Positive Outlook Through European Link
10 March 2010
Professor Dennis Hayes
As the Head of the Research Centre for Education and Career Development what impresses me about the project is that it encourages pupils to do some serious and structured research into social concerns and to investigate the causes and motivations behind the superficial responses to them that all too often just demonise young people
”Pupils from Derbyshire have formed a European link in a project to promote positive behaviour.The Pingle School in Swadlincote has teamed up with Rudskolan School in Karlstad, Sweden, in a Derbyshire County Council-led project.
The county council and its partners - Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and the University of Derby - secured £32,000 in funding from the British Council under its Comenuis Regio scheme.The scheme aims to create a network of European partners to share innovative practice across education.
Exchange visits have already taken place between representatives from partner organisations in Derbyshire and Karlstad.And pupils from The Pingle School will visit Rudskolan School between 15-19 March, with Rudskolan pupils making the return journey between April 26-30.
Councillor Mike Longden, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, said: "This is a good example of partner organisations working closely together - both in Derbyshire and overseas.
"The pupils involved have already formed strong links with their Swedish friends. "They are in regular contact to work together on projects and the exchange visits will give them first hand experience of each other's cultures.
"They will look at all aspects of anti-social behaviour to come up with ways of promoting positive behaviour."
A film maker will follow students on their exchange visits to record footage of their experiences.
A conference will be hosted in Derbyshire in May 2011 to discuss the findings of all parties. School lesson plans will then be created to promote positive behaviour.
For media enquiries related to this story please contact Sean Boyle in the County Council press office on 01629 538467, or the University's Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038.
