European school partnerships for early years and Curriculum for Excellence

eTwinning is the EC's programme for finding and working with school partners through creative, collaborative ICT.

It's free and easy to join, and provides access to a database of thousands of European schools actively looking for partners.

The programme also provides support and guidance to all registered schools. UK support is provided by the British Council.

eTwinning has strong links with the EC's Comenius programme, which provides further support and funding for European school partnerships.

This presentation will provide an overview of eTwinning and Comenius, and information on how to get involved.

The key focus of the session will be a case study from Woodacre Nursery School, whose eTwinning project with a school in Milan enabled them to achieve the International Excellence Award.

Using technology to overcome linguistic barriers, the project was integrated into all areas of curriculum, supporting all 4 capacities of Curriculum for Excellence, and ICT, Citizenship, and Enterprise in particular.

Woodacre's eTwinning experiences have built the confidence of the school to the extent that they have now decided to make an even greater commitment through the Comenius programme, which will also be discussed.

Although the project focused on pre-school pupils, many of the activities can be easily transferred to other sectors.

Susan Linklater has worked for the British Council for the last five years, developing and managing projects that merge ICT and the international dimension in schools education. She has presented on related topics at a number of conferences and seminars, both in the UK and internationally. The main focus of her current role is managing the EC's eTwinning programme in the UK.

Prior to that she worked with Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Jane Stirling has been headteacher of Woodacre Nursery in Glasgow for 3 years.

She has previously worked in primary schools in Scotland, Italy, Kuwait and Australia. She is passionate about use of ICT to support learning and achievement in early years, and is committed to the considerable benefits of international education. To this end she has given presentations at a number of events organised by Glasgow Council.

Jane is also an eTwinning Ambassador, where she offers support to others interested in getting involved.