Embedding an innovative Values Led School Culture. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Embedding an innovative Values Led School Culture.

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: Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development); Early School Leaving / combating failure in education; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

This project draws together two groups of primary schools in the rural cities of Alytus, Lithuania and Exeter, Great Britain; ten schools altogether. The schools have worked together to construct this project because the issues they are all dealing with on a day to day basis, are all connected through an overarching local, regional, national and international concern regarding social inclusion and the potential harmful impact it can have on school, local communities and national agenda. Through face to face meetings and joint cooperation the project encompasses a range of different schools in varying contexts and with a mixture of experience in international projects and leadership experiences. Collectively, this project aims at addressing the following aims and objectives:Aims:• to have a clear understanding of our own school values within the cultural context of our own region, country and European dimension• to explore leadership vision, values and moral purpose – its communication, delivery and impact; reflected through the curriculum, school ethos and embedded practice• to understand how schools can influence their community to bring about change so that it can reflect the culture developed in the school of inclusive practice, social equity and improved life chances for all• to prepare students for life in modern EU by embedding an innovative values led school culture.Objectives:1. to understand our own fundamental national values (British and Lithuanian)2. to reflect upon these values, discuss their implications to develop and celebrate their similarities and differences and meet the challenges within our schools of :• Cultural intolerance• Immigrants and refugees• Deprivation factors• Radicalization• National religious foundation. Social exclusion. Special educational needs• External pressures from government and society3. to build a cohesive and structured approach to dealing with the above issues in our own schools and local communities and develop a truly inclusive school ethos, culture and practice.4. to understand and address the leadership issues connected with these challenges.5. to develop our own national curricular to meet the challenges in an age appropriate way.6. to understand the best approach to curriculum development and change; developing ethos and culture; understanding and articulating moral culture. In doing so answer: – how to communicate these ideas to all school/community stake holders? – how we enable the facilitation of students own understanding and practice?We intend to adapt a range of activities and best practice methodology to achieve these aims and objectives to supply school leaders in the project and globally with the tools and resources, confidence and drive to aid harmonious school and local communities. These include:1. Transnational meetings, 2. Charter of European common school leadership values: 3. Fundamental Lithuanian/British values mapped across the curriculum: 4. Co-design and attend a training course to support school leaders understand and build values driven schools:5. Case studies from each school based on a relevant issue of inclusion for their school: 6. Established protocols to enable effective inter-visitations to observe action and impact in practice:7. Transnational cooperation through e’twinning and broader teacher, class, student interaction established between partner schools. 8. Promotion of student voice in all schools: 9.Share ideas of working more closely within the local community to raise the profile of inclusive practice.The impact of this project is far reaching not only for the schools involved but significantly for all schools facing issues of social inclusion and equity. The positive impact being evident with outcomes for individual students being greatly enhanced, academically, socially and emotionally, with long term impact on social cohesion, employability, stable and harmonious communities and prosperity. The longevity of the project will continue long after the funding due to the high degree of interaction with all stakeholders and the issue addressed being of national, European and international relevance.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 157925 Eur

Project Coordinator

Clyst Heath Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Alytaus Saltiniu pagrindine mokykla
• Alytaus Sakalelio pradine mokykla
• Pinhoe CE Primary School
• Alytaus Senamiescio pradine mokykla
• The Topsham School
• Alphington Primary School
• Bishopsteignton Primary School