The new president for the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) has released the results of a new survey of GSA heads.
Jane Prescott is also head of Portsmouth High School GDST, and governor and trustee of state-funded Purbrook Park School.
In terms of what schools can do to prepare children for a global world, the most popular response was ‘increase opportunities for shared experiences for children from different cultures and countries’ (88.37%), followed by ‘develop children’s empathy and confidence so they can communicate with a wide variety of people’ (83.72%).
Also, 39.53% of heads said schools should make studying at least one modern language compulsory after age 14.
While 38.10% said Chinese Mandarin is the most important modern language for today’s children to learn.
Many schools are already doing great things to develop agile learners ready to thrive in a more globally-connected future. But so often these are co-curricular activities
In terms of what society can do to prepare children for a global world, the most popular response was ‘support education for all children worldwide’ (74.42%), followed by ‘slow man-made climate change’ (69.77%) and ‘be more respectful of the needs of others’ (60.47%).
Prescott said: “Many schools are already doing great things to develop agile learners ready to thrive in a more globally-connected future. But so often these are co-curricular activities that can be optional or subject to the interests of individual teachers.
“I’d really like to see every school doing at least one thing to prepare children for a more globally-connected world in a way that is more formally acknowledged within the school curriculum.”
How can schools prepare children for a global world?
- Teach global citizenship in PSHCE
- Model United Nations programmes
- Adults routinely share experiences with people from different cultures and countries
- Develop resources for schools in other countries
- Host a Festival of Languages for local schools
- Community service programmes in the local community
- Extra-curricular expeditions, exchange trips and ongoing partnership with schools around the globe
- Workshops to help pupils recognise the influence of culture on perception and priorities
- Bring a global perspective to existing lessons
Does your school have an idea for preparing students for a global world? Get in touch at jo.golding@wildfirecomms.co.uk
