A new chapter for schools: Making the most of Erasmus+ and Oak resources

Erasmus+ (the EU programme which helps fund study trips for pupils and teachers) is back for schools. It is news worth celebrating for teachers and pupils across the country, opening the door to cultural exchange and the chance to learn alongside peers from across Europe and beyond. Oak is proud to be playing its part alongside the British Council to help make it happen. This creates an opportunity for meaningful international collaboration, cultural exchange and enriching learning experiences for schools across the country.

Preparing pupils for real-world connections

A great first step is to use Oak’s languages resources to prepare pupils for interactions with native speakers. Our approach focuses on helping pupils learn the most useful vocabulary that will be useful whatever the context. Rather than memorising stock phrases that may or may not be relevant, pupils develop the skills to build their own sentences and communicate confidently in real situations. The result is vocabulary that doesn't stay in the exercise book but travels with pupils to their exchange visits so they can make the most of the experience.

A curriculum that connects globally

Erasmus+ isn’t just about languages so projects can be across any curriculum subject. Oak’s curricula approach celebrates diversity helping pupils see the world, and themselves, reflected in what they learn, so you can see cultural examples threaded across our subjects.

Our curriculum resources can help you bring these themes to life while saving valuable planning time:

Physical education

Explore global cultures through movement with units such as:

• Year 5: Dance: my world, how we dance (KS2), featuring Traditional Greek Dance, Salsa and Kathak
• Year 8: Dance: crossing contexts, including Capoeira, Lindy Hop and Hip Hop
• Year 10: Invasion games: tactics and strategies in world games, with lessons on Kabaddi, Flag Football and Australian Football
• Year 10: Handball practical unit leading to full context game play

Geography

• Year 5: Sustainable world: does it matter how we live?
• Year 9: Natural Resources: can earth meet our needs?

Citizenship

• Year 8: What Can We Do About Global Problems?
• Year 9: How can young people play an active role in democracy?

These topics provide a natural bridge to international collaboration and shared learning with partner schools.

Oak is here to support you

If you’d like to learn more about our curricula and teaching resources, you can get in touch with our subject leads, whose names are below:

• Languages: Alice Harrison
• PE: Louise Hacking
• Geography: Graeme Schofield
• Citizenship: Geoff Wells.

What are the opportunities for schools with Erasmus+?

The British Council has provided some information to support schools and teachers to understand more about the opportunities for you.

Opportunities for teachers

• Job shadowing/Teaching Abroad
• Training courses
• Hosting an expert
• Hosting a trainee teacher

Opportunities for pupils

• Visits to schools abroad: Groups of up to 30 pupils (plus teachers) can travel to a partner school.
• Opportunities for school partnerships.

Small-scale partnerships

• At least two organisations from different countries. Apply for a grant of €30,000 or €60,000.

Co-operation partnerships

• At least three partners such as multi-academy trusts, local authorities or initial teacher training providers, although schools can take part as a partner. Grant options are €120,000, €250,000 or €400,000.

Start planning now

Now is the time to begin building school partnerships ahead of the Erasmus+ application process opening in November. The British Council, which is the UK National Agency for Erasmus+, along with a range of other organisations, can support you with information on the programme and in finding partner schools abroad.

Remember, Erasmus+ opportunities are open to both teachers and pupils. Imagine comparing how climate change is taught here and Germany, or taking part in a study visit to develop your own language skills. Oak resources can support you in building confidence, and combining them with a study visit and language tuition could be transformative. Many languages teachers are asked to teach languages outside their specialism and Oak can help with the heavy lifting with lesson planning and native speaker audio files.

For more information and advice on specific support with Erasmus+ applications, speak to the British Council. Have a look at their website and sign up for the newsletter.

You can also find a partner school via the British Council's partner finding database.

Making time for what matters

We know that time is one of the biggest barriers teachers face. That’s why it’s so important to make the most of every available hour. Teachers using Oak resources save, on average, four hours per week. Just imagine what that time could be used for.

Why not invest that time in engaging with Erasmus+ and exploring the opportunities that are right for your teachers and pupils?

Don’t miss this opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for schools, and there is plenty of support available to help you submit a successful application. In the past, most applications were successful, so don’t delay.

Start planning today and give your pupils, and yourself, the chance to connect, learn and grow on a global stage.