The project is designed to develop new teaching methods and strategies, to develop innovative models of entrepreneurial education; to foster the integration of students from different social and cultural backgrounds; and to build basic skills. It will equip teachers with new skills and strategies, to help them to deliver high quality learning opportunities, and meet the needs of their students. It will use a system of teaching known as the "Commission Model" of education. This system asks young people to work together as a team, to carry out a "commission" of some kind, from a business, a charity, or other organisation in the community. The focus might be on research, design, marketing, website development, etc. The system is an effective way to develop entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for the world of work; as well as enabling them to acquire and practice basic skills in "real life" situations. It also fosters a sense of shared social responsibility; and promotes co-operative learning. The Commission Model builds links and encourages dialogue and exchange between educational organisations and businesses. The system supports teachers in the classroom. It is designed to be cross-curricular, fostering multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches, and integrating the teaching of basic skills (maths, science and literacy). One outcome of the project will be the development of new and innovative curricula and educational methods. Partners will produce "models" of the system in practice, together with teaching resources and schemes of work that can be used in the future by other teachers in their own schools. The resources will be suitable for use in multilingual classrooms. The project will also result in the development of training courses for teachers and educators in using the "Commission Model." The project will address social inclusion. Project partners are currently facing major challenges in integrating of learners from different social and cultural backgrounds. The project will help teachers to adopt new methods and tools. The emphasis in the "Commission Model" on co-operative learning will promote integration among students from different backgrounds; as well as developing confidence and resilience. The project will be used in partner countries as a model of good practice, and integrated in teacher training programmes. The project will bring together both education providers and teacher training institutions. The partners are: an arts and cultural organization (Midland Actors Theatre); a UK primary school (Woodrow First School); a vocational school in Turkey (Pagev Mesleki Ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi ); a secondary school in Germany (Herrenbach Mittelschule); a teacher training institute in Portugal (Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti); and a university in Poland (Spoleczna Akademia Nauk) which places an emphasis on business training and entrepeneurial skills. Partners will plan schemes of work together, which they will then deliver with their own students. A total of some 280 students will take part, in different countries. The project will pioneer a model of entrepreneurial education in schools and other institutions. It will also target young people with special learning needs; from refugee and migrant communities; and other disadvantaged groups. A filmed record of the project will be made; it will be edited, and project videos will be posted online. The films will show planning meetings, interviews with participants, and project delivery in classrooms in different countries. We will also produce a Teaching Guide, with schemes of work and teaching resources, so that other teachers can use the project in their own classrooms. The project will have a wider legacy. It will be rolled out and embedded as a teaching programme in a number of schools/colleges in partner countries; and it will also be incorporated in teacher training courses. We will raise awareness of the project through national and international networks, We believe that it will have an impact on educational policies in partner countries, and on curriculum development, in its development of an innovative model of entrepreneurial education, with new ways to address diverse needs in the classroom; and as a pupil-centred and enquiry-based form of pedagogy.
The Commission Model was developed by Dorothy Heathcote. Part of our aim was to develop our own understanding of the system, as well as to raise awareness of it, and extend its use in different educational contexts. Our aim was to embed the use of the Commission Model in partner countries; and to develop it as a tool to build basic skills, and as a model for entrepreneurial education at primary, secondary and tertiary level. We believed it was vital to demonstrate how the system may be used in different teaching contexts and at different levels of education, to maximise its dissemination and application. The project brought together an arts and education organisation (Midland Actors Theatre); a primary school (Woodrow First School); two secondary schools (Herrenbach Mittelschule, Germany / Pagev Mesleki, Turkey); a teacher training institution (ESEPF, Portugal); and a university (Spoleczna Akademia Nauk, Poland). (Pagev Mesleki withdrew from the project at a certain point, to be replaced by a similar school, Yucel Boru Fen Lisesi.) We identified key target groups for the project: (1) students from disadvantaged backgrounds; (2) refugee and migrant groups; (3) students with learning difficulties.
The main aim of the project was the development of innovative teaching methods and strategies. It used a system of teaching known as the ‘Commission Model of Teaching". The project aims were to: (1) address different learning needs and increase integration of young people from different backgrounds (2) address disparities in learning outcomes in basic skills - including language competencies (3) develop teaching methods to prepare young people for the world of work We were aware that students often seem underprepared for the world of work. The idea behind the "Commission Model" system is that students are given a real-life "commission" of some kind - be it from a business, a charity, or other organisation in the community. They may be asked to design a new product; to develop a new website; to undertake market research, etc. Through different activities and tasks, the students take on some of the problems and challenges that professionals face in their work. The focus is on problem-solving, encouraging young people to become active learners, and take responsibility for their own learning. It builds self-confidence and self-esteem; as well as motivation and independence.