Erasmus+ for Schools 2018 Call information
2 Erasmus+ for Schools About Erasmus+ Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. It runs for seven years, from 2014 to 2020, with organisations invited to apply for funding each year to undertake unique and worthwhile activities. Erasmus+ in the UK is managed by the UK National Agency, a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK. Changing Lives, Opening Minds Erasmus+ enables your school to organise teaching or training abroad for your teachers and other support staff, to exchange the best in modern European schools practice, improve teaching or staff practices and make your school s European Development Plan come to life. You can create partnerships with other schools, with local or regional authorities and with organisations involved in education and training or youth practice across the European Union and beyond. From 2018, you can also exchange staff and pupils with schools across Europe, through the new School Exchange Partnerships. There is a range of online tools to support you through the process such as the School Education Gateway portal, which is a source of school education policy and resources, as well as a partner and opportunities finding tool and etwinning, where you can start, grow or extend your partnership or Erasmus+ project. There s a whole world of opportunities for schools within Erasmus+. Erasmus+ and Brexit The UK Government has stated publicly that the United Kingdom is committed to continuing full participation in the Erasmus+ programme up until we leave the European Union. It will underwrite successful bids for Erasmus+ that are submitted while the UK is still a Member State, even if they are not approved until after we leave, and/or payments continue beyond the point of exit. Practical details regarding how this will be implemented will be discussed with the Department for Education (the UK s Erasmus+ National Authority). In the meantime the Government encourages UK applicants to continue to apply for funding until we leave the EU. More information is on the Brexit webpage at erasmusplus.org.uk/brexit-update
3 Key facts and figures Over its lifetime, Erasmus+ has an overall budget of 14.7 billion for the development of knowledge and skills. A proportion of this budget is allocated to provide funding for schools projects. Sport (1.8%) Jean Monnet (1.9%) Other (8.8%) Youth (10%) Higher education (43%) VET (22%) Education and training (77.5%) Education & Training Schools (15%) Adult education Unallocated (5%) (15%) With this funding, by 2020, the European Union aims to support: more than 200,000 teachers collaborating online and involving more than 100,000 schools through etwinning; 800,000 lecturers, teachers, trainers, education staff and youth workers to teach or train abroad; 25,000 partnerships, involving 125,000 organisations, to implement joint initiatives and promote exchange of experience, know-how and links with the world of work. erasmusplus.org.uk
4 Erasmus+ for Schools What can I do? There are a number of different funding streams available under Erasmus+ for which UK schools providing general, vocational or technical education at any level from pre-school to upper secondary education can apply. Schools funding is split into two areas: Funding for teaching or training abroad for school staff. This activity is known as mobility and is Key Action 1 of Erasmus+; Funding to link with other organisations to exchange staff and pupils or develop innovation and exchange of good practices. This is known as Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships between schools, local and regional authorities and other sectors. Information on all schools funding opportunities can be found on our website at: erasmusplus.org.uk/schools-funding
5 Mobility for school staff (Key Action 1) Teaching or training abroad Whether you are a teacher or support staff in a school, Key Action 1 is the funding strand that applies to you as an individual. It is about mobility which would usually mean you spend time abroad. Mobility projects can cover one or more of the following: study courses, observation, job shadowing, training and teaching. Overall, projects last from between 1 to 2 years, but for individuals or groups of staff this can mean activity for as little as 2 days or up to 2 months in duration. Mobility projects are transnational and so all project activity except structured courses or training events must involve at least two schools your own school and the partner school(s) abroad. To successfully apply for funding for a Mobility Key Action 1 project a school should be aiming to support the professional development of some or all of the school staff, as a part of the school s European Development Plan. Types of Mobility for school staff include: a teaching assignment: allowing staff of school education organisations to teach at a partner organisation abroad; staff training: supporting the professional development of school staff (including nonteaching staff) in either: - participation in structured courses or training events abroad; or - a job shadowing/observation period abroad in any relevant organisation active in school education. You can also apply for funding to exchange pupils and staff with schools across Europe, through Key Action 2 School Exchange Partnerships. erasmusplus.org.uk
6 Erasmus+ for Schools Funding An Erasmus+ grant is intended as a contribution to the costs of your project so it may not cover the total cost. Funding will come in the form of a unit cost or (a percentage of the) real cost. You could receive the following funding per participant: Travel from the place of origin to the venue of the activity. Individual support this is for day to day costs of attending the project including local travel, food and accommodation. Course fees enrolment fee. Organisational support this is for organisation, management and implementation of the activity and can cover supply staff costs. Special needs support specific additional costs for participants with a disability or specific needs. British Council
7 Strategic Partnerships (Key Action 2) Under Key Action 2, funding is now available for two types of school partnership projects. These are School Exchange Partnerships, new for 2018, and Strategic Partnerships between other education and training organisations working in school education. Schools can choose to be the lead organisation or the partner. Projects can last between one and three years, or a pro rata duration in between. The lead organisation applies to the Erasmus+ National Agency in their country for funding on behalf of the project as a whole. New for 2018: School Exchange Partnerships If your school wants to expand your international outlook, improve language learning through real life experience, visit etwinning partners or start a new partnership with a European school, it is now even easier to arrange exchanges of pupils and staff for as few as three days at a time. Eligible schools (and colleges) can send groups of pupils on short-term exchanges, accompanied by staff, lasting from three days to two months. For long-lasting partnerships, schools can also offer long-term exchanges for pupils aged over 14 of between two months and one year. Through School Exchange Partnerships you can also send staff on short-term joint staff training events of three days to two months and long-term teaching or training assignments of between two months and one year. erasmusplus.org.uk
8 Erasmus+ for Schools School Education Partnerships These are projects across a minimum of three countries, supporting exchange of practices or supporting innovation, and can cover partnerships between organisations working in the field of school education, such as universities, local authorities, charities, schools and schools co-ordination bodies. School Education Partnership activity can involve: testing and implementing innovative approaches and practices for pupils, staff and organisations; cross-sectoral co-operation between schools and other organisations leading to curriculum development, reinforcing basic skills, combating violence in schools as some examples; activities to promote the integration of refugees, asylum seekers and newly arrived migrants and raise awareness about the refugee crisis in Europe; the encouragement of active citizenship and entrepreneurship; the use of etwinning for online collaboration between partners and/or students and for teacher, student teacher and teacher educator professional development. Funding An Erasmus+ grant is intended as a contribution to the costs of your project so it may not cover the total cost. Funding will come in the form of a unit cost or (a percentage of the) real cost. You could receive funding for the following: Project management. Transnational project meetings. Multiplier events. Producing intellectual outputs. Travel grants. Learning, teaching and training activities. Subsistence. Special needs support.
9 Partner finding, online tools and resources Sign up to etwinning.net etwinning is the European Commission s online community for schools. It is a free and secured online network where teachers can search specifically for prospective Erasmus+ partners. As part of the Erasmus+ programme, etwinning can be your first step to Mobility Key Action 1 and Strategic Partnerships Key Action 2 projects (including new School Exchange Partnerships). As a teacher in a school or college, you can search for partners and engage in flexible online projects and partnerships before applying for Erasmus+ funding. You and your students (aged between three and 19) can form short- or long-term partnerships, collaborate on a range of curriculum-based projects in any subject area, and use an array of exciting and innovative ICT tools. etwinning also offers a multitude of free professional development opportunities for teachers. Once funding is secured, you can collaborate, save and share your Erasmus+ project within a secure platform, free of charge. With more than 500,000 registered users, why not register on etwinning.net today? It is quick, safe and easy to use. As the National Support Service for etwinning in the UK, the British Council is there to support you through your etwinning journey. Arrange for a free workshop to be delivered at your school now via britishcouncil.org/etwinning erasmusplus.org.uk
10 Erasmus+ for Schools School Education Gateway School Education Gateway is a European Commission portal to help schools get the most from Erasmus+. It provides a one stop shop for teachers, schools, and education professionals on European education policy, news, trends, resources and opportunities. Importantly it provides helpful online tools to find partners and source professional development opportunities funded through Erasmus+. Before you apply for your Erasmus+ schools project, register on the School Education Gateway to find professional development and partnership opportunities for school staff to support Mobility Key Action 1 and Strategic Partnerships Key Action 2 projects. School Education Gateway has three vital tools for schools involved in Erasmus+: for Key Action 1 school staff mobility activities: - a course catalogue for finding and rating staff training opportunities - a mobility opportunities database for finding and posting job shadowing, observation and teaching assignment opportunities. for Key Action 2 partnerships for schools; - a partnerships area, for finding and posting partnership opportunities. The School Education Gateway is linked to etwinning and you can use your etwinning log-in to access it. Please visit: erasmusplus.org.uk/schooleducationgateway for more information.
11 Why take part? Builds relationships Erasmus+ can strengthen relationships between staff, pupils and teachers as well as build links with the wider community. One out of two partnerships has led to more parental involvement in school and to improved collaboration with local authorities. Erasmus+ can be a part of your school s international and partnership activity these activities can help with your education inspection, or school improvement plan. Helps you retain valued staff Erasmus+ activities make staff feel valued. The chance to spend time in another European country, studying, job shadowing or on a school partnership visit, means staff also return to school refreshed, energised and more motivated. Improves teaching and learning etwinning and Erasmus+ actions apply pedagogical principles such as motivation, technical integration and socialisation to promote the acquisition of 21st century skills. Crosscurricular projects (which can involve students of different ages) help teachers and students, including those who are difficult to engage or less academic, to collaborate in new ways. Other benefits for your school; Costs for supply staff can be covered in the funding. Supports the delivery of modern foreign languages across your school. Improves the quality of teaching and learning across your school. Improves self-confidence and motivation among both staff and pupils. Travel opportunities in Europe for staff and pupils. Increases skills and competences among all staff, not only teachers. Enhances pupils and teachers intercultural awareness and understanding. Builds pupils life skills, which will help with future employment. Enhances the reputation of your school in the UK and throughout Europe. erasmusplus.org.uk
12 Erasmus+ for Schools Case studies Tendring Technology College (Key Action 2) Every Child Matters Refugees and Immigrants in Education In September 2016 Tendring Technology College (TTC) in Essex started working with partner schools in Turkey, Portugal, Italy and Greece to compare their school education of refugees and immigrants. They are gaining a better understanding of the issues these groups face and exchanging best practice on how to support them. During the 18-month project about 70 pupils and 30 staff from TTC will collaborate online through etwinning, and take part in exchanges and meetings, with TTC students helping non-english speakers to develop speaking and writing, and learning phrases in other languages. The students and teachers will then share their learning and experience with their fellow pupils and colleagues, and produce teaching resources for others. The students found out a lot about each other and became more confident in the process. Those who visited the refugee camp in Lesbos in Greece said that they found the experience humbling. This is my first organisation of an Erasmus+ project and it has been an amazing experience, for students as well as teachers. Valentina Burley, Tendring Technology College British Council
13 Balwearie High School (Key Action 2) Innovative and Entrepreneurial Solutions to Climate Change Balwearie High School, in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, was awarded Erasmus+ funding in 2015 to run a two-year project working with schools in Finland and Germany. The project involved students, from 12 to 15 years old, creating novel approaches and entrepreneurial ways to tackle climate change, conducting surveys, completing scientific research projects, and studying national and EU policies promoting sustainable and renewable energy solutions. The students were also able to take part in lessons and activities in their partner countries, visiting Heureka, the Finnish Science Center in Vantaa, and taking part in a workshop at VW in Wolfsburg to build a car run by solar energy. All participating teachers also observed the different teaching methodologies in each other s countries and are developing more formal Continuous Professional Development activities. Although activities and different parts of the project were closely connected to the curriculum of each country and school, we used an innovative approach that was different from everyday school work and will be something for pupils and staff to remember for years to come. Andrew Ross, Balwearie High School erasmusplus.org.uk
14 Erasmus+ for Schools How to apply A step-by-step guide to applying 1 Be an eligible UK school Check your school is on the relevant UK country education department s database with a URN/SEED, as appropriate. You will need to be a school recognised by the government. Visit: erasmusplus.org.uk/eligibleschools 2 Sign up to etwinning and the School Education Gateway for free Finding appropriate partners is key to a successful project. You can search for partners using both the etwinning portal and the School Education Gateway (which allows you to use your etwinning login). Find out more: britishcouncil.org/etwinning 3 Review your organisational and financial capacity As part of your application you will need to demonstrate that you have the capacity to successfully administer and deliver your Erasmus+ project. 4 Decide on your project Decide on a project for your school based on the activities allowed under a Key Action.
15 5 6 Register on EU Login and obtain your PIC Create an EU Login account and register in the Portal to obtain a nine digit PIC (Participant Identification Code) which you and your partners will need in order to complete the eform. Fill out the eform Choose the correct eform for your sector, Key Action and funding round. Ensure you have enough time to do this, check that all fields are correctly filled out and validate the form. Only then will you be able to submit. 7 Check the deadline and dates Check and double-check the deadline and the time for submitting your online application form. Also check the project start and end dates. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Visit: erasmusplus.org.uk/schools-funding for more information. erasmusplus.org.uk
16 Erasmus+ for Schools How to apply Top tips UK schools recognised by the government (and not teachers or pupils by themselves) can apply for Erasmus+ funding to run their mobility, partnership or other projects each year. Schools may only apply for funding for one project per Round of funding. For Key Action 1 and Key Action 2 there is generally one deadline in a calendar year. We publish these deadlines on the UK website as soon as they are announced by the European Commission. This is referred to as a Call for Proposals. Please note that all applications must be made by an organisation, not by individuals, whether for Key Action 1 or Key Action 2. Applications are made online. There is a specific electronic application form for each Key Action and sector, so it is important to use the correct form. Five top tips: 1. Whether you have been successful or unsuccessful in applying for funding for a project, you can still apply for another project in the next funding Round. 2. Start your application well before the due date, in case there are any issues with IT on deadline day. 3. When your PIC is entered into an application form, your organisation s details will be entered automatically. 4. You should refer to your school s European Development Plan in your application, to show the school vision for European activities which support teaching and learning. 5. Feeling confused by the jargon? Visit erasmusplus.org.uk/glossary for a glossary of terms. Read more top tips at erasmusplus.org.uk/toptips
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18 Erasmus+ for Schools Support from the UK National Agency Whether you are new to the programme, or have applied before, at the UK National Agency we are here to support you all the way, from application guidance through to managing your project. Erasmus+ information sessions these are aimed at newcomers, and take place each autumn in locations across the UK. Presentations from these sessions are published on our website. Guides for applicants for each Key Action and sector, we provide application guidance documents, available for download from our website. Application support webinars these may be pre-recorded or live events, which may include a Q&A session, for more detail on the application process in the run-up to the funding deadline(s). Advice sessions you can call or email us for specific advice about completing your application and we may also occasionally run extra advice webinars or events. Visit erasmusplus.org.uk/events for upcoming events. 2018 application deadlines There are two deadlines in 2018 for Schools funding applications: Key Action and activity Sector Deadline (11am, UK time) Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals Schools 1 February 2018 Key Action 2: Strategic Partnerships Schools 21 March 2018
19 Contact us The UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK. This page sets out how you can contact us for advice and guidance on Erasmus+. Enquiries on schools funding T: 0161 957 7755 E: erasmusplus.enquiries@britishcouncil.org Erasmus+ erasmusplus.org.uk @erasmusplusuk ukerasmusplus erasmusplus.org.uk
Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. The Erasmus+ UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK. December 2017