Teaching staff from Luttrellstown Community College, Dublin wanted to learn and understand the implementation of the established Computer Science and Engineering programme at Lycee Victor Schoelcher in Martinique and its further development as part of the curriculum. The teacher wanted to compare it to the Irish Leaving Certificate Computer Science Programme, which she is teaching at Luttrellstown CC. The teacher wanted to compare the organisation and the distribution of science subjects at Junior and Senior Level between the Irish school system and the French system used at Lycee Victor Schoelcher. The teacher wanted to learn about and understand student autonomy in choosing topics in individual science subjects at senior level. The teacher wanted to share experiences of different teaching methodologies, in particular Inquiry Based Science Education. The participants wanted to learn and understand the use of digital media in any subject taught at the lycée, compare and understand selected aspects regarding the management of a large size secondary school, and learn and understand the implementation of both extra-curricular activities and any subjects, activities or topics related to “Well-being” at the lycée.
Our school, Luttrellstown Community College (LCC), Dublin, was contacted by a science teacher from the participating school in Forte-de-France, Martinique, France in October 2018, looking for an Irish school with a strong and modern science and IT department for a two-week Erasmus+ job shadowing internship. Consequently, Mme Valerie Telle visited Luttrellstown Community College, Dublin, in March 2019. During this time a positive working relationship was built amongst all participating staff. It became clear that there was an interest in continuing the established relationship between the two schools and exploring further options for Erasmus+ programmes that would benefit staff and students of both schools alike. An invitation to visit Lycee Schoelcher in Martinique was given by Mme Telle and the areas of interest for a return visit by a science teacher and member of school management from Luttrellstown Community College were identified. Focus was given to namely teaching science, IT and management of a large secondary school. Going forward, it was envisaged to explore further fields of interest for an Erasmus+ exchange programme for staff and students from other departments, namely French for LCC and English for Lycee Schoelcher.