September 2014

The know zone

  • Thinking alike...
    ASCL’s first independent schools conference heard how the key challenges of a modern, self-improving education system are actually common to schools and colleges of all kinds, says Rosanne Musgrave. More
  • A lighter touch
    Suzanne O’Farrell looks at the changes to Ofsted inspections being introduced this year ahead of a new framework in September 2015. More
  • Moving on up
    Introducing Ahead – ASCL’s new support services for ambitious middle leaders More
  • Shaping the future
    World Shapers is a whole-school approach to global citizenship from Oxfam Education that has been developed with schools. World Shapers aims to embed global citizenship throughout all areas of school life, enabling students to become world-aware and understand the power of their voice in a global society. Oxfam works with participating schools to provide a bespoke programme and ongoing support. More
  • Performance-related positive
    Done openly and constructively, performance-related pay (PRP) can speak positively about the status of teaching, ensuring that decisions about pay and promotion focus on objective evidence and a consideration of the impact that a teacher is having on very specific aspects of school or college improvement. More
  • Tied or tested?
    The new Progress 8 performance measure is due to come into effect in 2015. What are your thoughts on it? Is Progress 8 a better way of assessing school performance? Are you thinking of opting in to the new measure or are you undecided? Here ASCL members share their thoughts on this important issue. More
  • Leaders' surgery
    David Snashall talks about three real situations from the calls received through the ASCL hotline all to do with social media – an issue that some school and college leaders are inexperienced with. More
  • Endangered species
    Hiding behind lengthy titles and even longer PowerPoint presentations while cooking up strategic action plans and implementing universal solution provision, just what is the point of that army of jargon-spouters invading your school life? More
  • Powers of intervention
    Events towards the end of the last school year have made the basis and extent of powers of intervention in schools of greater interest, as Leora Cruddas explains. More
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World Shapers is a whole-school approach to global citizenship from Oxfam Education that has been developed with schools. World Shapers aims to embed global citizenship throughout all areas of school life, enabling students to become world-aware and understand the power of their voice in a global society. Oxfam works with participating schools to provide a bespoke programme and ongoing support.

Shaping the future

Who is it for?

World Shapers will be of interest to school and college leaders who are committed to putting active engagement with the wider world at the heart of the school’s ethos and curriculum. 

The project is currently working with schools in Greater Manchester, London and Oxford but if your school is in another area of England, Oxfam may still be able to work with you if you join with two or more other local schools (secondary or primary).

What are the benefits to schools?

Basic membership offers a minimum four half-days of in-school support from Oxfam. This can include continuing professional development (CPD) on global citizenship, help with setting goals and implementing a development plan, and project support. In addition, schools receive ongoing guidance from a member of the Oxfam Education Advisory Team and have opportunities to share learning, achievements and planning with other World Shapers schools at review meetings.

Secondary schools also receive support to develop an Oxfam Youth Ambassadors programme, a great vehicle for developing student leadership, voice and participation. All World Shaper schools receive a membership pack containing tools to help define the vision, set goals and track progress. Above all, Oxfam provides a wealth of expertise, resources and information, drawing on its 50-year history of working with UK schools and its knowledge of real-world issues through its links with communities in more than 90 countries.

What are the impacts?

Claire Robins, ASCL member and headteacher at Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, reports: “It’s had a massive impact on the students because it has given them an opportunity to engage with what’s happening outside the classroom and think differently about the way they’re learning. We find that the confidence they develop through these projects spills over into all aspects of school life. And the opportunities for staff and students have so many spin-offs in ways we could never have seen at the start.”

What other activities is the organisation involved in?

The Oxfam Education website (www.oxfam.org.uk/education) offers a huge range of ideas, resources and support for global learning in the classroom and the whole school. Oxfam also offers a CPD programme for schools wishing to develop a global curriculum, student participation and active global citizenship, with advisory staff in England, Scotland and Wales.

How much does it cost?

Secondary school membership for the first year costs £1,495, which is reduced to £745 for each subsequent year.


To find out more about World Shapers visit www.oxfam.org.uk/worldshapers where you can watch a short video and download a brochure containing full details. For further enquiries, contact Oxfam Education on 0300 200 1300 or education@oxfam.org.uk

World Shaper brochure image - credit Crispin Hughes .jpg

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