Suzhou Teacher Development Centre in China’s Jiangsu province is looking for a UK provider to lead an interactive 5-day professional training course for local art and design teachers in Suzhou.

Chinese partner:
Suzhou Teacher Development Centre (STDC) was founded in 2012 and is affiliated with Suzhou Education Bureau. It is the first centre in Jiangsu province set up specifically to advance the professional development of teachers. It provides various in-service training programmes for teachers and head teachers at both local and provincial level, and enhances cooperation and exchange with overseas educational institutions to improve teaching in Jiangsu’s schools. Each year it delivers professional training in at least five subjects for 1,000 teachers at provincial level and 2,000 teachers at city level in Suzhou.

Suzhou:
Suzhou is a major city in the southeast of Jiangsu province, 85km west of Shanghai. It is one of China’s top tourist attractions. Suzhou is home to 1,150 schools, with a faculty of 8,000 teachers and 1.3 million students.

Expectations:
The Chinese art and design teachers should acquire an understanding of the course structure and delivery of art and design lessons in UK schools. They should be able to adapt the UK’s teaching philosophy and pedagogy to their own class needs with the aim of maximising student engagement, raising student attainment, and helping students discover the joy of art and design, leading to further study.

Training details:
Length: 5 days (during the week of January 25-29, 2016)
Number of trainers: 1 trainer from the UK
Number of trainees: 30 teachers from primary and secondary schools
Location: STDC campus in Suzhou
Format: face-to-face lecture-based training with practice sessions

Requests from Chinese partner:
• introduction of the UK’s art and design teaching pedagogy
• teaching programme for different age groups - students aged 6-11, 12-15 and 16-18
• coverage of specific subjects and courses in art and design, such as painting, photography, handcraft and fashion
• outline of art and design course structures in UK schools
• suggestions for facilities and resources for art and design lessons on- and off-campus
• advice on creating an inspiring environment for pupils to enjoy art and design and explore their creativity
• video of art and design lessons in UK schools.

UK Provider:
The UK provider must be a qualified art and design teacher with at least five years of relevant professional experience. A rich art and design background is desirable.

UK providers who meet these requirements and are interested in this opportunity should submit a training proposal and a quotation outlining all the costs related to the project, including any expected expenses for the trainer. Please note the British Council will charge 20 per cent of the final programme price as management fee. Management fee includes liaison between UK trainer and Chinese partner, pre training set up, post training follow up and on-site visits.

Training is to be delivered in English. The British Council will arrange for an interpreter to assist during the teaching. Costs for interpretation services will be added to the programme price.

Proposals should be submitted by 25 December 2015.