What was the GLP?
The Global Learning Programme (GLP) was an initiative that ran between 2013-2018, with the aim of offering young people the opportunity to learn about the world around them.
The GLP built a national network of like-minded schools committed to equipping their students to make a positive contribution to a globalised world. The programme was managed separately in each UK nation to reflect devolved education policy, and in England (GLP-E) was managed by a consortium of partners: Pearson, Geographical Association, UCL Institute of Education, Oxfam UK, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), SSAT and Think Global.
More than 7800 schools participated in the programme, with many experiencing the positive impact that global learning can have on pupils’ engagement, knowledge, skills and values.
By using global learning to enrich the curriculum, GLP schools discovered that global learning can help to develop critical thinking skills, promote SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development), and foster values such as respect and empathy.
Highlighted positively in inspection reports, global learning was reported as contributing to the enjoyment and learning of pupils in GLP schools – reinforcing their curriculum knowledge and understanding.
What's happening now?
Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning
The UK Government is now funding a global learning programme called Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning, delivered by British Council.
The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme is part of an initiative that introduces the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, to students and teachers in the UK and around the world. The programme aims to help pupils to understand the big issues that shape our world and equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to make a positive contribution.
Through Connecting Classrooms, educators can partner with other schools around the world, find resources and CPD training, and apply for funding to explore global issues with a partner school.
CoDEC
CoDEC (The Consortium of Development Education Centres) is the largest provider of global learning at the local level in England. Each of the member DECs is an independent, locally based, not-for-profit organisation whose core work is the support and delivery of global learning in schools and communities.
The members of the Consortium work in nearly 80 local authorities that together include more than 13,000 schools–more than half the schools in England. Find your local DEC.
CoDEC also run the Global Teachers’ Award course, endorsed by Oxfam and approved by the British Council for delivery within the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning CPD offer.
GLP Resources
We still host resources from the Global Learning Programme here on Global Dimension. Covering subjects from Art to Science to Modern Foreign Languages, and topics from Climate Change to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, these resources are still highly relevant and easily adaptable for your classroom today.
Please note these resources are no longer updated, and so may contain broken links.
