Our programme objectives were: -To increase the presence of the European dimension and diversity in our school and community. We needed to continue the process that we started a few years ago, leading our school community (and the whole community as our students are our future citizens) into a path of opportunity and an open door to Europe. Diversity is not always easy to accept, work needs to be done not only to accept it, but also to embrace it. Erasmus brings our students (and staff) the opportunity to deal with diversity closely. -To increase excellence in teaching and learning to multiply effects. Motivated, well-prepared teachers are crucial to achieve our goals with students. One thing cannot happen without the other. First-hand experience is the best way to keep the cycle going. As staff, we need to be able to keep up with the change that our students demand. Very often do we nurture curiosity and willingness to improve ourselves when in contact with other teachers from completely different environments, as well as from the teacher training. -To increase environmental awareness by incorporating green skills to the teaching and learning process. An essential target, which should be embedded in every single of our actions.
Since we plunged into Erasmus 7 years ago, we have seen change around us; genial change. From our timid taste of Erasmus with a KA1 for teaching staff (6 mobilitiess) to being part of a six-country project of student mobilities. We have now finalised our second KA122 for staff (11 teaching and non-teaching participants). It is obvious that the international dimension in general and the Erasmus involvement in particular has spread among our community and we believe that it is beginning to be established and integrated in our school life and school ethos. As a rural and remote and DEIS school, we have some challenges in terms of early school dropping, unemployment and accessibility to equal opportunities as well as obvious geographical access barriers. Through Erasmus we have opened a door to Europe, we firmly believe that access to opportunities for our learners is now closer. We have found that the more staff involved the more return we get, which is reverted and positively impacts our students. A clear example of this is the level of commitment and involvement in Erasmus-related activities of our school community.