In 2014 three Schools from Birmingham agreed to lead with 3 partner schools from Mandeville and successfully gained funding from "Connecting Classrooms" for teacher exchanges. A delegation from Birmingham went to Manchester High and to MacIntosh Memorial School in Spet 14. Cathorpe Special School and Woodlawn School of Special Education also successfully gained funding and are planning exchange visits.
Following the successful visit of Head Teacher Graham Hardy and Rhys Hancock from Calthorpe Special School in 2013, we established a link between Birmingham Special Schools and Special Schools across Jamaica - working with the Special Education Unit in Jamaica.
In 2011 / 12 over 20 Birmingham schools explored developing links with schools in Region 5 in Jamaica and other areas - see below!
Great speakers and demonstrations with opportuntities to meet creative artistes were appreciated by teachers from Birmingham at the Birmingham Jamaica School Conference held in February 2012 to follow up the Autumn visit from Education Officers and Principal from Region 5 in Jamaica.
Liz Millman with Nadine Leachman, Director of Education, Jamaican Ministry Region 5, completing the GSP forms to get a successful exchange of Head Teachers and Education Officers in November 2011.
“I would like to give my support for this new approach as it is in keeping with the Ministry of Education's objective to establish and strengthen partnerships in improving the quality of educational delivery, also based on our exposure and experiences to the benefits accrued from the Global Schools Partnership experiences, we support the continued efforts of Learning Links International to link the schools in Birmingham with schools in Region 5. I look forward to the rich educational experiences which will enhance student development”.
Dr. Nadine Leachman, Director of Education, Ministry Region 5
The great reciprocal visit made by a team from Birmingham in February 2012 which enabled discussions with key members of the Ministry of Education Region 5 Team and the Minister of Education, Hon. Ronald Thwaites as well.
Further discussions and consultations have enabled us to set the scene for the development of schools links between UK and Jamaican schools under "Widening Horizons" with agreement with the Ministry of Education about the possible ways forward.
An application for funding to support this approach was submitted to the British High Commission in July 2013 which was unfortunatley not successful.
