“Head to Europe” Blog and Podcast Link
The Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Initiative at IES Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza is based on a project titled “Head to Europe.” This project spans three consecutive years, during which the school has committed to implementing one or more specific subjects addressing European Union topics—such as values, history, institutional functioning, and cultural diversity, among others.
The Jean Monnet Initiative for schools runs for three consecutive years and requires a minimum of 40 hours of instruction per year. Our school comfortably exceeds this minimum; in addition to various related activities, we established a dedicated European Union elective subject for 4th-year ESO students, featuring two hours of instruction per week.
The €30,000 grant received to achieve the initiative’s objectives is being used to develop the subject’s curriculum in multiple languages and organize visits to European Parliament sites in Spain, Brussels, and Strasbourg. Funds also support activities that promote European values within the school—such as “May 9th Celebrations,” talks, and training sessions—as well as the creation of a permanent “Infopoint” and the enhancement of activities linked to the school’s participation in the European Parliament Ambassador School program.
The Jean Monnet Initiative aims to:
- Equip teachers to convey facts and knowledge about the European Union to students using engaging methods.
- Improve learning outcomes regarding EU-related matters.
- Strengthen foundational knowledge about the EU.
- Spark interest in the European Union, lay the groundwork for increased student participation in the democratic process, and better prepare students to become active citizens.
