners can provide training and resources for the partners in their strengths, and access support to help them with any areas they wish to develop. This will ensure the project is as cross-curricular and embedded as possible, but will also lead to developed resources and experience that can be shared with stakeholders outside of the partnership through open access websites such as Twinspace, and eventually training and conferences that can encourage KA1 projects.

Project activities are going to include active teaching methods including new technologies, school trips and workshops. These aim to encourage our students to participate in the project and develop their sense of citizenship, literacy, and language as well as stimulating their interests in the cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe.

Our schools all support students from disadvantaged backgrounds who for various reasons face social exclusion and challenges in finding further and higher education, training and employment opportunities. We will predominantly be focusing on our older students (aged between 15 and 19) due to the nature of the IBCP qualification, and supporting these students with careers and skills development guidance to help reduce the number of students at risk of early school leaving, and instead broaden their horizons to the opportunities for training and education in the common European marketplace.

Activities include:
1. Questionnaires – an initial questionnaire will be carried out to identify the following:
– Students needs regarding mindfulness, the form they want the mindfulness group to take and potential barriers to them attending the mindfulness group.
– Their current vision, effort, systems, practice and attitude towards learning.
A mid-point questionnaire will be completed to monitor progress and make adjustments where necessary. A final questionnaire will be completed to give us measurable outcomes.
2. Mindfulness group – based upon the feedback from the questionnaires, a drop-in mindfulness group will be established in both schools. Students and staff will be given the opportunity to practice breathing exercises, guided meditation and light yoga which they can then implement outside of the group.
3. Mindfulness mobility workbook – workbook for student visits locally and exchanges to encourage students to engage in their surroundings in a mindful way.
4. Mindset scheme of work and resources – development of activities to encourage students to be more resilient, independent and engaged in their learning, supported by their practice of mindfulness. This will focus on developing the five key skills identified by Griffin and Oakes – vision, effort, systems, practice and attitude. This will allow mindset to be taught as a discreet course or embedded within the curriculum, either over the course of a programme or as a series of focus days all depending on the needs of the school.

We hope to develop the skills our students and staff through this project, as well as have a lasting impact through developing close connections with our lo

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 80800 Eur

Project Coordinator

The Abbey School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Collège 14ekm