26.02.24
The following article comes from Lynette Sloan at Ysgol Y Grango, a secondary school in Rhosllannerchrugog, Wales.
Global dimensions of Curriculum for Wales – how can we meet the needs of our learners and expose them to cultural identity producing ethically informed citizens?
The education system in Wales is in the middle of a major transitional shift to the new Curriculum for Wales. We have gone through the trialling period and are now more than halfway through the first year of delivery to all Primary-aged pupils and learners in Year 7 and 8. Rollout to Year 9 pupils will start in September 2024.
The new curriculum is shaped by four statements of purpose that emphasise the importance of longer-term outcomes designed to equip young people to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
One of these purposes states that young people should develop as Ethical, Informed Citizens, ready to learn throughout their lives, and the subject of this blog. Ethical Informed Citizens:
- find, evaluate and use evidence in forming views
- engage with contemporary issues based upon their knowledge and values
- understand and exercise their human and democratic responsibilities and rights
- understand and consider the impact of their actions when making choices and acting
- are knowledgeable about their culture, community, society and the world, now and in the past
- respect the needs and rights of others, as a member of a diverse society
- show their commitment to the sustainability of the planet
- are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world
A critical part of raising aspirations and addressing different gaps in attainment is ensuring that all learners are given a wide range of opportunities through a broad and balanced curriculum. As schools are now in charge of planning their own curricula, it is important to understand that providing meaningful linguistic and cultural experiences will broaden horizons and open up the world to learners whatever their background or needs, working towards and providing them with the means to become ethical, informed citizens.
As a school and as teachers, we want to support our learners to be able to actively engage with the global economy and flourish in their chosen path whether working for businesses, as entrepreneurs, or as performers and artists.
The aim to produce young people ready to be citizens of Wales and the World was the primary reason for the school to join the Global Schools Alliance. We are aiming for our learners to become ethical, informed citizens. Becoming part of the Alliance is allowing the school to provide opportunities for learners to become knowledgeable about their own culture, community, society and the world, and that of others, now and in the past and respect the needs and rights of others, as a member of a diverse society.
Becoming part of the Alliance is allowing the school to provide opportunities for learners to become knowledgeable about their own culture, community, society and the world, and that of others, now and in the past and respect the needs and rights of others, as a member of a diverse society.
The impact of school-based projects with our twinned sister school will allow for the opportunity to support learners to become
- Ambitious capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives
- Enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in live and work
- Ethical informed citizens of Wales and the World
- Healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valuable members of society.
The Global Schools Alliance has provided the platform needed for the school to realise its cultural capacity and build and grow global dimensions within the curriculum. Staff can access the GSA platform at no cost, where they are free to collaborate with many other educators from around the world, they can cherry pick projects, or they can use the platform to suggest a project and ask if any members would like to collaborate. It is that easy!
As a school, we have been awarded the GSA Bronze Award for demonstrating a commitment to our global transformation. We are working towards achieving the Silver award, and it was important that we had the right partnership in place so that we could work towards the following outcomes for our learners;
- Aim to support learners in becoming responsible global citizens who have a broad understanding and awareness of the world around them.
- Develop communication skills in our learners through interaction with other countries. It is important for young people to be able to communicate effectively.
- Provide opportunities for the development of skills necessary for life as a global citizen.
- Strengthen learners understanding of cultures aside from their own through immersive experiences. Respecting others is key, and being able to understand, appreciate and celebrate diversity. A value the school would like to leave a lasting impact on its learners.
- Provide learners with the opportunity to connect, communicate and co-operate with students in other cultures to enhance their global citizenship through lived
Some of the key benefits of being a GSA member to our school are an increase in our cultural capital, the ability to develop T&L through cross curricular projects and shared vision, the opportunity to develop learners’ skills integral to the four purposes of the CfW, the ability to create meaningful and lasting international links, gaining accreditation from the Global School Alliance and being able to promote the school as a ‘leading’ or ‘champion’ school for Global Citizenship.
Working closely with the GSA we now have a great partnership in place with Sousse International in Tunisia. We are still in the very early stages of project planning, but we are very excited about the prospect of a long-lasting partnership that serves both our school communities.
