In 1953, when a European Union was not even dreamed of, a number of parents set themselves up to create educational establishments where children of different European backgrounds could be taught side by side in their respective mother tongues, learning from each other while broadening their horizons. This experiment was subsequently taken up by the European Commission and its institutions. There are now several schools across Europe based on this concept. Uniquely, European Schools offer a European Baccalaureate giving right of access to all higher education institutions across the European Union.
Our strategic outlook
Background
One of our initial objective was to support the establishment of schools in England and Wales offering multilingual European education. similar in concept to current fully accredited European Schools. Right now, there is only one school of this kind in England, in Culham (Oxfordshire) and its future has been in question for some time. ETEE was instrumental in setting up meetings with all stakeholders and in drafting the initial development plan. This led to the inception of a new charitable company, called CLASS headed by one of our Patrons, Lord Jay of Ewelme. This new charitable trust (independent from ETEE) is now seeking to create a "European Languages and Science Academy" which we hope will retain at least some of the key aspects that have made the current school so successful and desirable. We shall continue to monitor progress and will do our utmost to ensure that the original objectives are met.
Our triennial plan 2010-13
Establish a collaborative model with other Trusts
Organise a series of subject related conferences. The first of which to be on "The Language of History".
Continue to represent to government and other agencies the priorities of European education
Publish and disseminate good practices.
The Objects of the ETEE
Excerpt from the Trust's Deeds of Incorporation:
“The objects of the Trust are to advance education for the public benefit in multilingual education a) by supporting the establishment and development of schools and curricular programmes in England that will advance such education; b) by advancing the education of persons working in schools or any other institutions or services, or working otherwise in the field of education, to advance multilingual education; c) by promoting good practice in the training and education of teachers for multilingual education; d) by disseminating information and recommendations on good practice in the above field."
