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The Global Curriculum at Polesworth
By Mrs S Leftwich
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Introduction This issue’s
‘Teaching and Learning Corner’ features two very important articles about how
schools are judged in terms of teaching and learning, and the impact of our
international links with Ghana, China, and India on our school curriculum and
the learning of Polesworth students. Mr P Fowler
The Global Curriculum at
Polesworth I’m sure that you will have read in previous Updates
about how international links have developed at Polesworth – this article is to
give a brief glimpse about how this affects your son / daughter’s experiences in
the classroom. At Polesworth we want to allow equality of access to global
education rather than it being an extra-curricular activity or isolated in
certain subjects. We teach about the developing world by not focussing solely on
the needs and shortfalls of the country, but rather by fostering student
interests about religion, culture, arts, history and geography. At Polesworth
we have featured in the local and national press as well as local radio and have
secured external funding exceeding £22,000 to fund our work in school. We have
won a number of awards for our International work including – The International
School Award, Race Equality Award, Impetus Award, Investors in People –
Outstanding Practice Award. There is an unmistakable need for schools to
prepare students for their future lives, lives which will move away
geographically and economically from their existence as a student. The world
seems to be growing smaller, communication is faster, food is more
international, fashion is global, more languages are spoken, there are fewer
currencies than ever before. People have an increased awareness of Europe, of
Britain, of relationships with other countries, specifically America. This year
there is a huge emphasis on the Commission for Africa, brought into popular
culture through ‘Live8’, white wrist bands, documentaries on television and
books including ‘Geldof in Africa’ in the bestsellers list. There is a demand
for global awareness that has not existed before. No longer can young people
live a blinkered existence and not understand their unique place in the world.
Below is a summary of some current international projects, all externally
funded, operating at Polesworth. Key Stage 3
- Maths:
Students complete various units examining currency, counting in African
languages and symmetry in traditional patterns and carvings.
- Personal, Social and Health Education:
Years 7-9 , learn about human rights across the globe, year 7 examine
country specific case studies, year 8 examine the theme of torture and year
9 issues surrounding asylum.
- Chemistry:
Year 7 took part in a collaborative project in 2001 – a practical
experiment with photography chemicals and their reaction to sunlight,
photographs of the process and results were shared.
- English:
Year 7 – a unit of work based on Informative writing is centred around
learning about Ghana.
Year 8 – Myths and fables – a joint project sharing our own literature with
our partners in India
Year 9 – a study of literature from many cultures including our link
countries.
- Drama:
Year 7 – a unit of work focussing on teaching basic drama skills through
examining daily life in England and Ghana.
- History:
Students research the slave trade of Ghana to develop understanding of human
rights issues in the past including sources and primary data.
- Music:
Year 8 - a unit of work has been set up based on Ghanaian drumming including
basic drumming techniques and rhythms from Ghana.
- Geography:
Year 9 - a unit of work has been developed based on a virtual tour of
geographic features of Pampawie village.
Key Stage 4
- Art:
As part of their GCSE coursework, years 10 and 11 research African
patterns and produce their own using pen and ink and a large scale
weaving.
- Religious Education:
As a unit within the GCSE course, years 9 and 10, research International
charities and year 10 study ‘Social Harmony’ using Pampawie’s tolerance
of Islam, Christianity and traditional religion as an example of
religious pluralism
- Textiles Technology:
An African theme was incorporated into year 10 textiles technology,
developing pupils’ work from current use of dye and thread technique to
include the technique of batik and dye to make sarongs.
- English:
The study of the novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe set in
Nigeria at GCSE enabling students to develop an International dimension
to their English Literature and to develop their understanding of
African culture and the global context of the novel.
- Maths:
Introduction of a unit based on handling data and correlation using
statistics of Africa concerning education, family, wealth, health and
others chosen by the students.
- PSHE:
A scheme of work reflecting on the social impact of HIV / AIDS was
created using a focus group.
Key Stage 5
- Psychology:
A scheme of work examining cross-cultural variation in behaviour,
especially child rearing based on theory and research carried out
during a visit to Pampawie.
- General Studies:
A scheme of work taught to all sixth form students based upon
Development Education and Sustainable Development and closely based
upon research carried out in Pampawie, Ghana, our partner school.
- Sociology – Students study the topics of the family and
education to include:
> Ghanaian family structure and child rearing practices as an
example of cross-cultural diversity.
> Comparison of the education systems in Ghana and Britain.
Projects are constantly developing, especially for our two new
links with India and China.
Sharon Leftwich
Internationalism and Development Education Co-ordinator
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