1. British Council School Ambassadors Programme
Background
British Council has been working with schools in India and Sri-Lanka for the past seven years. A journey that began with a
handful of selected schools has now grown into a large family of over 1000 schools associated with the British Council
through its array of programmes such as the Global School Partnerships, UK India Education Research Initiative,
International Inspiration, International School Award. A large number of schools have participated in the online
ELanguages programme; in September 2009 a group of 185 new schools joined us through the State Department s of
Education in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat along with Jawahar Navodaya
Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
This phenomenal growth is the acknowledgement of the fact that the opportunity of adding a global dimension to
curriculum and bringing the world to the classroom is valued by the school community. It is now well recognized that using
ICT and partnership activities contribute greatly to skills for success in the 21st century and create future ready citizen.
The British Council also believes that its programmes are valued by the schools because they are owned by the schools
and have evolved through its interaction with schools. Much of the richness of its programmes comes from the fact that
the schools are not just passive participants of that programme but also contribute to the content and structure and we
value that contribution very highly. It is in this context that British Council brings to you two new offers - British Council
School Ambassadors (BCSA) programme and Connecting Classrooms Online Community.
British Council School Ambassadors Programme
British Council has recently launched the British Council School Ambassadors (BCSA) programme in India and Sri Lanka.
The British Council School Ambassadors are members of the school education community who have been associated
with British Council School Programmes like UKIERI, GSP, Dreams and Teams etc. that aim to add an international
dimension to the school curriculum either through partnerships or through theme based virtual links.
Though the idea of enriching students’ classroom experiences through partnerships, links and other interactions is new to
many schools, there are now, an increasing number of schools in India who are very experienced in this sphere and are
champions in bringing the world into the classrooms. They have lead their students in exploring the world and are now
poised to take on new challenges. The British Council would like to join hands with these champions in helping other
schools who are eager to undertake similar journey. The BCSA programme will also give British Council the opportunity to
strengthen its association with teachers who are leaders in giving their students holistic education.
Connecting Classrooms Online Community
British Council is developing the Connecting Classrooms Online Community for India and Sri Lanka (CCOC). CCOC is
where the school community in India and Sri Lanka will find a place to engage with like-minded professionals, discuss and
showcase ideas, share success stories and trouble shoot problems and even get students involved in interesting and
challenging competitions. CCOC is being designed to be a ’one stop shop’ for schools interested in exploring exciting
opportunities with the British Council .

2. Which schools can join the BCSA Programme?
• Schools that have worked on school links and partnerships and understand the ethos of mutuality and equitable
partnership for learning
• Schools that have been awarded the International School Award (ISA) or have participated in a grant funded
programme such as Dreams and Teams/ Global School Partnerships/ UK India Education Research Initiative or those
that have staff with excellent track record in leading and coordinating partnerships and collaborative projects
• Schools that recognize that BCSA programme is an opportunity to develop leadership skills and value their being part of
the British Council’s school community and identify with British Council’s goal of creating a harmonious world for their
students
• Schools that will enjoy sharing their experiences with others and will give other schools the opportunity to receive
personalised and friendly support. They must be willing to commit their staff for coaching and mentoring others and
working with the school community beyond their own institution, either online or through face to face interaction.
What do the BCSA have to do?
• Identify new schools in their area or sphere of influence with an interest in participating in BC school programmes.
• Arrange to brief the schools online/ over phone/ through face to face interaction for participation in CCOC activities,
eventually helping them to work towards the International School Award.
• If needed, the BCSA may request the help of the BC Project Manager in his / her region, who could assign schools to
be mentored to a BCSA.
• BCSAs are friends of the British Council. BCSA is a volunteer programme hence there will be no fee will be paid to the
schools or individual ambassadors. However, if a BCSA needs to travel to nearby place for a briefing or there is a cost
incurred in running a workshop for 10 or more schools, British Council will cover the cost if agreed prior to the activity.
Rewards and Recognition
• Connecting Classrooms Online Community: All schools registered and mentored by the BCSA will be monitored. A
tracking mechanism will allow the British Council to see whether these schools are active and whether they have
contributed to template projects, group discussions or participated in competitions online.
• British Council will identify a star BCSA on a quarterly basis and give away a surprise gift!
• Every BCSA who completes the task of registering a minimum of 6 schools and guiding them to complete a few set
tasks will be given a certificate. One of the success measures will be that at least fifty percent of the schools mentored
by the BCSA apply for ISA 2011-12.
• The top performing BCSAs stand a chance to win a place in the UK ISA Assessment panel or be selected for the BCSA
exchange programme with other regions of the British Council.