A Richmond School teacher has been selected as the UK’s leader on an international project involving five countries looking at the benefits and dangers of social media.
English teacher Philippa Lark has joined the project, which has been awarded funding from ERASMUS, the European programme for education, for a two-year social media education project.
The Areté Learning Trust, which runs Richmond School and Sixth Form College, has been selected as the UK representative for the project which will offer students across Northallerton, Richmond and Stokesley schools and sixth form colleges the opportunity to collaborate with education professionals and students from Greece, Lithuania, Italy and Spain.
Catherine Brooker, CEO of the Areté Learning Trust, said: “The trust was invited to apply as the UK’s member of this international group and was successful in acquiring funding for this very important and prestigious project.
“Philippa has exceptional credentials and will, I’m sure, contribute an enormous amount as the project leader.
“She will work closely with staff across our three schools, as this is very much a team effort and everyone involved will have a part to play and be instrumental in the success of the project.
“I have no doubt that this experience will be of immense value to our students and staff.”
Students will be involved in the research element of the project, to ascertain their use, attitude and understanding of social media as well as the curriculum design so their views and perspective will be key to the results and outcomes of the initiative.
Philippa said: “I am very excited about this fascinating project.
“My background is in educational research, previously running several large research projects during my time in West Yorkshire schools.
“Additionally, I worked in marketing for a decade, before becoming a teacher, so I have always been interested in communication and particularly about the effect of social media.
“I think it is something of vital importance for students to understand how it works and how to use it beneficially. Alongside the research element the project involves designing a social media curriculum to educate students of the benefits and dangers.”
The finished curriculum and associated training resources will be available for all schools across Europe to access so the work will be of great benefit and support hundreds of thousands of students and staff.
