On 5th April 2011 Knox Academy in Haddington and the award winning 5 star visitor attraction Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick are linking up with Gymnazium Karvina, Moravia Silesia, Czech Republic as part of an EU scheme to create partnerships across Europe and improve education standards.

A delegation of six representatives from the Moravian Silesian unitary authority will be visiting East Lothian from 3rd to 7th April. During their stay they will experience aspects of the Scottish education system at Knox Academy and visit local attractions, such as the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Teachers from Knox Academy will visit their partners and work on joint projects over the next two years through the Comenius programme, which is funded by the European Commission and managed in the UK by the British Council. The programme provides funding and professional development to enable students and teachers across Europe to work together and learn about each other’s culture and education methods.

Knox Academy will be working with Gymnazium Karvina in the city of Karvina, Czech Republic. They will be working together on projects promoting sustainability in the daily lives of pupils and staff.

The programme aims to develop knowledge and understanding of different European cultures and languages, and help young people gain skills for their future lives and careers. As well as learning about their partners’ society, the programme also helps young people learn more about their own culture and build links within their local community.

Head of EU Programmes at the British Council Simon Williams said: “We have a responsibility to prepare young people for life and work in our global society.

“Partnerships like this one not only help to build trust and understanding between people of different cultures, but also broaden pupils’ horizons, bring languages and other subjects to life in the classroom, and equip young people with the skills and understanding they need to become global citizens.”