Teachers, Schools and Colleges

[The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship] has supported us in our drive to raise awareness of the significance of the international dimension and has motivated many of our younger pupils to take advantage of the international opportunities we offer (from exchanges and visits to Comenius and Connecting Classrooms Projects). Many of our 6th Form students have already shown an interest in applying in future years ... The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship has definitely given our students something to aim for and aspire to.

Simon, Assistant Principal, Brigshaw High School & Language College

Clare (2008) and Carl Ward (Sinnott Fellow) on the panel at Global Jake (09) and a year 8 science class thinking about

Conversations Conference, discussing the best ways to make global the ethics and practicalities of biodegradable materials

issues real in the classroom

It's true, we send 'only' 100 young people overseas every year. BUT, we also work hard with our Alumni network and colleges, schools and teachers around the country to make sure that their experience is translated into resources benefiting a much wider community. We believe strongly in the role of each and every Fellow to act as an inspriation for others in their community and their responsibility to engage with the education sector. More information and resources available here.

If this scheme is only open to school and college leavers, why should you encourage your students to apply?

The British Council works hard to support schools implement and develop an international dimension. Global Fellows are individual examples of what schools can achieve by opening their students' eyes to the wider world, engaging in meaningful and mutual dialogue with another country.

Many schools report an increased level of interest in international links and work from their students in year groups, as a result perhaps of having had a student achieve a place on the scheme.

The majority of Fellows return to their schools, colleges and local communities to tell their story and share their experiences, giving a first-hand perspective of globalisation and global issues. This is their chance to engage their peers in asking new questions about what they need to do to respond to a rapidly-changing world.

The British Council is working ever more closely with schools and colleges, exploring themes that run through both the national curriculum and the PMGF and investigating ways in which we can make the experience more relevant to as many young people as possible. The engagement of young people in global issues, outside the boundaries of traditional community or regional networks is not a luxury ... it is both a right and a necessity. The world around us is changing so fast that surely one of the biggest challenges faced by teachers today is the need to equip all our young poeple with the skills and confidence to adapt to change, if not direct it themselves.

The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship aims to engage with young people to confront this issue head on.

The role of teachers and referees

The Acting Headteacher at my school called me into her office one fateful day with something along the lines of "Tom, I think you should have a look at this".

The role of teachers in supporting the PMGF is certainly not limited to encouraging their students to apply, leaving them to their own devices. A reference is required in support of all applications to the programme, usually from a teacher, headteacher or principal who knows the candidate well. This is not an academic reference as the programme has no specific academic requirements, but should comment on other attibutes including initiative, communication skills and maturity/attitide. For more information about the role of a referee, please see our page on applying for the fellowship.

If you are a teacher in a school or college interested in working with The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, info@global-fellowship.org, or call and speak to one of the team +44 (0)20 7389 4826/4465.