Connect and Unite Erasmus Project

Project Title

Connect and Unite

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 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Teaching and learning of foreign languages

Project Summary

Our 2 year project called ‘ Connect and Unite’ set out to develop basic skills in maths, literacy and science through cross curricular teaching rich in IT, MFL and Art. Our priorities were to address underachievement in the basic skills of maths, science and literacy through more innovative teaching and learning. We wanted to strengthen the profile of the teaching profession and enhance the quality of early childhood education.
The project, brought together six primary schools of different sizes situated in very different locations across Europe – urban, rural, island, with pupils from a variety of socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Some partners had worked together before, others were new to the partnership.
Our schools have demonstrated a shared desire for international collaborative learning, developing tolerance and understanding amongst staff, pupils and whole school communities. Through the project we have further developed problem based active learning and thinking in our curriculums . We have established personalised learning environments where pupils and staff are motivated , tolerant, innovative and think creatively. We have engaged our parents in supporting their children’s learning. The themes of ‘Bridges’ and ‘Connections’ have been explored both literally and metaphhorically providing a wealth of opportunities for creative cross curricular teaching and learning.
The 2 year project has provided many opportunities for pupils and staff to travel to partner countries to participate in Learning, Teaching and Training activities and attend Transnational Project Meetings linked to project aims. All participants have acquired increased digital literacy through participation in our shared project Twinspace, through use of a variety of apps for animation, and language learning, and through communicating via mediums such as Skype, Google Meet. These opportunities have given pupils a very real context for the learning of modern foreign languages, as have the frequent opportunities for penpal exchanges.
The majority of our schools have been able to include training teachers in the project, enhancing their future employment prospects
We feel that our project has been extremely successful and that we have achieved and exceeded the majority of our objectives. This has been possible because of ongoing collaboration, good forward planning, dedication and enthusiasm. The themes of the project have inspired and motivated our pupils, staff and whole school communities. This is clearly evidenced on our Connect and Unite project Twinspace with its tremendous input from all participants.
All our partners schools and communities are enthusiastic to be involved in future collaboration as the benefits are clear to see. For example, there have been improvements in Early Literacy shown in improved Phonics Screening results in both UK partner schools this year. During the lifetime of this project the coordinating school has received full reaccreditation of the International School Award and also had a ‘Good’ OFSTED inspection, which clearly valued our international links.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 104375 Eur

Project Coordinator

Shoscombe CEVA Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Ecole élémentaire Lafon Féline
• St. Julian’s C of E Primary School
• 6o DIMOTIKO SXOLEIO KALYMNOU MANIAEIO
• Arden Skole
• FUNDACIO PRIVADA FUNDACIO CHAMPAGNAT (