eye on the world issue 4

Issue 4: Summer 2010

The best of the International Primary Curriculum from around the globe

2

www.internationalprimarycurriculum.com

3

3 Welcome all!

4 Thoughts from Martin Learningthroughmultiplelenses

5 An IPC unit in action AllAboutMefromIPCEarlyYears

6 Making the IPC work for you SharinglearningusingtheIPCMembers’Lounge

8 IPC News ReportingfromaroundtheIPCworld

10 The Best of the IPC Justsomeofwhat’sgoingonwiththeIPCaroundtheworld

12 The Interview Page WetalktoCharlesGellarabouthisyearsofteachingandleading inaninternationalschool

14 What’s New from the IPC IntroducingthenewIPCRoutePlannerandenjoyingnewIPCWorld Cuplearning

15 Competition page Camera,lightsaction–chancetowinadigitalcameraforyourclass!

16 The Surgery AnsweringeverythingyoueverwantedtoknowabouttheIPC

18 Meet the IPC Events team IntroducingyoutoStevieandLori

19 A Focus on Learning HowtheLookingforLearningToolkitisenhancinglearningwiththeIPC

In this issue

Front cover:EightyearoldGíslifromtheInternationalSchoolofIcelandwithteacherMirjamDeWaardviewingfirst-handtheeruptingEyjafjallajökullVolcanoinIceland(readmoreabouttheirfirst-handexperiencesofthevolcanoonpage7).

2


3

DearColleagues,

IPCSummerSchoolisjustaroundthecorner.It’salwaysanexcitingtimeforallofusfromtheoffice.Achancetoactuallysee,face-to-face,somanypeoplewhowespendtherestoftheyearcommunicatingwithbyemailortelephone,evenviaIPCBlog,FacebookandTwittertoothesedays.We’venoticedthisrecentlyintheHague,Doha,SingaporeandWales;attheregionalconferencesthathavetakenplacethisyear.Theenergyandenthusiasmofhavingsomanypeoplealltogetherateachoftheseeventswasphenomenal.Experienceswereshared,lotsoflearningwentonandwegottoknowsomanypeoplewho,untilthatpoint,werejustnames.Itmadesuchadifference.Asoneteacherputit:“nowIreallyfeelpartofabigandspeciallearningcommunity”.Wefeelthatwaytoo.

ThemostrecentconferencewasinWalesat,thebrandnewGlanUskPrimarySchoolinNewport.Whatafantasticbuilding!Whendesigningthebuilding,theplanningteamtookintoconsiderationthelearningapproachesusedwiththeIPCtohelpteachersenhancethelearningopportunitiesforthechildren.Howluckyarethey!Thedaybeforetheconferencebegan,takingadvantageofbeinginNewport,wevisitedanotherIPCmemberschool;oneinacompletelydifferentenvironment.ThiswasSt.Andrew’sJuniorSchoolinMaindeewheretheschooliswellover100yearsold,littleaboutthebuildinghasbeenmodernised,andconcreteandinnercitydominate.Needlesstosay,therewasabuzzofexcitementeverywhereyouwent.Therewasnoise,butitwasenthusiastic,learning-focusednoise.Therewerekidsupanddownfromtheirseats,butitwasbecauseofengaged,activelearning.Therewerechildrenbartering,childrenworkingwithwire,childrencalculatingandmeasuringpapertocut...allwithafocusonlearning.

MartinSkeltonfrequentlyremindsusthatit’snottheplacethatmatters,it’sthelearningthat’sgoingoninitthatdoes.Itwasbroughthometoussomuchthatdaywhenwehadthechancetocomparethesetwoschools.Thelearningthatwasgoingon–andcontinuestogoon-inbothschoolsisphenomenal.Wefeelhonouredtobeassociatedwithbothofthem.

Hopetoseeyouface-to-faceatSummerSchool!

Withbestwishes,

JaniceIreland,AnneKeelingandtheIPCTeam

Welcome all!

Summer School willbetakingplacefromJuly 26th to 28thinGreenwich,London.ThisisthebigIPCeventoftheyearwhenteachers,teachingassistants,schoolleadersandadvisorsallcometogethertolearn,shareexperiencesandnetworkwithschoolsfromallovertheworld.Itdoesn’tmatterhowexperiencedyouareorhowlongyouhavebeenlearningwiththeIPC,ifatallandit’snottoolatetosignup.FormoreinformationcontactourEventsCoordinator,[email protected]

Andanotherdatetomarkinyourdiary–the IPC Leadership Conference(Leading Skills-Based Learning – Putting Skills at the Heart of 21st Century Learning)whichwilltakeplacethisyearattheInternationalSchoolofLondoninSurrey,EnglandonOctober 14th and 15th.

4


5

Martin Skelton is the co-founder and Managing Director of Fieldwork

Education and he designed and was Founding Director of the IPC. Martin continues to be closely involved in its development and is passionate about learning and helping schools to improve learning. Here Martin talks about learning through multiple lenses.

TheEuropeanairshut-downearlierthisyearwasinterestingtowatchandeven(forthoseofuscaughtupinit)interestingtobeapartof.Sohowdowetalkaboutit?

Well,scientifically,ofcourse.Preciselywhatdamagemightbedonetoplaneengines?Whatwastheprecisemake-upofthevolcanicash?

Orperhaps,environmentally.Whatistheimpactonthosevillagesandtownsclosetothevolcanooronthosethathadvolcanicdepositsfallonthem?

Orperhapssocially.Whatdoyoudowhenpeoplearguewithothersonovercrowdedplatformsorinpackedairportqueues?Howdoyoudecidewhodeservestogetthefirstavailableplaneshome?

Orperhapsgeographically?HowdoIgetfromMilantoLondonwithouta

plane?Whatdomyjourneyoptionslooklike?WhattransportcouldIuse?

Orperhapsethically?Howmuchshouldairlineschargeforafarehomewhenpeoplehavenochoicebuttotakeit?Whathappenstopeoplewhosavedupalltheirmoneyforaholidaytheydeserveandnowarerelyingontheircreditcardtosurviveanenforcedextendedholidaystay?

Orperhapspolitically?Shouldtheairlinesbecompensatedbydecisionsbeyondtheircontrol,madebycommitteesacrossEurope?Wasthisagoodexampleofpan-Europeancooperationorabadexample?

Justafewdaysthatimpactedpeopleinmanycountriesaroundtheworld-andmanydifferentlensesthroughwhichwecanlookatwhathappened.Whateveritwas,itwasn’tandstillisn’tasingle-issueissue,asmostthingsaren’tthesedays.

Tryingtodescribeorletpeople‘see’yourlocaltownthroughonlyonelensisflat-outmisleading.It’sageographical,social,historical,artisticplace,andmore.Dealingwithenvironmentalissuesisscientific(whatistheevidencetellingus),social(whatimpactisithavingonpeopleforbetterandworse),geographical(whereisthishappeningandhasithappened

before),international(itisn’tjustinmycountry)andpolitical(howdowebuildcooperationtodosomethingaboutit).

Onelensjustwon’tdoanymore.Onlybyusingmultiplelenseswillweslowlydevelopourunderstandingandappreciationofeachotherandtheissuesweface.Sohowcanwehelpchildrendevelopthisimportantability?

Onewayistochangethewaychildrenlearninschools.Itmakesalotofsensetoaskchildrentolearndifferentsubjectsanddifferentwaysofthinkingbutitmakesnosensetoaskthemtodothisindependentlyofeachother.Doingsomeansthatchildrenlearna‘onelensatatime’approachtotheissuesaroundthem.

That’swhylearningintheIPCisfocusedonthemes.Themesequatetotheissues.Butitisalsowhyeachthemeisrigorouslyorganisedsothatchildrendotwothingssimultaneously.First,throughstudyingsubjectsoverlongerperiodsoftimetheylearndifferentwaysofthinkingandknowing.Second,bylinkingmultiplesubjectstotheonetheme,theycometolearnovertimethatlookingthroughdifferentlensesdevelopsamorerounded,coherentandhelpfulviewoftheworld.It’saskillandattitudethat’sa21st

centuryessential.

Thoughts from MartinLearningthroughmultiplelenses

4


5

The IPC All About Me unit for Early Years children is an ideal unit to start the new school year.

It gives you a chance to get to know your new children and the things and people that matter to them. For nursery and reception children, it helps to introduce the IPC learning process to them using a topic that they feel familiar and safe with. Here are some of the learning experiences and ideas from a number of schools who have used and enjoyed All About Me:

“TheactivitiesinAllAboutMehelpedmepersonallytogettoknowthechildrenandstartdevelopingpositiverelationshipswiththem.ForPaintingandCaptionGrid5,Ineededparent’scooperation(providingtheirchildrenwithphotosoftheirfamilyorhouse)anditalsoofferedmeusefulinformationonthechildren’sbackgroundsothatIcoulddrawonthechildren’slearningathomeandincludeitintomyplanning.Theunitprovedtobeveryflexibleandcouldbeeasilytailoredtotheneedsofoursettingandchildren.”Markéta Musiolova, International School in Olomouc, Czech Republic

“Thechildrenlearntabouttheirfivesensesandhowtousethem:Forthesenseoftouchtheyfeltdifferenttypesofmaterialsandcommentedontheirtexture.Forthesenseofsmelltheysmelleddifferentthingssuchasperfumeandonionandlearntaboutthegoodandbadsmells.Forthesenseofsighttheyfeltdifferentshapeswhileblindfolded.Forthesenseofhearingtheylistenedtodifferentsoundsandtriedtoidentifythem.Andforthesenseoftaste,theysampleddifferenttypesoffoodincludingsweetandsour.Itwasinterestingtoseechildrenopeningupandbeingvocalaboutthemselves.”Teachers of Oshwal Kindergarten, Nairobi, Kenya

“WefoundthatAllAboutMewasafantastictopictostarttheyearwith.Itencouragedchildrentodiscussthemselvesandtheirhomelife.Itprovidedopportunitiestocomparepastandpresent,developasenseofidentity,learnaboutandrespectotherpeople’swayoflife,lookattheirownhomesandcomparethemtoothersaroundtheworld,andinitiateconversationswithstaff.Ithelpedustogettoknowthechildrenandaidedsecureattachmentsinoursetting.”Foundation Stage teachers at Packmoor Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent, England

“AllAboutMeenabledthechildrentoadjustquicklyintheirnewclassesandwiththeirnewfriends.Thechildrendevelopedappropriaterelationshipsandinteractedwithchildrenfromotherculturalbackgrounds.Theyalsobecameawareoftheworldaroundthem;firsttheawarenessoftheirownnationalityandthenthenationalityofotherchildrenintheirclass.”Mary Omu, Headteacher, Educare Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“IextendedAllAboutMetoincludemoreaboutthesensesandhealthyeating.Iinvitedadoctor,theschoolnurseandanopticiantocomeintoschoolandtalktothechildren.Wevisitedalocalhospitalandthechildrenhadtheopportunitytolookaroundandhavebandagesandplastersputontotheirpretendwounds.Ialsoinvitedaparenttobringherbabytoschoolandthechildrenhelpedtobaththebaby.”Jackie Sedlak, Ben Rhydding Primary School, Bradford, England

An IPC unit in actionAllAboutMe

DrawingoutlinesattheInternationalSchoolinOlomouc,CzechRepublic

WorkingonaselfportraitatPackmoorPrimarySchoolinStoke-on-Trent,England

LearningaboutdifferentnationalitiesatEducarePortHarcourtinNigeria

BabyclinicroleplayatBenRhyddingPrimarySchool,Bradford,England

6


7

There are several ways that IPC member schools can currently share learning through the

IPC Members’ Lounge and it’s something that we’re planning to develop further, based on your requests and suggestions. Here we interview several teachers who have been using the Members’ Lounge to benefit the learning in their own schools. In addition, we do our own bit of sharing… first hand learning experiences of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano by the children of the International School of Iceland.

Nicky Simmons is Headteacher of Whoberley Hall Primary School in Coventry, England. We ask Nicky about using the free PD podcasts on the Members’ Lounge to extend teachers learning at Whoberley Hall:

Eye on the World What inspired you to use the IPC PD podcasts from the Members Lounge?

NickyWereceivedanemailfromIPCwithalinktothepodcasts.Ihadaquicklookatthefirsttwo.Theywereveryfocusedonlearningandreallyquiteinspired.Ilikedthem.Ilikedtherelaxedapproach,thegoodquestionsatalevelappropriatetoalltheteachers,andthefactthattheywereallaboutlearningwithoutbeingtooprescriptive.

EotWHow have you shared this learning experience with your staff?

NickyWehadateacherlearningdayandwentthroughtheknowledge,skillsandunderstandingpodcastthen.MartinSkeltonhaddonethepodcastanditwasexcellent.Itopenedupalotofdebate.Itwasveryaccessible,easytouse,veryshortandsharp;perfectforwhatweneeded.Itwasreallygoodforunlockingthemagicoflearningforus.

EotW Did the podcast help you to take action in the classroom setting?

NickyYes,totally.Ithashelpeduswiththepedagogyofwhatgoodlearningis;notsomuchaboutthecurriculum,butaboutgoodlearning.Forme,IPCisoneelementoflearningandevenifyouweren’tanIPCschool,thesepodcastswouldberelevantasthey’re

verygenericandallaboutlearning.OneoftheoutcomeswasweturnedKnowledge,SkillsandUnderstandingintoatableinourParents’Book.Thishelpedtoshowalltheworkthechildrenaregoingtodo,brokendownintoknowledge,skillsandunderstandingandit’shelpedparentstorealisetheycandothingsoutsideofschooltohelpchildrenwiththeirlearning.It’salsohelpedustoproduceareallysoundlearningpolicyrelevanttotheschool.

EotW Do you have any advice for other schools about using the Podcasts?

NickyDon’tthinkyouhavetousealloftheminonego.Dipinandoutofthemasrelevantcircumstancesarise.Anddon’tjustusethepodcastsonce;you’llcomebacktothemwithmoreinformationandexperiencetodrawon.

Lookforthe9IPCBeginningCoursepodcastsontheIPCMembers’Lounge–theyarefreeforIPCmemberschools.

At Oshwal Academy in Mombasa, the IPC Members’ Lounge helps to keep teachers in touch with

ideas from other schools around the globe. Teachers Safia Kadarnani, Tej Main and Mercy Ezara explain:

EotW How has the Resources Room helped you?

Ifoundthe‘blogforum’particularlyhelpfulwhenlookingforideastopromotethePersonalGoalsinourday-todayclassroomactivities.Mike Horton, Headmaster, British School of Chicago, USA

Making the IPC work for youSharingLearningusingtheIPCMembers’Lounge

6


7

MercyIt’sprovidedpracticallearningresourcesthathavereallysupportedtheIPClearningintheclassroom.Forexample,intheExplorersandAdverturersunit,thechildrenhadtheopportunitytoplayinterestinggamesinrelationtomapprojectionsandthisopenedthemuptolookingattheworldmapfromdifferentperspectives.

EotW How about the Blog Room?

Safia and TejIt’sgivenusthechancetoposequestionsaswellasshareourownexperienceswithothers.TheReadingRoomhasalsoprovidedopportunitiestogetfeedbackabouthowlearninghastakenplacefromteachersallaroundtheworldwhichhasenabledustoovercomesomeofourownchallenges.

Iceland has been the centre of world attention for a number of months due to the eruption of the

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano. Some of the children from the International School of Iceland were actually able to get up close to the volcano while it was erupting along with Maths and Science teacher Mirjam de Waard (you can see her on the front cover). “We were about 250 metres way from the crater,” she says. “It was scary, cold (minus 18°C) and exciting; I have never seen or experienced something like that ever in my life. My blood and genes kept sending the danger message: Run! And my eyes and feet were paralysed by the beauty of the volcano.” Here are some write-ups about the volcano from children at the International School of Iceland:

“WhenIfoundoutthatEyjafjallajökullhaderuptedIwaslike,weareallgoingtodie!ThenIfoundoutitwasn’tevendangerous.AmonthaftertheeruptionstartedIwenttotheVestmannsislands;someislandsthatareinthewestofIceland.FromthereIcouldseetheashcloudreallywellandatnight,whenthesunwasshiningonit,itwouldbecomepink.”Karvel, Grade 6

“WhenEyjafjallajökullerupted,itdidn’taffecttheareaofwhereIlive,althoughtheairportwasclosedandveryfew

flightswerecominginfromEuropetoIcelandandviceversa.IgotafacemaskandgoggleswhichtheAmericanEmbassyprovidedformyfamilyandme,althoughIdidn’tneedtousethem.Forthemostpart,lifewasthesameformealthoughIdoadmittobeingalittlescaredatthethoughtofavolcanoerupting.”Mazal, Grade 8

“IwatchedtheBritishnewsandthemainstorywasthevolcanicash.IsaidinmyheadthatnowtheyprobablyknowwhereIcelandis.”Elis, Grade 7

“Whenthevolcanofirststartedtoerupt,IthoughtitwasstupidhowthemediamadepeoplethinkthiswassolethalanddangerouswhileIwassittingcomfortablyinmyhouse,notfeelingtheeffectofthissocalled‘end-of-the-worldvolcano’.ItwaswhenIwasgoingtothe80thbirthdayofmygrandmotherinNorwaythatIstartedtofeeltheglobaleffects.MeandmyfamilycouldnotgetonanyplanetoNorwaybecauseoftheashwhichwasdisruptingaviationtraffic.”Axel, Grade 6

All the pictures and write-ups from the International School of Iceland are now available in the

Resources Room of the IPC Members’ Lounge.

TheMembersLoungedoesensurethatwefeelwearepartoftheIPClearningcommunity,andthatwearenotouttherealone!Keith Atkins, Headteacher, Gors Community School, Wales

PicturestakenduringtheInternationalSchoolofIcelandtriptoviewtheEyjafjallajökullVolcanoerupting.

8


9

Congratulations to a number of schools who have recently achieved IPC Accreditation.

They include the International School of London in Surrey, England and the International School of Eerde in The Netherlands which have both achieved IPC Developing Level Accreditation, and at Mastering Level, Piasau School in Miri, Malaysia, the British School of Chicago in the USA and Hollandse School in Singapore. Every school approaches and tracks progress for IPC Accreditation in different ways. Hollandse tracked theirs on-line and we found out more about this for Eye On The World.

“Wedidn’tputourSelfReviewonpaper,notoncd-rom,butonaspeciallydevelopedHollandse/IPCwebsite,”saysPeterWassink,Principleoftheschool.“TheideastartedfromtheInternationalSchooloftheHague.TheyhadaDVDfortheirIPCAccreditationandwethoughtitwasafantasticidea.Wedecidedthatwewantedsomethingsimilarbutthatcouldcontinuetoprovetheaccreditation

processasitprogressed.Wefeltitwasimportantfortheteacherstobeabletocontinuouslyputupnewproofsofwhatthechildrenarelearningandwhatwearedoingtohelpthathappen.Usinganonlineprogramme,wecangoonwithplacingevidence,sothatwecanprovecontinuouslythatHollandseisonMasteringLevel.”

ThroughouttheworktowardsAccreditation,PetersaysteachersatHollandsefoundtheonlineprogrammehelpful.“Fortheteachers,itbecame

moreclearwhatwasexpectedfromthemwhentheycouldseeexamples,”saysPeter.“Aswebuiltupourevidence,itcamemuchclearerwhichareasrequiredmorework.Ithelpedtokeepusallveryfocusedofwhatweneededtodo.”

EgmondBoon,theICTspecialistandateacheratHollandse,createdtheprogramme.“InthebeginningIdidtheuploadingbutitwasjustamatteroftimebeforetheteachersweredragginganddroppingpicturesandaddingcomments.Theintentionwastomakeitaseasyaspossiblefortheteacherstodropintheirproof,”hesays.

AtthemomentthispartoftheHollandsewebsiteisonlyaccessibletostaff.“Butwe’dliketomakeitaccessibletoparentsandtothepublictoo,”saysPeter.“Fortheparents,sothattheycanseewhatthechildrenaredoingatschool.AndforotherIPCschoolstoseewhatwehavedonetoachieveAccreditationhere.AnewIPC-standardperhaps?”

Hollandse School tracks IPC Accreditation on-line

IPC NewsReportingfromaroundtheIPCworld

WouldyouliketobeanIPCreporter?Sendusyourstory(inabout100words)andanelectronicphotographandwe’lltryandincludeyouinaforthcomingissueofEye On The World.EmailyournewstoJaniceIrelandatjanice@[email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you!

8


9

IPC Headteacher meets British Prime Minister

Swaziland joins the IPC world community

Jon Trotter, Headteacher at Handford Hall Primary School in Ipswich, England met with

the former Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street this Spring; one of Gordon Brown’s final duties before stepping down as Britain’s leader. The reason was to honour Jon for his contribution to the community. Chris Mole, the local MP who accompanied Jon to Downing Street said “I have always been impressed with the way Jon embraces innovative teaching methods, striving to enable his pupils and staff to achieve their full potential.”

Jon,whowillberetiringinthesummersays,“Wehadaguidedtourofthe

cabinetroomsatNo.10.It’sliketheTardis!IfeelveryhonouredtohavehadthechancetotalktothePrimeMinister.Heslappedmeonthebackandsaid‘youneverforgetagoodteacher’.”

JonhasworkedwiththeIPCforseveralyearsatHandfordHall.“It’sabsolutelyterrific,”hesays.“It’sabsolutelyfuture-proofingourchildren.”JonhasalsobeenworkingwiththeLookingforLearningToolkitatHandfordHallforthepasttwoyears.“TheLookingforLearningToolkitisafantasticpieceofwork,”hesays.“Ittakesyourteachersbacktosquareoneaboutwhatwe’redoingwithchildren.Andwhenit’sdone

incombinationwiththeIPC,it’shugelypowerful.”

Swaziland has joined the IPC world community as the 60th country to be working with the IPC. The

first school in Swaziland to introduce the IPC is in the town of Bulembu, a town that is now representing new hope for the whole country.

MiningbeganinBulembuinthe1900’s,firstforgoldandlaterforasbestos.Atitspeaktherewere10,000residentsinBulembu.Whenthedangersofasbestosbecamerecognised,theminehadtobeliquidatedleavingtheworkersofBulembujoblessresultinginthetownbecomingvirtuallyabandoned.AtthesametimeHIV/AIDSbegantoravagethecountry(Swazilandhasthehighestinfectionrateinthe

worldat38%)whichhasresultedinover100,000orphansandanegativepopulationgrowthsodevastatingthatby2050,ifnothingchanges,thepopulationispredictedtobezero.

Howeverin2006,agroupofentrepreneursandsocialdeveloperspurchasedtheabandonedtownwiththeaimofrestoringBulembutoavibrant,self-sustainingcommunityby2020.Theultimategoal;toraiseSwazileaderstotransformthetownandtransformthenation.AndtheBulembuChristianAcademyhasselectedtheIPCtohelpestablishthelearningfoundationstoachievejustthat.

EyeOnTheWorldspoketotheDirectorofTrainingandDevelopmentatBulembuChristianAcademy,DennisNevillewhosays:“TheIPCprogrammewillprovideuswithagoodfoundationforourchildrenastheygrowwithintheschool.Weareaimingtoestablishtherightfoundationsfromtheearlyyearsofourchildren’sdevelopmenttoadequatelypreparethewholepersonforlearning.IPCisprovidinguswiththeperfecttooltodothisowingtoitsbroadapproachandthefactthatitconnectsallthedifferentaspectsoflifelearning.OurteachersareeagertodeveloptheirskillsandIfeelthey

willbenefitfrombeinggivenfreshperspectivesonteachingandlearning.IamtremendouslyexcitedabouttheopportunityofbeingpartofaworldwidecommunityofschoolsalllearningwiththeIPC.ThisgivesmegreathopeforthefutureofSwazilandandourSouthernAfricanregion.”

Dennissaysthatwithintheyear,theyarehopingtheschoolwillhaveinternetaccesswhich,combinedwiththeIPChesayswillhelptoexposethechildrentotherestoftheworld.“IwantthemtorealisethattheyareSwazichildrenbutalsopartofaglobalvillage.TheIPCwillhaveabigparttoplayinthis.”

OthernewcountriestorecentlyjointheIPCworldfamilyincludeJordan,thePhilippines,ScotlandandThailand.

Jonat10DowningStreetwith(LtoR)SarahBrown,Jon,ChrisMoleMPandPrimeMinisterGordonBrownMP

10


11

The best of the IPCJustsomeofwhat’sgoingonwiththeIPCaroundtheworld

Children from Bishop Childs Primary School in Cardiff, Wales come face to face with real rainforest creatures during the IPC Rainforest unit.

Key Stage 2 children

from St. Christopher’s

International Primary

School in Penang,

Malaysia decorate a

school hoarding in the

theme of IPC units.

Nursery children

at the Shell School

in Damascus, Syria

make porridge as

part of the IPC

Bears unit.

As part of the IPC unit Time Detectives, teachers from Seashell Primary School in Sur, Oman transformed the

outside play area into an archaeological dig.

Year 6 students at Discovery Bay

International School in Lantau Island, Hong Kong take part in an enforced migration as part of the IPC Migration unit.

10


11

Year 6 students at Discovery Bay

International School in Lantau Island, Hong Kong take part in an enforced migration as part of the IPC Migration unit.

Children at the

brand new Westcoast

International Primary

School in Mauritius take

part in promoting a saving

water campaign around the

neighbourhood as part of

the IPC Water unit.

The Grade 4 class

at the International

School of Havana

in Cuba take part in

Jump Rope for Heart, a

worldwide event that they

participated in during

their IPC Health and

Fitness unit.

The things we have to do! Teachers throw themselves well and truly into role play to launch the IPC Holiday unit at SS Simon and Jude Primary School in Bolton, England.

A Year 4 student

from Chestnuts Primary

School in Milton Keynes,

England takes part in a

night time site inspection of

the school building after a

mock ‘earthquake’ as

part of the IPC Active

Planet unit.

As part of the IPC Jobs unit, grade 1 students at My Little House School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were invited by a parent who is a radiologist, to visit his clinic.

The Panthers from

Year 1 at Kedington

Primary School in

Suffolk, England learn

bricklaying during their

IPC unit The Jobs That

People Do.

12


13

Charles Gellar is considered one of the true mavericks of international education and

has been an enormously committed and active participant for many years. Charles was one of the first school leaders to introduce the International Baccalaureate programme – in 1968. He served on the Board of ECIS for several years and took a key role in the development of the ECIS Accreditation Programme. He also co-edited the International Schools Journal. Charles is Director of the Brussels English Primary Schools (BEPS) and founder of the World International School in Belgium, and is a big supporter of the IPC.

EOTW You have been involved in education for many years. How and when did you start working with international schools?

CharlesI’vebeenworkingwithinternationalschoolsfor43years!ItallstartedduringmytimeintheUSmilitary.I’dtrainedasachemistryengineeratMITandasanofficerhadtodoalotofteachingwhichIfoundIreallyliked.IwastravellingwiththearmyinGermany,England,Lebanonandteachingduringsomeofthistime.WhenIgotoutofthearmyIdecidedtogointoteachingandin1967gotmyfirstinternational

teachingposition,teachingscienceattheInternationalSchoolofBrussels.ThefollowingyearanopportunitycameupasaHeadmasteratthethensmallCopenhagenInternationalSchool.Iwasthere17yearsduringwhichtimewebecameoneoftheveryfirstIBschoolsevenbeforeformalexaminationswereoffered.

EOTW What are the most significant changes that you’ve seen in international schools during this time?

CharlesWhenIwasfirstteachingoverseas,mostinternationalschoolswerethinkingofthemselvesastemporary;theywererentingratherthanbuyinglandandproperty

andwereonlyofferingshort-termemploymentcontracts.Astheyearswenton,realisationdawnedthatinternationalschoolsmightbehereforthelonghaul.Inthoseearlydays,veryfewschoolsweretrulyinternational.Noweveryonerealisestheterm‘international’haspullingpowerbutthenitwastheotherwayround.Everyonestillwantedtobeanationalschool,justlocatedinanothercountry.BeingheadofoneofthefirstIBschools,Iwasverymuchatthecoreofitsgrowthandattendedmostofitsmeetings.IttookquiteawhiletogettotwentyschoolsbutnowthereareIBschoolsallovertheworld.

EOTW You yourself spearheaded a number of notable initiatives. Which are most significant to you?

CharlesBeingtheHeadofanumberofinternationalschoolsformany,manyyearsissomethingI’mveryproudof.Forme,otherthingsofnotearethatIservedontheboardofECISfor12years,waschairmanoftheinitialECISAccreditationcommitteewhich,whenIwasappointed,wasacommitteeofone-me!Isetupahard-workingcommittedcommitteeand,atatimewhenAmericaninfluencecouldhavetakenover,ensuredthattheECISAccreditationprogrammestrengthenedandremained

IthinkinternationalschoolsonthewholearemoreexplicitaboutuniversalvaluesthanmostnationalschoolsandIbelievetheseareabsolutelyessentialforthesurvivalofhumankind.

The IPC interviewCharlesGellar

12


13

independent.AllthiswhilejugglingbeingHeadofSchooland,atdifferentperiods,ateacherofchemistry,physics,mathematicsandtheTheoryofKnowledgecourse!

Inaddition,Ispent12yearsasco-editoroftheInternationalSchoolsJournalandleadthecommitteethatcreatedtheAwardforInternationalUnderstanding.AnothersignificantachievementinmylifetimeisthatmywifeandIhavejustcelebrated50yearsofmarriage!

EOTW International schools play a critical role in the life of an expatriate child. From your experience, what do you consider to be the most important responsibilities of an international school?

CharlesIwouldsaytogiveaworldperspective,notjustanationalone.IthinkinternationalschoolsonthewholearemoreexplicitaboutuniversalvaluesthanmostnationalschoolsandIbelievetheseareabsolutelyessentialforthesurvivalofhumankind.Inaddition,inmyownschoolIwantedchildrentolearninabeautifulschoolthattheylovedtobein.Someparentswouldmakecommentslike‘thisisalittleEden,it’snottherealworld’.ButIwantedtogiveourchildrenanideaofwhatthingsreallycouldbelike;togivethemsomethingthattheythemselvescouldaspiretocreate.Ihavechildrenwhocomebackasadultsandtellmethingslike‘IlovedBEPS’.Thefactthattheyremembertheirprimaryschoolinsuchawaymeanssuchalottome.

EOTW Do you think there are any lessons that national schools can learn from international schools?

CharlesYes,topromoteanethicaldimension;beinternationally-mindedandtoengenderuniversalvaluesamongstyourpupils.Compassionisoneofthecrucialuniversalvaluesandvitalforchildrentolearn.

EOTW How important do you think it is for primary age children to learn to be internationally-minded today and why?

CharlesIt’sabsolutelycrucial.Ourworldisbecomingsointerconnectedandworksoglobalthatourchildrenwilldoubtlessgrowuptobelivingandworkingalongsidepeopleofmany,manycultures.Ourchildrenwillbebetterabletomakepositive

connectionswitheveryoneiftheygrowupinternationally-minded.

EOTW You have been working with the International Primary Curriculum for several years at the BEPS schools. How do you think the IPC contributes to your schools?

CharlesItcontributesimmensely.TheIPCphilosophyisexactlythesameasmine;oneofpromotingaquestioning,open-endedlearningenvironmentwherechildrenhavetograpplewithquestionstocomeupwiththeanswersratherthanjustbeinggiventheanswersonaplate.IthinktheIPClearninggoalsarecrucialas,whenyou’vegotanopen-endedcurriculum,it’sthelearninggoalsthatyouhavetofocuson.Thegoalsandhowchildrenquestion,exploreandcollaboratetoachievethem,areactuallymoreimportantthanthefinalanswers.

EOTW Why did you make a change to the IPC and how significant has that change been for your children and your teachers?

CharlesWespentthreeyearspreparingandthenthreeyearsimplementingtheIB’sPrimaryYearsProgramme(PYP)andthemoralegotlowerandloweramongsttheteachersthroughoutthattime.Therewereseveralreasonsforthis.There’sahugeamountof‘motherhenning’withthePYP.Theywantedtoseeeverythingthatwasplanned.Wehadtohavestaffmeetingsallthetime.Ifeltlikewewerehavingtore-inventthewheelbecausewehadtowritethecurriculumatalllevelsandineverysubject.Becauseofthatwewereatthemercyofteacherswhowerenotexpertsinwritingcurricula.Toaddto

this,IfeltPYPwasmoreinterestedinprocessthaninthecontentofwhatwasbeingtaughtandhowwellthechildrenwerelearning.SowemadethechangetotheIPCandthegrowthhasbeenphenomenal.Ithaschangedtheteachersbeyondcomparison.Thechildrenareenthusiasticlearners.Theygowaybeyondwhatyouwouldexpectfromchildrenatthatage.It’sbecausetheIPChashelpedthemtowanttolearnandsupportedtheminhowtolearn.Thelevelandkindofworkthechildrendoisimpressive.Schoolsneedtorevisetheirideasofwhatchildrenarecapableof.

EOTW How have your teachers responded to the IPC?

CharlesIt’sjustwhattheteachersneeded.TheIPCprovidesthecurriculumsoinsteadofwritingcurriculumtheteacherscanagaingetonwiththeteaching.AndtheteacherscanchoosewithinacertainrangeoflearningtaskswithintheIPC.Theteachershavetheentitlementtomaketherightchoicesfortheirchildren’slearningneeds.TherewascompleteinflexibilitywiththeIB.Ican’tputintowordshowimpressedIamwiththeIPCfromallaspects.Theteachershavegottheirenthusiasmback.Thereisenergyforlearningeverywhereintheschool.Our11to12yearsoldsarenowgivingPowerPointpresentationstovisitorsandtoparentsontopicslikeimmigration,WorldWarIIandglobalresponsibility.Theyarewaybeyondwhatmostchildrencandoatthatage.I’vebeenfiftyyearsinteachingandI’veneverbeensoimpressedwithwhatthechildrenaredoing.

EOTW What one piece of advice would you offer to school leaders today?

CharlesMakeyourschoolteacher-centredandgetthemtofocusonopen-endedlearning.Someteachersconcentrateonwhatthecurriculumsaystodo,especiallyifit’sanationalcurriculum.Butit’simportanttorememberwhodecidesonwhat’sinanationalcurriculum.Politiciansofcourse,andtheydowhateverwillgetthemvotes.It’steacherswhoknowwhatchildrenneed;whatmakesgoodlearning.Youcanseethebeginningsofrebellionnow;teachersarefedupwithexam-orientedlearning.AndnowasignificantnumberofschoolsinEnglandarepickingtheIPC.Thatsaysanawfullot.

CharlesGellar

14


15

Many IPC member schools have benefited over the years from our free route planner advice

service. However, we have become increasingly aware of the slow response time and with this in mind are thrilled to announce the launch of a new and innovative interactive Route Planning tool.

ThenewonlineIPCRoutePlannerwillenablememberschoolstoplantheirIPCunitroutemapandproduceaninstantreportlistinglearninggoalcoverage.EachreportwillhighlightthelearninggoalsthataresufficientlycoveredandthosethatareinsufficientlycoveredforeachMilepost,eachyearandeachsubjectbasedontheIPCunitsyouhaveselected.

ThenewRoutePlannerisaweb-basedtoolusingasimplefour-stageprocesstocreateyourownIPCRouteMap.Yousimplyuseadrag-and-dropfeaturetoenteryourplanningdataandyourchosenunits.Thisthenproducesacomprehensive,printableonlinereportshowingthelearninggoalcoverage;identifyinglearninggoalscoveredandanylearninggoalsmissingorinadequateforallsubjects.Afterthat,theprocessallowsthefinalonlineRouteMaptobereleasedwiththeaddedfeatureofsharingalltheinformationwithyourcolleagues.

“ThenewonlineRoutePlannerwillhelpyouplanyourIPCunitcoverageinstantly,”saysStevenMark,IPCDirector.“Theschoolsthathavebeenhelpingustestthisnewtechnologyarereallyexcited.It’sgettingridofanyresponsetimemeaningthatyou

canmakeprogresswithyourplanningexactlywhenyouwant,withallthereassuranceyouneedinordertoknowyou’reprovidingrigorouscoverageofallthefoundationsubjects.”

AnumberofmemberschoolshavebeeninvolvedinthetriallingofthenewonlineRoutePlanner.JohnTodd,HeadteacherofCompassInternationalSchoolinDohawasoneofthese.“Itwillmakethewholeprocessofreviewingrouteplanssimplerandquicker,”hesays.“WewillnothavetowaitforfeedbackfromIPC.Wecanputintheinformationandgetinstantfeedbackonlineofwhatwehavecoveredandwhatismissing.Ithinkit’sagreatadditiontotheIPCtoolkitandautomatesaprocessthatcanbeverytime-consuming.Anothergreatidea.Thanksguys!”

ThenewonlineIPCRoutePlannerisnowavailabletoallIPCmemberschoolsthroughtheMembers’Lounge.

World Cup Fever

ThenewIPCWorldCupunitskickedoffsuccessfullyaroundtheglobetocoincidewiththe2010FIFAWorldCup.Manyschoolsenjoyedtwoweeksoffootballexcitementandlearning.“Weevenlearnedallaboutmeasuringtheperimeterandareaofthefootballpitch…andeveryoneenjoyedit!”saysAllisonCollis,DeputyHeadteacherofChestnutsPrimarySchoolinMiltonKeynes,England.EnjoythesepicturesofIPCWorldCuplearninginactionfromIPCmemberschoolsaroundtheglobe.

What’s new from the IPC?IPCrouteplanning…atthetouchofabutton

TheIPCWorldCupunitinaction(clockwisefromtopleft)PanagaSchool,Brunei;BartonPrimarySchool,Cambridge,England;St.Stephen’sPrimarySchool,NewcastleUponTyne,England;andShentonPrimarySchool,Leicester,England

14


15

In the last issue of Eye On The World, we asked you to send in your pictures of good learning-

focused displays. We had some fantastic entries and these are now posted on the IPC Members’ Lounge. Thank you to everyone who sent in entries.

ThewinningentrywassubmittedbyEmmaLundyfromtheBritishAmericanSchoolofCharlotte,USAandshehaswon£200worthofgiftcertificatestospendwithAmazon.comforherclass.CongratulationsEmma!

Thejudgesnotedthatthisdisplayhighlightssomeofthelearningstrategiesthatthechildrenhaveusedandtheylikedtheideaofdisplayingthekeyquestionstodrivetheresearch.

Now for this issue’s competition

Camera, Lights, Action!

MuchofthelearningthatgoesonwiththeIPCisactivelearning;itmightberesearchingaquestionorparticipatinginroleplay,holdingadebateorbuildingawaterwheelto

testthepoweroffallingwater.Itmightbetoemphasiseoneofthepersonallearninggoalssuchasworkingcollaboratively.AlltheselearningexperiencesrequireevidenceandformanyIPCschools,thedigitalcamerahasbecometheirnewbestfriend!

Forthismonth’scompetition,allyouhavetodoissubmitaphotographofIPClearninginactioninyourschool.Emailyourphotographalongwithyourname,thenameofyourschoolandonesentenceexplainingthelearningthathasbeenrecordedtojanice@greatlearning.comorpostyourphotographandentrydetailstoJaniceIreland,EyeOnTheWorldCompetitionEntry,InternationalPrimaryCurriculum,25BuckinghamGate,London,SW1E6LD.

EntriesneedtoreachusbyNovember30th,2010.WinnerswillbeannouncedintheWinterissueofEyeOnTheWorld.IPCwillselectthepicturethattheyconsiderbestrepresentsIPClearninginaction.Thejudge’sdecisionisfinal.Thewinningentrywillreceiveadigitalcamerafortheirclass.

Good luck everyone!

Digital recording tips

NaburnPrimarySchoolinYork,Englandhasreallygottogripswithdigitalrecording.HerearesometipsfromDeputyHeadteacherTraceyLake:

• EachclasshasadigitalcameraandaFlipvideoforuseinlearningactivitiesbystaffandchildren.

• RecordontheFlipvideoasthechildrenplan,maketheirresourcesandundertakerole-playactivities.Later,allowtimeforthechildrentoobservetheirownlearningasittookplaceandtoreviewhowtheywoulddothingsdifferentlythenexttimenowthatthey’vehadtimetoreflectontheexperience.

• Encourageparentstotakepicturesofthechildrendoinghomelearning.Forexample,ourchildrencookedandthenatepizzasathomeaspartoftheIPCFoodunit.Photoswerebroughtin,e-mailedandsuppliedonmemorysticksofthechildrenenjoyingtheirpizzas.

• LetthechildrenusetheFlipvideotofilmthemselvesconductinginterviewsaspartoftheirlearningandtorecordeachother’sviewsontheirlearning.

• TheFlipvideoissmall,easytouseandunobtrusivewhencapturingchildren’slearning.Becauseit’ssosimpletouse,evenouryoungerchildrencanrecordwhatishappeningindependently.Ihavebeenabletousethechildren’srecordingsaspartofmylessonplenaries.

Competition page!Winadigitalcameraforyourclass!

Learning-focuseddisplaysfortheIPCunitExplorersandAdventurersattheBritishAmericanSchoolofCharlotteintheUSA.

ChildwallValleyPrimarySchool

16


17

Janice Ireland is the IPC Membership Director and has all the answers to everything you

could ever need to know about the IPC. She also understands it from a teacher and Headteacher’s point of view too, having worked with the IPC at the International School of The Hague. The IPC Surgery is the place for you to ask Janice any question about the IPC. Email her at [email protected]

Question My school recently started implementing IPC and with our materials we received a copy of the IPC Self Review document. It looks great and we are keen to use it right from the beginning. Is there a good place to start?

Janice answersWearedelightedtohearthatyouwishtobeginyourSelfReviewrightfromthebeginningofIPCimplementation–thatiscertainlywhatwerecommend!

YouwillseethatthereareninekeyareasinourSelfReviewandeachoneislevelledintothreephasesofdevelopmentwithinarubricinjustthesamewayasIPCAssessmentforLearning.

AsaschoolyoushouldbegintoidentifyifyouareBeginning,DevelopingorMasteringineachofthenineareas.Werecommendthatyoutakeyourtimetodothis,involvethewholestaffandchooseoneareaatatime.Youwillneedtogatherevidencetosupportyourjudgements(records,

photographs,assessments,children’swork,schoolimprovementplansetc.).

UsetheIPCBeginningLevelpodcastsintheTrainingRoomoftheMembers’Lounge;theyarefreetouse,fullofveryusefuladviceandwillguideyourstaffthroughthenineareas.YoucoulduseeachareaasthefocusofastaffmeetingandthenfollowupbyusingtheSelfReviewRubric.

Don’tforgetthatourProfessionalDevelopmentteamwouldbegladtosupportyouwithbespokeSelfReviewtrainingandhelpyourschoolmoveinaveryfocusedwaytowardsMasteringLevel.

Question We have been implementing the IPC for two years and have completed our Self Review; it’s been a great learning journey for us and we think we have moved from Beginning to Developing in each of the nine areas. We would like to share our findings with the IPC Team. Is this possible?

Janice answersIt’sgreatthatyou’vefoundtheIPCSelfReviewprocessvaluableandthatit’shelpedyourschoolmoveforward.TheIPCteamwouldbeveryhappytotalktoyouaboutyourlearningjourney.HaveyouconsideredusingyourSelfReviewandtheevidencethatyou’veacquiredtogainIPCAccreditation?Thewholeprocessissupportive,positiveandacelebrationofwhatyouhaveachieved,particularlyfocusingonthelearningthatistakingplaceinyourschool.

It’saveryworthwhileexperienceandhelpsschoolsfeelthattheyaregainingtherecognitiontheydeserveforalltheirhardworkanddevelopment.

Question Every two years we submit our Route Map to the IPC team for feedback about our subject coverage. It’s really helped our school ensure that we don’t have any huge gaps in learning goal coverage and we often re-submit our plans after getting your feedback. Over our five years with the IPC we know that without this service our long term planning would have taken a lot longer and I don’t think our last inspection would have gone so well – the inspectors loved the way that we ensure ALL areas are covered by careful planning including taking the children on fieldtrips and having visitors in school. The only problem is that we currently have to submit our plans several times until we’re happy with our reports and we’d love to speed up this process somehow. Any suggestions?

Janice answersYouhavecontactedusjustattherighttime!Wehavejustlaunchedournewon-lineRoutePlanner.

Theon-lineRoutePlannerhasbeentwoyearsindevelopmenttoensurethatwegiveteachersexactlywhatyouneed–aninteractivetoolthatisteacher-friendly,accurate,responsiveandafantasticresourceforlong-termplanning.Thereisaverysimpledrag-and-dropfunctionthatallowsteacherstoplaceIPCUnitsintoMilePostgrids

The SurgeryAnsweringeverythingyoueverwantedtoknowabouttheIPC

16


17

whichthenworkoutthecoverageforyou.Teachersareabletochoosetheirowncombinationofunitsandthenensurethey’rehappywiththecoveragebeforetheyprintouttheirIPCRouteMapasareport.Ihopethishelpsyou.

Question My school has been implementing the IPC for two years and we’ve noticed a big change in the way children learn – they have definitely moved from being passive learners to active, independent learners who enjoy challenges. It’s wonderful to see the change and in our last inspection this was something that was noted – so much so that we now have many schools contacting us to see IPC in action. We are always happy to open our doors but at certain times of the year it can be difficult. We don’t want to turn visitors away and are happy to share our experience, but would like some support from the IPC team if possible.

Janice answersFirstly,thankyouforallthesupportyouaregivingtointerestedschools.Weknowjusthowmuchtimemanyofyougivewhenyouopenyourschooltovisitorsandit’sverymuchappreciated.

TheIPCteamwouldbedelightedtosupportyou.MaybeitwouldbemorepracticalforyoutoinviteallofyourvisitorstwiceayearandhostaninformationafternoonwheremembersoftheIPCteamwillbetheretogiveapresentationandanswerquestionsbeforeyoutakethemonatouroftheschool.WehavedonethiswithschoolsintheUKandinternationallyandithasbeenagreatwayforaschooltosharetheirownlearningjourneyandshowtheIPCinactionaswellashavinganexpertonhandtohelpwithquestions.Ifyouwouldliketomakearrangementstoopenyourschoolupinthisway,pleasecontacttheIPCoffice.

Question When we began IPC 18 months ago, I set up all my staff with their own accounts for the Members’ Lounge. However, this year we have four teachers and two teaching assistants leaving and five new teachers arriving. How can I deactivate the leavers’ accounts and set up accounts for my new staff?

Janice answersManyHeadteachersdelegatetheresponsibilityofstaffaccountstoamemberofstaffora

schooladministratorandthisisagreatwayofensuringthatIPCwebsiteaccountsarekeptup-to-date.OnlyschoolsthatareIPCmembersareentitledtousethepasswordprotectedareasoftheIPCwebsite.Therefore,itisimportanttodeleteaccountsofteacherswholeaveyourschool.Oursecuritysystemscaneasilytrackunauthorisedaccounts,butwerelyonschoolstopassoninformationtousinthefirstinstance.

OurSchoolsSupportExecutive,LoriJobling,helpsschoolswithallaspectsofwebsiteaccountsandshewillbehappytoupdateyouruserinformation.PleaseemailLoriatlori@greatlearning.comwithdetailsofthestaffwhoareleavingandthenamesofthosewhorequirenewaccounts.

Question I noticed that the IPC units on your website are different in appearance to the files that we have had in our school since 2008; does that mean ours are out of date?

Janice answersThisyearwe’vebeendelightedtolaunchthe10thAnniversary‘newlook’IPCunitsandmanyofyouhavecommentedonhowmuchyoulikethenewimagesandpresentation.Theappearanceoftheunitsmayhavechangedbutthecontenthasnot.However,in2010-11wewillbereleasingthefirstbatchofupdatedIPCLearningUnitsandweareveryexcitedaboutthenewideas,extrascience,linkswithliteracyandnumeracy,anddirecton-linelinkstoAssessmentforLearningthatwillbeincluded.

TheIPCaimstoberelevantandto

continuouslyevolve.Weknowthatthelearnersoftodayaretechnologicallymoresophisticatedthanthechildrenof10oreven5yearsago,soweareintheprocessoflookingcarefullyatEntryPoints,learningtasksandmethodsofresearchingandrecording,anddevelopingcuttingedgethemesthatwillcontinuetoengageandmotivatetoday’syounglearners.

CurrentIPCmemberswillnotbemissingoutonthese.YouwillhaveyourcurrentIPCfoldersbutyouwillalsohaveaccesstothenewunitson-line–anothergreatwaytokeepup-to-datethroughIPCMembership!

Question I’ve used some of the resources that have been uploaded in the Members’ Lounge and have found them really helpful. However, there are a few that seem to have links to websites that no longer work and there are a few units that don’t have many resource ideas. Do you have any plans to update this area of the website?

Janice answersWhentheMembers’Loungewaslaunchedin2008,theIPCteamkick-startedtheresourcesareabyuploadingusefulwebsiteinformationandsuppliersdetails.Atthattimewealsosentoutaguidetoteachersgivingdetailsofhowtouploadideas,createschoolportfoliosandshareresources.TheinitialphaseoftheResourceRoomwashugelysuccessfulandteachersgaveusexcellentfeedbackandenjoyedaddingtheirideasandresourcesuggestionswithothers.Likealltechnologytoday,thingsdevelopquicklyandthewebsitesofthismonthcansoonbecomeoutofdate.Sofor2010-11wehaveplanstodoacompleteauditoftheMembers’Loungeandlookatwhatiscurrentlystillappropriateandwhatneedstobeupdated.We’llalsobegivingteachersaquickstartguidetoaddingresourcesandcreatingschoolportfolios.TheMembers’Loungeisyourarea.It’sdesignedforteacherstoshareIPClearningideas.Themorethateveryoneaddstoit,thebetteritwillbeforallmembers.Pleasetaketimeattheendofaunittouploadanygoodresourceideasandweblinksyoumayhavefound.

JaniceIreland

18


19

Meet the two people who you’ve very likely talked to, emailed and received mail from and

who keep IPC running smoothly day in, day out – Stevie Osborne and Lori Jobling. They know all about you, so now it’s your turn to find out all about them. Eye On The World did our own bit of snooping on your behalf:

Eye on the World How long have you worked for Fieldwork Education?

LoriIwillhaveworkedforFieldworkEducationforfiveyearsinNovember.

EOTW What are the biggest changes that you have seen in that time?

LoriWithoutadoubtit’stheincreasingnumberofpeoplethatIworkwith.WhenIfirststarteditwasasmallfamilyofabouttenpeopleandwe’renowabigfamilyoffortypeople,alldoinggreatthingstohelpschoolswithchildren’slearning.It’samazingformetoseehowmanyIPCmemberschoolshavecomeonboardinthelastfiveyears.

EOTW What do you do to support IPC members?

LoriIanswerallsortsofquestionsaboutIPCmemberservices.Nothingistoosmallortoosilly.ItrytoanswerasefficientlyaspossibleandliketomakesurethattheHeadteacherorteacherissatisfiedandhappywithmyresponse.

EOTW What is the one thing that IPC schools could do to help you to help them?

LoriBespecificastowhattheyrequireandalsoreademailsthoroughlyastheanswerisintheresomewhere!

EOTW When you’re not in work, what’s the one thing you like doing most?

LoriIlovetosocialisewithmyfriendsandfamily,readingandholidays.Iamtryingtovisitanewcountryeveryyear.

You can contact Lori at IPC at [email protected] or by calling +44 (0)20 7531 9696

EOTW How long have you worked at Fieldwork Education?

StevieThreeyears

EOTW What are your IPC priorities?

StevieIamthefirstpointofcontactfornewschoolswhoareinterestedintheIPCandsendoutanyinformationanewschoolrequires.IanswergeneralenquiriesandhelpprovidesupportforIPCschools.Ialsomaintainthewebsitesandsendupdatestoschools.

EOTW What is the best thing about the IPC when you see it in action in schools?

StevieHowmuchthechildrenclearlyenjoylearningthiswayandarethoroughlyinvolvedinwhattheyaredoing.It’sveryhandsonlearning.Theygetsoexcitedtellingyouaboutwhatthey’redoing,showingyoutheirworkandexplainingtheirideas.It’sgreattoseethattheteachersarealsoenjoyingwhattheyareteachingthechildren.

EOTW What is the one thing that IPC schools could do to help you with your job?

StevieItwouldbegreatiftheycouldkeepmeup-to-datewithchangeswithintheschool.Thisincludesanychangestocontactinformationanddetailsofteacherswhohavelefttheschoolandnewteacherswhohavejoined.ThatmeansIcanmakesurethateveryschoolandeveryteacherisabletoaccesseverythingtheyareentitledtoasanIPCmember.

EOTW If you weren’t working at IPC what would you most like to be doing?

StevieIwouldeitherbeachefor,afterworkingwiththeIPC,IwouldliketoworkasateacherinanIPCschool.

You can contact Stevie at IPC at [email protected] or by calling +44 (0)20 7531 9696

Meet the IPC support team

Lori Jobling

Stevie Osborne

18


19

In this issue, we interview Davinder Jandu, Headteacher of Lillington Primary School in Leamington,

England. The school has been working with the IPC for three years and last year took on the Looking for Learning Toolkit, also from Fieldwork Education and, says Davinder, it has helped make a big difference to teaching and learning with the IPC.

“WhenIfirststartedreadingtheLookingforLearningmanuals,Iliterallycouldn’tputthemdown.Everythingthattheysaidmadesense;theyhelpedtheIPCmakesense,theyhelpedAssessmentforLearningmakesense,theymadethewayIworkwithmyteachersandthewayweallworkwitheachchildmakesense.Itwaslikethefinalpieceinajigsaw.Whatitdidwastoclarifywhywe’redoingthings.ItprovidedadepthtomyunderstandingoftheIPCandtomyunderstandingofalllearning.ItpulledallthethreadsthatIinstinctivelyknewwereimportantbutcouldn’tnecessarilyarticulatewhy,together.Whetheryou’vebeenteachingfor25yearsorareanewlyqualifiedteacher,theLookingforLearningToolkithelpseverythingabouthow,whyandwhatchildrenlearnmakesense.

All about the children

“Iaskedeachoneofmyseniorleadershipteamtoreadfoldertwo(AboutLearningfromtheLookingforLearningToolkit)andeachdaysomeonecamebacksayingtheycouldn’tputitdown.Eachonesaidthesamething;thatthemanualtalkedabouteverysingleoneoftheirchildreninsomeway.Formeitwasn’tjustaboutthechildren;Icouldalsoseeitrelatingtoallofmystaff,onewayoranother.Asaresultit’schangedthewaywearedoingthingshere;smallthingsthatmakeahugedifference.

Forexample,oneofmyteachershasachildwithlearningdifficulties.He’stweakedthewayhesupportsherlearningandherimprovementhasbeenverynoticeable.Foranotherteacher,it’snowunderstandinghowtorespondtothelearningstyleofagiftedandtalentedchild.It’smadesomequitedramaticchangesforourchildren.Andforthestafftoo.InourstaffmeetingsI’verealisedmy‘slowthinkers’(thosewhowanttoconsidertheirthoughtsbeforecommenting)weren’tevergiventhechancetomakeanactivecontribution.Sonowwehaveashortfollow-upstaffmeetingthedayafterourmainstaffmeetingtoalloweveryone,especiallytheslowthinkers,timeandspacetoconsiderandrespond.Ifthere’sonepieceofadviceIwouldgivetoanyschooltakingontheLookingforLearningToolkit,it’stogeteveryonetoreadfoldertwofirst.It’sallaboutthechildren.That’sthethingthatmakesthemostimpact.ForourNQTs,infactforeveryone,thisisaboutthefirmestfoundationtheycouldhave.

Creating a common focus on learning

TheLookingforLearningToolkithasgivenusaverygoodunderstandingofthedepthbehindthecreationoftheIPC.WhenweintroducedtheIPChere

IonlyglancedattheIPCTeachersManualbecauseIknewIwasn’tgoingtobeteachingitanddidn’tthinkIneededtoreaditthoroughly.TheLookingforLearningToolkitmademewanttogobackandreadtheIPCTeachersManual,andtheAssessmentforLearningManual.It’smademewanttogodeeperwitheverythingwe’redoing.

TheLookingforLearningToolkithaswithoutdoubtuppedourstandardsbecausethechildren’smindsetsaredifferent.Nowtheygointotheclassroomknowingtheyaregoingtolearn.Theentireapproachtolearningisfarmorepositive.Intermsofthechangeinculture,that’sdefinitelyvisible.Andyoucanhearitinthestaffroomtoo.Thetonehaschanged.Everyoneissharinggreatlearningexamplesandnow,whentheyleaveattheendoflunchtime,theatmospheregoingbackintotheclassroomispositive.Withoutadoubt,there’saculturechangethroughouttheentireschool.”

The Looking for Learning Toolkit

TheLookingforLearningToolkitincludesfivemanualsandsupportingDVDscontainingstrategiesandsuggestionsrelevantforanyschooltobecomelearning-focused.

ItwaslaunchedinMarch2009andisalreadybeingusedinover150schoolsincludingseveralIPCmemberschools.FormoreinformationabouttheLookingforLearningToolkitgotowww.lookingforlearning.co.ukorcontactPreetKhukhatpreet@[email protected]

A focus on learningSupportingIPCwiththeLookingforLearningToolkit

TheLookingforLearningToolkit

INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM

25 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LDT: +44 (0)20 7531 9696 F: +44 (0)20 7531 1333


From Fieldwork Education, part of the WCL Group

© WCL Group Limited. All rights reserved.

eye on the world issue 4

Documents