At Houndsfield, we are committed to educating children about the world around them. In order to do this we have not only developed an environment and curriculum where young people and adults use the values and language of the UNCRC to help them become rights-respecting global citizens by committing to the RRSA, but have fostered sustainable global links, have embedded the principles of global learning throughout our curriculum and have a shared goal for our children to become citizens of the world. Our aim is to develop in children the idea of taking action with, rather than doing things to or for people and learning from other children and young people in our school, our local, national and international community.

We understand that Global Learning in school is important for children because:

• It allows children to consider why there inequalities in the world
• Children learn about the social, economic, environmental, cultural and political impacts of globalisation
• Children listen to, understand and respect different voices and perspectives
• Children are taught to question viewpoints and challenge stereotypes
• It helps children to explore their values and how they impact on others
• Children are encouraged to be self-reflective and develop critical thinking and analytical skills

Our School Links

Sierra Leone

We have been involved in linking with Sierra Leone since 2010. Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. It’s capital city is called Freetown. The population is approximately 6 million people.

Initially, ten schools in Enfield were linked with ten schools in the Tonkolili District of Sierra Leone under the Global Schools Partnership initiative.  The aim of these school links was to ensure equitable and sustainable partnerships with Southern schools in line with the eight global dimensions outlined by DFID.

We are linked with two schools in Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone.

Some facts!

TDC Primary

• 350 pupils
• 8 paid teachers (5 are qualified)
• 10 unpaid teachers
• Children from the Mile 91 township attend – very rural – 91 miles from Freetown
• School was built with funding from the Concern Worldwide organisation
• Opened in 1986
• Holds community meetings with 4 teachers and was approved by the government on 1986.
• Last year 34 pupils were entered for the NPSE (National Primary School Exam)
• Multi-faith school with Christian and Muslim Children
• Has a School Management Committee (SMC)

Ansarul Islamic Girls Primary School

• 449 pupils
• 12 teachers
• 3 classrooms – classes 1-6
• Founded in 1994 in the main town Mile 91. Had 2 classes and the head was called A B Kamara
• In 1995, Marie joined as the 1st female teacher. In 1998 it was headed by Mr A B Jalloh.
• The rebels came in 1998 and school was stopped. Teaches were displaced to other schools mainly in Freetown. Rebels destroyed much of Mile 91 itself, all buildings there now, including the schools are new.
• In 2000 another head took over and increased the number of children on roll. They now have 6 classrooms now which they have shared the neighbouring boys primary school since 2006.

Mrs Marie Karbo – Headteacher, Ansarul Primary School

Mr Robin Mansaray – Headteacher, TDC Primary School

The Tamaraneh Poultry Farm

The teachers in Sierra Leone choose the name ‘Tamaraneh’ as this means ‘to help ourselves’ in Temne.

We are currently raising money for our partner schools to build a poultry farm on their school grounds. The aims are:

• To develop a sustainable, maintained project between TDC Primary, Mile 91 and The Field Federation, Edmonton.
• To educate the children in Mile 91 and Edmonton about the benefits of sustainability and global linking with a focus on equity of partners
• To engage with and support the local community of Mile 91 with a particular emphasis on the pupils and parents of TDC Primary
• To develop an independent, unallocated income-generating activity, which ensures the continued development and future opportunities, for the pupils of TDC Primary, Mile 91

Click here to learn more about the phases of this project.

We have also established links with NaSalone TV and the High Commission of Sierra Leone. Click on the link below to watch the film of our recent sponsored walk.

Finland

We have a long standing partnership with Kalevalan Koulu in Kuopio, Finland.  Kalevalan Koulu school is a mainstream school with units specialising in ASD, Speech & Language and teaching children with Finnish as an additional language.

Turkey

Our links in Turkey are with a variety of establishments – Gazi University in Ankara, Müjgan Karaçalı İlköğretim Okulu

also in Ankara and the Ministry of Education.  We have all worked collaboratively, researching how to increase the attainment of pupils of Turkish/Kurdish heritage in England.

Madrid

We have been linked to Colegio San Agustin Negrales in Madrid for the past three years and our links with them are growing stronger day by day.  Although Madrid is the capital city of Spain, like London is the capital of England, our cities, schools and experiences are very different.

So far, we have taken part in two exchanges with the children from Colegio San Agustin, with them visiting us in 2013 and 2014. In return, almost 30 children from Phase 4 have been to Madrid to take part in lessons, visit cultural sights and improve their Spanish. During both trips, the children have learnt so much, both educationally and culturally.

The Colegio is very different to our school.  It is a Catholic school with children from the ages of 3 to 16 attending.  From the age of 5 upwards, the children have different teachers for each lesson and they use lots of textbooks – as well as getting homework every day!  Their school day runs from 8:30 am until 5pm and they have lots of sporting facilities on site – including basketball courts, a football pitch and a swimming pool.

We hope to continue to visit the Colegio over the coming years, as it is such an incredible experience for our year 5 children.

Global Learning Expert Centre

Houndsfield Primary School is an Expert Centre for the GLP.

The GLP helps your school inspire pupils by deepening their understanding of global issues

What is the Global Learning Programme?

The Global Learning Programme (GLP) is a ground-breaking new programme which helps teachers to deliver effective teaching and learning about development and global issues at Key Stages 2 and 3.

What does the GLP offer?

The Global Learning Programme (GLP) provides the support needed to help pupils learn about the challenges our world faces and to think critically about how to deal with issues such as poverty, inequality and sustainability. This support includes:

• a free locally-based, peer-led support network
• e-credits to pay for teacher professional development
• online Whole School Audit and Action Plan tools to help identify strategies for developing global learning
• curriculum guidance for key subject areas
• easily accessible and GLP-approved resources
• opportunities to become GLP Expert Centres.

Why should your school take part?

Schools participating in the GLP will experience the exciting impact that knowledge and understanding of global learning can bring to pupils’ learning across the curriculum. It helps pupils make sense of the world in which they live and to understand their role within a global society. The GLP will also help schools develop an ethos promoting tolerance, fairness and respect.

Teachers involved in the GLP will work with colleagues in local, like-minded schools to drive forward global learning across the curriculum, share best practice and engage in various CPD opportunities.

How can my school become a GLP partner school?

The first steps are to register your school on the GLP website at www.glp-e.org.uk and contact the Houndsfield Primary School Expert Centre by contacting Kate Holland at kate.holland@houndsfield.enfield.sch.uk