Global Teachers Programme

In 2011 WFT invested £261,000 over two years in Link Community Development - Scotland (LCDS) to deliver a pilot programme which will support 45 Head Teachers and Primary School Teachers in Scotland to embed Global Citizenship and International Education within their schools, the school’s learning community, and the Education Authority.

Developed in line with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), the Global Teachers Programme provides an opportunity for professional development through a meaningful overseas experience, followed by the creation of an international school link, and supported curricular development to maximise the impact of the Programme among Scottish teachers and learners in Scotland.

In 2012, LCDS will select, recruit and train 15 teachers from Aberdeenshire and South Lanarkshire to live and work in Uganda for 5 weeks over the Scottish summer holidays.  During this time, participating teachers will, supported by LCDS in-country staff, work within a local “host” school supporting local teachers in employing better teaching and learning methodologies, expanding leadership skills and implementing enhanced school improvement plans.  Upon return from Uganda, participating teachers will implement their Global Citizenship learning plan and begin the school link with their host Ugandan school.  In 2013, teachers from two additional Education Authorities will be invited to apply to the Global Teachers Programme to volunteer in either Uganda or Ghana. 

Over the two year pilot, 45 teachers from different primary schools across Scotland will work alongside 45 African teachers, and engage with an estimated 36,000 students in Scotland and Africa.  Upon their return, focus is very much on bringing Global Citizenship into their classrooms, sharing with peers and spreading through whole schools, communities and cities. 

To support the embedding of Global Citizenship, LCDS has designed a programme of pre-departure and follow up activity including: training, networking and best practice sharing to direct teachers towards appropriate and meaningful global teaching topics.  This will be complimented by the Link School Programme and an opportunity to apply for small activity grants to support teachers in maximising the impact of the experience on the Global Citizenship education of their students and school