WIDENING HORIZONS
Linking Schools in Jamaica
with Schools in the UK
2019 update.
We are looking forward to getting links between Jamaican school and schools in UK up and running again.
The "Widening Horizons" project is proposing picking up the development and management of links now that the British Council has pulled out and despite requests, decided against restarting support for Caribbean schools.
In 2011 Dr Nadine Leachman said: “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”.
Mrs Nadine Leachman, Director of Education, Ministry Region 5
The photograph below was taken in June 2011 when Mrs Liz Millman met with Mrs Nadine Leachman to put in a proposal to the British Council to form a link between Region 5 schools and schools in the city of Birmingham in the UK.
Mrs Liz Millman, Co-ordinator of the "Widening Horizons" project
and Director of Learning Links International adds:
"I am honoured to be able to work with such great colleagues in Jamaica and UK, and to make an idea become a reality. As the British Council are no longer providing support, we have created a new way of organising school to school links under the "Widening Horizons" project.
So as there won't be as much "red tape", hopefully schools will have much more freedom and autonomy to make a link that suits their school. We are currently exploring ways with the UK schools to develop a strategy to support necessary expenses - eg for teacher exchange costs.
However in the 21st Century we should be looking forward to linking in new ways - and I think we should perhaps start by forging electronic links and making better use of our new technologies, especially as Jamaica seems to have become the Blackberry Capital of the world!
... and remember - please share your views and ideas - the feedback tag is very easy to use."
Birmingham Head Teacher, Jonathan Smart, with tecahers from Region 5 after the final event of the exchange visit in March 2012.
“School links are a valuable way of providing our children with first hand and relevant information about the world around them. It allows our children, some of whom have family in other countries, to relate on a whole different level. I am looking forward to seeing more links get forged now between Birmingham Schools and Schools in Region 5, and I know other areas are forging links through the Widening Horizons project as well.
School linking also allows staff to develop their own professional development, particularly if they are lucky enough to visit the link country. My visit to Jamaica was a huge learning experience as it gave me a firsthand knowledge of the country that I could then bring back to school and share with the children.
Liz Millman was instrumental in this process and has an excellent track record of ensuring links are put in place and sustained. Despite all the challenges we faced with uncertainties from the British Council, she has keep this project on track and we should thank her for this.
Good luck to you in your linking ventures – we can make whatever we want of this great opportunity”
Jonathan Smart: Head Teacher of Brookvale Primary School in Birmingham, UK