Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that lets our pupils and teachers learn at partner schools in other European countries.
What Erasmus+ means at school
The school is accredited in the programme, so every year we plan trips for pupils and teachers. We work with long-standing partners, including our partner school in Valencia, Spain. We also host groups of visitors from these schools.
Pupils attend lessons at the partner school, work in mixed teams on a shared topic and present their results in English.
Who travels
- Pupils in Grades 7–8 – a group spends a week of lessons at a partner school, accompanied by two teachers.
- Teachers – observe lessons at partner schools (job shadowing, i.e. learning by accompanying another teacher at work) and take part in teaching methodology courses.
- The whole school – when we host visitors, different classes take part in activities with them, not only the travelling group.
Erasmus+ in numbers
A year in the Erasmus+ programme
September
Meeting with participants' parents
We go through the trip programme, the rules during the stay, the packing list and how to contact the teachers in charge.
October
Visitors and the trip
At the beginning of the month we host a group from our partner school. At the end of the month our group spends a week with the partners.
November – February
Working with partners remotely
Classes continue the shared topic with the partners through messages and video calls during lessons.
March
Teacher trips
Teachers observe lessons at partner schools and then bring new ideas into their own lessons.
April
Applications for the autumn trip
We accept applications from pupils who will be in Grade 7 or 8 from September.
May – June
Preparing the new group and summing up
A new group starts preparation classes. We present the results of our joint work at the June project show.
How we select participants
There are fewer places than applicants, so we use transparent criteria. We announce them in April, together with the application deadline. Foreign language grades are neither the only nor the most important criterion.
- the pupil's motivation, checked in a short conversation with the coordinator;
- involvement in school life and in preparing the joint project;
- a behaviour grade of at least good;
- priority for pupils who have not yet travelled in the programme;
- equal opportunities for pupils who would find it harder to travel abroad in another way.
The group is chosen by a panel: the programme coordinator, the form teacher and the school counsellor. We also keep a reserve list in case someone withdraws.
How to join a trip
Request
The pupil submits a short application to the coordinator, together with the parents' preliminary consent.
Interview
The coordinator talks with each candidate about why they want to go and what they can bring to the project.
List of participants
The panel announces the list of participants and the reserve list. Parents are informed through the e-register.
Consents and documents
Parents sign the consent to travel and an information sheet about the child's health. They also check that the identity document is valid.
Preparation
From May to October participants attend preparation classes and work on the project topic.
Language and cultural preparation
Before the trip, participants have weekly English classes focused on speaking. They practise introducing themselves, asking the way, conversations at the table and presenting the project.
In the same classes they learn about the partner country: school customs, everyday life and a few phrases in the hosts' language. Participants also prepare a short presentation about our school and Zielonogaj.
Who pays for the trip
The Erasmus+ programme covers participants' travel, accommodation, meals and insurance. Parents do not pay for their child to take part in the trip.
The pupil takes a valid identity document and a European Health Insurance Card. Pocket money for small expenses is optional; we agree the amount together at the parents' meeting.
Parents' questions about Erasmus+
Does my child need to speak good English to go?
No. A willingness to communicate and taking part in the preparation classes are enough. On site, pupils work in mixed teams in which everyone is learning the language.
Does a pupil who did not travel miss out?
Whole classes work on the shared topic, not only the travelling group. Everyone can also meet the visitors from the partner school when we host them in October.
How does my child catch up on lessons missed during the trip?
Absence during the trip is excused. Subject teachers agree with pupils what needs to be caught up and by when, with no extra tests in the first week after their return.
What about my child's diet or medication?
Parents record all health and dietary needs on the information sheet. The teachers in charge pass them on to the partner school before the trip and make sure they are followed there.
Can we withdraw after being selected?
Yes. Please let us know as early as possible so that someone from the reserve list can take the place.
I was most afraid that I would not understand the lessons. After two days I was talking with the whole group, and I presented our presentation myself.
The daily messages from the supervisors really reassured us. Our son came back with new friends and is happy to speak English.
Karolina Bielska, English teacher – Erasmus+ programme coordinator
We reply on working days, within three days.
Erasmus+ in the news
All news →
Erasmus+: welcoming guests from our partner school in Spain
For a week we hosted twelve pupils and two teachers from our partner school in Valencia, Spain. The visitors attended lessons with us and worked together with our pupils on a joint project.
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Erasmus+: getting ready to welcome our visitors from Spain
This week a group arrives from our partner school in Valencia. Pupils in Grades 7–8 have prepared the programme for the week, guides to the school and stations for joint workshops.
Read more →Erasmus+: teachers observed lessons at a partner school
Four teachers spent a week at a partner school as part of the Erasmus+ programme. They observed lessons, talked with the host teachers and brought back ideas that we are already trying out in our classes.
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