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HOST A COMENIUS ASSISTANT
What is Comenius?
• Enhance the quality of European education
• Encourage the exchange of ideas and experience within the education systems of European countries
• Broaden the outlook and widen the experience of young Europeans
• Encourage a greater awareness of a shared European heritage
“The Comenius Assistantship has been a most worthwhile experience not only for the assistant but for the children of our school, the staff and our wider school community. I believe that we learned as much
from our Assistant as she learned from us.”- Gainford Primary School, Darlington
What does a Comenius Assistant do?
• Bring a European dimension to the school
• Introduce their culture across the curriculum
• Teach their native language
• Teach their specialist subject
• Help develop links with other countries
• Enhance extra-curricular life of school
Who are Comenius Assistants?
• Intending or trainee teachers of any subject
• Must not yet have been employed as a teacher
• Opportunity to gain teaching and cultural
experiences and be a “cultural ambassador” for
their country
• Funded by a grant from their own National
Agency
Where are Comenius Assistants from?
• Choice of 32 participating countries!– All EU Countries– Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein,
Switzerland– Turkey, Croatia
How does it work?
• Timetable of 12-16 hours a week
• Flexible duration (from 13 to 45 weeks)
• Flexible start date across academic year
• Cluster applications
• Application process – see Project
Lifecycle and Application Guidance
School Responsibilities: Preparation
• Child protection
– CRB plus Police Certificate from home country
• Insurance
• Assistance with finding accommodation
– Host Family? Private let? Flat share?
School Responsibilities: Support
• Support and mentoring – nominate a co-ordinator
• Regular meetings and evaluation
• Attend a regional briefing for host schools
• Submit a work programme to British Council
• Write a report at the end of placement
Are we eligible?• Assistant’s language not taught on curriculum (secondary
schools)
• Not hosting the same nationality for more than two consecutive years
• UK National Priorities - extra points are given to:
– Schools who have not hosted in 2009/10 or 2010/11
– Schools who have started Comenius School Partnerships in 2010, or applying to do so in 2011
– Schools registered with eTwinning or ISA
Timeline
• Application deadline: 31 January 2011
• Eligibility Assessment - February
• Quality Assessment (external) – March
• Informed of outcome – end of April
• Matching Process- May- June
• Receive Comenius Assistant’s details- end of June
• Comenius Assistants start from September 2011
Help and Advice
Comenius Website– Application Guidance– EC Good Practice
Guide for Hosts and Assistants
– Lifelong Learning Programme Guide
– Quality Assessment Criteria
Other sources– Contact Comenius
Team– Application
Surgeries
