QCA's curriculum adviser for the global dimension, David Gardner, visits Indonesia with UK teachers and finds inspiration on the country's flag.  

"Lots of schools use their international partnerships to support their plans for community cohesion, or sustainable schools - and they'll tell us about their plans for enrichment days - which are great - but it's not enough," says David Gardner, curriculum adviser responsible for the global dimension at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.  "Enrichment is an add on. We want schools to take the international dimension and integrate it.  Embed it.  It's not an extra.  It's at the heart."
 
Gardner isn't the first person to search for the key to embedding the global dimension - but he is well placed to encourage and support many teachers to make it work.   That is why he accompanied a group of schools from Cornwall, Northamptonshire and Portsmouth on a trip to South Asia as they start up partnerships with schools from Vietnam and Indonesia. 

"I want to capture this as a compelling learning experience," he explains, "I'll follow these schools from the start.  I'll chart their progress.  What are the difference stages?  What are the obstacles and cul de sacs?  What makes their partnerships blossom and grow?"

The authentic quality of learning through a relationship with another school brings the curriculum to life, and challenges stereotypes.  In short, it embodies the type of learning the QCA want to encourage.

"We are all about developing successful learners, confident individuals, and responsible citizens," says Gardner. "We want our young people to understand a wider context for learning and life, and to see how they fit into a wider world."
 
Neither Indonesia nor Vietnam are the most obvious choices for UK school links - but for Gardner that's no problem.  He sees school links as an opportunity for discovery. 

Gardner admits, he didn't know much of Indonesian culture prior to the visit.  "I was fascinated by a country made up of three thousand islands," he explains, "so I don't suppose its any surprise the national motto about working together. 'Unity in Diversity' - it sums up the strengths of school partnerships." 

How did they do that? 

Find out more about the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and download the QCA's Global Dimension In Action from their website where new resources will also be made available.

David Gardner attended one of the British Council's  Connecting Classrooms contact seminars which was taking place between schools in the UK, Indonesia and Vietnam.  On returning home, each school will recruit a cluster of schools in its area to develop their partnerships with Indonesia and Bali.  

Join BBC World Class and our partners will help you twin.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.