What we do at the International Development Unit.

The International Development Unit will advise on international partnership activities and professional development opportunities that are available. This includes the Teachers' International Development Programme run by the DCSF. The Teachers' International Professional Development (TIPD) programme provides opportunities for teachers to experience best practice in international education by participating in short-term study visits to other countries. Since the programme was launched in 2000, thousands of teachers have benefited from the annual £3 million in funding from DCSF, visiting schools in over 50 countries across the world, as far afield as South Africa and Singapore.

We work closely with schools to give advice on International projects, with information on best practice and guidelines to safe travel. The aim is to encourage every school to participate in International projects.

We can advise on the various funding opportunities and International Education programmes that are available, including EU Commission funded or part funded projects such as Link:Ed (linking Nord Pas-de-Calais and Kent educationalists). This is a cross border project co-financed by the European Commission under the INTERREG 3A programme. The project between Kent County Council and the Academie De Lille, Nord-Pas De Calais in France includes various study visits, school partnership linking seminars and vocational education visits. These have been successfully accomplished with more cross-border visits planned.

We also operate the Hardelot International Education and Conference centre in Nord Pas-de-Calais. This unique facility is used by schools who want to have a truly cultural, educational experience for their students and by staff who use the centre for various purposes including management team meetings and team building exercises. Go to the Hardelot page on our site for all the information about the centre, activities and to download your booking forms.

Our Links and Exchanges Officer will advise you on the best methods to create a successful partnership with a school in another country. We can locate an International school that wishes to have a partnership with a Kent school and advise you on the processes that will help you on your way. Please see our Links and Exchanges page for more information.