TEACHERS from three C of E primary schools in Lincolnshire that have forged partnerships with schools in Lebanon have taken their joint project on education for the 21st century a step further. Six teachers from Lincolnshire, and staff from their partner schools in Beirut, met last month in Amman, Jordan, to develop ideas on classroom teaching and the core skills needed for the 21st century.

The Anglo-Lebanese group, which included staff from three C of E primary schools — Frances Olive Anderson, Gainsborough; Saxilby; and Coningsby St Michael’s — visited schools in Amman that are educating large numbers of refugee children.

A teacher at Frances Olive Anderson, Stewart Cook, who is the international co-ordinator for the group, said: “Visiting these schools was an eye-opener. Despite their circumstances, these children were keen and eager to learn.”

The visit was planned as part of the British Council’s scheme Connecting Classrooms, which includes more than 30 countries and is a partnership with the Department for International Development. The Lincolnshire and Beirut teachers have already visited each other’s schools, and pupils are regularly in touch through video conferencing.