Projects

DEC(SY) is involved with a rich variety of projects. Current projects are summarised below. Also, you can see summaries of our recent projects.

The Global Dimension of SEAL Project

The key objective of this project is to provide clear pathways and appropriate resources for embedding the Global Dimension (GD) within the SEAL programme, engaging school pupils across South Yorkshire and beyond in global and development issues.

SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) is an explicit, structured, whole-curriculum framework and resource for teaching social, emotional and behavioural skills to all pupils, encompassing personal and inter-relationship issues. It has been embraced in the Yorkshire & Humber region firstly with celebration days and pilot schemes and now through a roll-out of SEAL to benefit 2,500 primary and secondary schools in the region. However, the potential of the SEAL framework to contribute to understanding global issues has yet to be explored.

DEC(SY)'s work around Every Child Matters and PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) indicates the importance and value of starting from where children are, recognising their different backgrounds and supporting them to value themselves and others, both in their class and across the world. A national SEAL contact said of this project:

'Social and emotional skills are really important to understanding the global dimension and this in turn is really rich material for SEAL. There is lots of mutual benefit.'

Partner pilot schools in South Yorkshire have been involved in developing, trialling and evaluating materials which are available to download from our website. Training on delivery of the Global Dimension and use of the resources can also be provided by DEC(SY).

Specific project outcomes include:
1. To enrich the whole-school ethos and curriculum by bringing a stronger global perspective into the SEAL National Strategy framework
2. To create motivation and interest in development issues amongst primary and secondary pupils in South Yorkshire through their personal learning experiences
3. To generate confidence and reinforce teacher practice in integrating the GD within SEAL
4. To use and evaluate the materials and experiences in South Yorkshire and beyond to inform SEAL programme development nationally.

The project is being co-ordinated by Clive Belgeonne and Nickey Brown, with support from a team of consultants who were involved in writing the SEAL National Strategy materials, local teachers, local authority SEAL Advisers and DECSY. To get in touch with the project contact Clive via DECSY.

A range of Learning Opportunities can be found on the project website:

Carbon Footprint Project - Global Justice in Practice

This is a 3 year project, funded by DfID, which will trial a model for schools wanting to move from ‘charity towards justice’ in their partnerships with schools in Africa. It will raise students’ awareness of environmental and development issues, of the Millennium Development Goals and of the imperative of local solutions in poverty reduction.

How does it work? The UK and African school measure their carbon footprints and the UK school agrees targets for reduction. The UK school then calculates its "carbon debt" - a price for how much they would have to pay if they were charged for the annual emissions they produce over their 'fair earth share'. They then fundraise in school to pay off this debt to their partner school, thus turning the traditional notion of charitable fundraising upside down - it is reframed as something that is owed rather than an act of charity. Curriculum work and events in school raise awareness about sustainability, interdependence and poverty reduction, in particular the 8 Millennium Development Goals.

Find out more at the project website or by downloading the introductory flyer:

A calculator tool to work out the carbon footprint of an African school is available to download from the website after you've logged in. This unique tool has been designed especially for the project - as well as the calculator, there is an accompanying worksheet allowing students to work though the calculations for themselves.

Global Collections

This DfID funded project (2009-12) is enhancing the Collections of cultural artefacts available for loan by local schools. The contents of the existing Collections is being revised to ensure contemporary relevance and new Collections are also being developed. A reference group of teachers from local schools are helping to develop teaching resources giving guidance on how the objects can be used to enhance children's understanding of developing countries, their connections with our lives and the imperative of poverty reduction.

The Collections are available for DECSY member schools to borrow, at a cost of £10 per 6-week period.

Special offer! If you would like staff training or support for pupils using the Global Collections then click here

For more information about this project please contact Helen at helen.griffin@decsy.org.uk

For a flyer introducing the project and showing all the Global Collections available click on the image below:

If you have recently borrowed a Collection from us, we would be grateful if you could complete a short feedback form . This will help us with updating and improving the Collections. Thank you.

Click on the images below to see the full contents of the updated Collections.

Kenya & Tanzania Collection:

Bangladesh Collection:

China (1) Collection:
"Excellent value. Objects are good quality and appropriate for age range. Activities excellent too." Y6 Class Teacher, April 2011

China (2) Collection:

Chinese New Year (1) Collection:

West Africa Collection:

Malawi Collection:

Ghana Collection:

Pakistan Collection:

Life in India Collection: