From a very small beginning in 2003 the North Lincolnshire China project has grown to demonstrate remarkable success. Now our three-year funding from the British Council has come to an end, it is time to take stock and plan for the future. North Lincolnshire aims for the development of its community focus at every level, on the raising of aspirations, and the ability to look beyond the immediate surroundings of North Lincolnshire; hence our strap line ‘Links Across the World to Build a Brighter Future’.
The Education link with China is now at the heart of a wide range of the council’s plans, including the Children and Young People’s Plan and operational plans for Children’s Services.
The joint HSBC and British Council three year funding enabled 10 headteachers to make initial links with schools in Dalian and four council officers to travel to sustain and develop further links at local authority level. Additional funding from a variety of sources, mainly TIPD and British Council, allowed other links, bringing the total to 38 in all representing 45 per cent of our schools.
There is no doubt that four years on, China is now an important part of education in North Lincolnshire, and the project has brought rich opportunities for adults and young people. Our greatest achievements include:
· Mandarin being taught in 12 schools from ages four to 16
· A published North Lincolnshire Mandarin curriculum, based on the languages ladder for all ages
· Curriculum changes recommended and supported in Key Stages 1 to 3 based on Chinese culture
· Young people visiting China and schools hosting staff and children from their link schools
· Comprehensive headteacher training and teacher training in Dalian and North Lincolnshire
· Three language assistants leading on Mandarin teaching
· Special school links influencing inclusion of pupils in Dalian
· Local partnerships with colleges creating more opportunities to develop the link
· Teacher training programmes for Chinese teachers in North Lincolnshire, now established with the Dalian Education University
· Curriculum projects being successfully delivered in the majority of China link schools
· Outstanding professional development opportunities for school staff.
Progress to date:
2003 – Seven new link schools – seven headteachers and two council officers plus one school linked with school in Qingdao
2004 – Nine new links schools – 17 headteachers and four council officers, curriculum projects begin
2005– 12 new link schools – a total delegation of 40 people, 20 heads/deputy's, 12 teachers
Two further education, six council officers, curriculum projects extended
2006 – Five new links schools - a total delegation of 59 people, 19 heads/deputy's, 35 teachers, three council officers, two further education partners (Bishop Grosseteste University College)
Chinese Headteacher training on self evaluation and development planning, North Lincolnshire training programme for Chinese teachers established. 10 teachers participate for three months. Students visit Dalian and North Lincolnshire
2007 – 10 North Lincolnshire educationalists, including the director of education and two new link schools attend the Han Ban conference. Year six pupils take part in UK Mandarin immersion course. Plans emerge as part of BSF for a Confucius Centre in North Lincolnshire. Teacher training programme is developed further in partnership with Bishop Grosseteste College for 13 Chinese teachers. Students visit Dalian and North Lincolnshire. North Lincolnshire Mandarin and curriculum programmes of study produced
Two new link schools – a total delegation of 67 people, 63 headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and four council officers (travelled in two delegations) to work on curriculum links