Giving Schools a Global Dimension

There is a global dimension to every aspect of our lives and communities. Sustainable development isn’t just about the environment - and it isn’t something we can achieve in isolation.

The air we breathe, the food we eat and the clothes we wear link us to people, environments and economies all over the world. The decisions we make on a daily basis have a global impact.

Schools, through their curriculum, campus and community, have an important role to play in helping pupils to make sense of the complexity of our world and their place in it.

Eight Concepts

The eight key concepts of the global dimension provide a useful tool for thinking about what the global dimension means for curriculum, campus and community. They are: global citizenship; conflict resolution; social justice; values and perceptions; sustainable development; interdependence; human rights; and diversity. They are described in more detail in the centre spread of ‘Developing a Global Dimension in the School Curriculum.’

Schools can use the eight concepts in developing a range of policies. For example, leadership staff can consider the relevance of the eight concepts for their school’s inclusion, community cohesion and anti-bullying policies.

Local Issues, Global Perspective

The global is not far away but right here. There is a global dimension to local issues and exploring this can provide an illuminating insight into topics such as food, climate, migration and equality. It also provides an accessible way in to understanding complex global issues.

Pupils get much of their information about global issues from the media so need a lot of support in interrogating this information critically and considering a range of perspectives. Providing space for teachers to discuss and reflect on these issues, however, can help children develop critical thinking skills that will serve them for life.

Make your School a Global School

Integrating the global dimension into all aspects of school life can engage and motivate both teachers and pupils.

There is a global dimension to each of the eight Sustainable School doorways and the whole school community needs to be involved in considering the implications of living in a complex, interdependent world when deciding on the vision and aims of the school.

Headteachers should consider the unique contributions each subject can make to understanding the global dimension and write the global dimension into the school development plan. They could even designate a specific member of staff to develop the global dimension across the school.

Local and National Support

Development Education Centres (DEC’s), non-governmental organisations, local authorities and others can support schools with resources, newsletters, speakers, professional development and projects.

Schools can also use external organisations such as these to act as a critical friend, helping them to teach about complex and controversial issues and avoid pitfalls such as reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Further information and guidance on the global dimension can be found by visiting www.globaldimension.org.uk where you can also sign up for a termly newsletter.