What the Experts say..........................

Expert 1---------

The project has significant relevance because it aims to improve the attainment of pupils with low basic skills as well as having an impact on early school leaving. The proposed intention to focus on the use of ICT, language learning, intercultural learning and teacher professional development is also compatible with the Erasmus+ programme. The needs of the target groups are well understood as the schools have agreed to target students with low interest and attainment in Maths.

The project aims to exploit the potential of working in a transnational manner by developing intercultural awareness, reflecting on alternative pedagogy and utilising identified strengths.

All phases of the project have been addressed in detail and there is a clear timetable of activities for the duration of the project.

The project plans to build an effective communication process through a detailed agreement which will be monitored by coordinators.  The eTwinning platform will be used extensively along with a various other electronic formats.

The monitoring arrangements have been considered in detail and will include base-line data for measuring progress. There is a good balance of qualitative and quantitative measures proposed as evaluation data.

There is an intention to ensure the views of all stakeholders are incorporated into project analysis with clear evidence of expected impact for students, teachers and institutions. Leadership teams and governors in all schools will receive regular progress reports about project development.

The project is likely to have a substantial impact on participants and their organisations and there is an expectation that the curricular and pedagogical changes made will endure after the project ends. It is also anticipated that the infrastructure created during the project will promote the longer term sustainability of the partnership.

Dissemination arrangements are detailed and well considered for the institutions and wider communities.

Expert 2---------

This is a well written, detailed and interesting project application, addressing key areas of underattainment and school drop out. It also covers, to a lesser extent, ICT, entrepreneurship and some language. There is a focus on teachers learning and the use of maths across the curriculum to support all learning. A particular strength is that the project is based on a sound identification of need and uses current research to support the work.

The application provides a detailed description of the way in which the project will be implemented. Activities are relevant and well thought out. There has been good preparation of the project, including the use of etwinning, and a range of participants including students has been involved in its design. Collaborative learning activities are relevant and motivating.

There is a clear plan for project management and some allocation of specific roles. Communication has been well thought out and planned. The evaluation strategy involving is excellent. Impact on a range of key players including teachers and the wider community is very well defined. Impact on students includes measures of the impact on attainment. There is a good dissemination strategy covering a wide range of audiences.