Students in class
Connecting Classrooms

About the programme

With the ever changing nature of the world as we know it, socially, economically and environmentally, it’s vital that young citizens know their place in the world.

Our global education programme for schools, Connecting Classrooms, is specifically designed to help teachers do this.

We aim to give all young people the opportunity to succeed in a globalised society. Connecting Classrooms enables students and their teachers to:

  • understand issues of worldwide importance
  • gain a sense of social responsibility
  • develop skills to succeed in the global economy.

Since we launched Connecting Classrooms in 2006, we’ve supported over 200 school links between the UK , Sub-Sahara and Zimbabwe, delivered courses and online training to over 1000 Zimbabwean teachers, and developed the leadership skills of another 500 head teachers across the country.

"The workshop gave us an insight into international standards which will enable us to improve our school systems in order to build global citizens, and especially the art of engaging the important stakeholders in the community." (Enock Chinyowa, District Education Officer)

How we're connecting classrooms

Classrooms are connected in a variety of ways, including partnerships, online collaborations, grants for teachers to visit their partner schools, professional development opportunities and the International School Award (ISA).

Partnerships

Is your school involved in a partnership with a school overseas? If so, you could be eligible for funding from the Connecting Classrooms programme. Getting involved will help you develop your young people as global citizens and as a teacher, you will also benefit through sharing best practice with colleagues in other countries.

You can be part of this exciting initiative.

It’s free and simple to set up your first partnership, and we can help you incorporate global themes into your school’s curriculum and build lasting international relationships.

Grants are also available to help you set up visits with partner schools and to support projects.

If you’re interested or want to know more, check the British Council Schools Online website, or contact us

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

We also offer workshops and online courses to help you get the most out of school partnerships.

Our online courses provide information and advice on:

  • the Connecting Classrooms programme
  • education for global citizenship
  • inter-cultural and global awareness
  • successful, lasting partnerships.
  • ICT for international collaboration
  • English for international exchange

To register and get started on one of our courses visit the Connecting Classrooms Learning website.

You can also get involved with a face-to-face workshop, tailored specifically for Zimbabwean teachers and focused on promoting global citizenship. The programme is divided into introductory and advanced level and is designed to:

  • enable you to share experiences and knowledge
  • benefit you whether you have basic or extensive global citizenship and international experience
  • renew enthusiasm
  • generate new ideas you can implement at school
  • encourage and equip you to strengthen the international nature of your school’s curriculum.

We also have another course designed to help school leaders make international education work in their schools. This is a modular programme of up to 20 modules that can be tailored to local need.

If you want to get involved, contact us at Zanele.Mukwedeya@britishcouncil.org.zw.

International School Award

With the International School Award (ISA), we recognise schools that have shown a strong commitment to their partner schools – or; those which continue to enrich their students’ lives, inspiring interest in international cultures and global issues.

Visit the ISA pages on the British Council Schools Online website to learn more and find out how to get involved.

Policy dialogue

We are building relationships and networking, working with education policy makers, encouraging them to develop best practice in education and global citizenship and support Zimbabwe's national priorities.

We’ll organise visits between participating countries, and inspire you to exchange and challenge ideas at international conferences.

Contact Zanele.Mukwedeya@britishcouncil.org.zw to learn more.

More information

Visit the Connecting Classrooms website to find out more about the Connecting Classrooms programme and to learn how you can get involved.