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About the programme

Introducing Inter-Action: sections européennes and specialist schools

The Inter-Action: sections européennes and specialist schools programme promotes Anglo-French school partnerships by pairing English and French schools and supporting them to work together. It is jointly managed by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the Centre international d'études pédagogiques.

The programme began in 2001 (when it was known as the LC-SE project) to bring language colleges into contact with those schools in France with a section europeénne.

Nearly 200 pairings have been established since 2001, with 50 new partnerships forming in 2007-08 alone. Schools of all specialisms are now involved, and many schools use their specialism as a focus for partnership projects.

Amongst the innovative projects taking place in Inter-Action partnerships all areas of the curriculum are represented; science and the environment, history and culture, geography of the region, the arts, music and sport are all common themes. Language learning remains an important element, but the programme can rightfully claim to support the whole curriculum. Schools with a vocational or SEN specialism are also using the programme to promote their activity through French links, while in France, more lycées professionnels with sections européennes have joined the scheme. See the case studies page for more examples.

Some partnerships are made up of clusters of schools working together to bring their students into contact with France.

New name

The programme's new name, Inter-Action: sections européennes and specialist schools, reflects the diversity and breadth of partnerships created. It tells the whole story: the programme is about inter-national and inter-personal communication. It enables teachers and students to engage in real inter-action in their learning.

This new website is a resource for teachers in both countries. It is part of our improved advice and support for partnership schools.

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Ministère de l'Education in France and the French Embassy in the UK for their support for the programme.