Introducing Inter-Action: sections européennes and specialist schools
The Inter-Action: sections europeennes and specialist schools programme promotes Anglo-French school partnerships by pairing English and French schools and supporting them to work together. It is jointly managed by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the Centre international d'etudes pedagogiques.
The programme began in 2001 (when it was known as the LC-SE
project) to bring language colleges into contact with those schools in France with a section
europeénne. Schools of all specialisms are now involved in the programme and many schools use their specialism/s as a focus for themed projects.
Amongst the innovative projects taking place in Inter-Action partnerships all areas of the curriculum are represented; science and the environment, history and culture, geography of the region, the arts, music and sport are all common themes. Language learning remains an important element, but the programme can rightfully claim to support the whole curriculum. Schools with an applied learning or SEN specialism are also using the programme to promote their activity through French links, while in France, more lycées professionnels with sections européennes have joined the scheme. See the case studies page for more examples.
Some partnerships are made up of clusters of schools working together to bring their students into contact with France.
InterAction-Plus
Contacts between England and France have been increased in recent years through area links, in which local authorities in England formally agree a partnership with a specific part of France in order to promote social exchange.
A new strand of the Inter-Action: sections europeennes and specialist schools programme, InterAction-Plus, began in 2008. InterAction-Plus links English schools with French schools from their area link region.
The annual partnership conference
Every year, new schools joining the programme gather together at the annual partnership conference, which takes place alternately in England and France.
The annual conference event is central to the process of building
lasting and fruitful relationships, as it presents the chance for colleagues
from both countries to meet in person and to formulate plans for joint
activities. New partner schools appreciate the support and advice offered
by experienced speakers and the programme team. The 2010 national and
area-link conferences took place in Paris at the Centre
international d'etudes pedagogiques.
This website is a resource for teachers in both countries. It is part of our improved advice and support for partnership schools.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Department for Education and the Ministere de l'Education in France for their support for the Inter-Action programme.
