Erasmus+ is finally killed off in the UK
After the UK under the premiership of Boris Johnson decided to opt out of the Erasmus study scheme with the new deal they eventually forged with the EU and also, despite the European attempts to keep the UK and their institutions in their scheme, the current Erasmus+ projects in UK Education are gradually coming to an end.
Mr Enrique Ruiz Cano was chosen as an Erasmus+ ambassador in late 2021 after his extremely professional commitment to this EU initiative over the last decade, especially in the UK and Spain. He led a network of Primary schools in south Devon including Exeter which were very successful when it came to gaining EU funding for both staff and pupil physical exchanges. Large numbers of children and staff had the opportunity to learn abroad throughout Europe mainly subsidised by the Erasmus+ study scheme from the European Union (EU).
One of the last projects Mr Ruiz Cano has got off the ground together with the other co-leader of the project, Mrs Yvonne Scherphof from the Netherlands, is entitled “Top Secret”. Itinvolves 5 schools: Asgard skole from Koge, Denmark, Ecole Publique Pierre Vincent from Alissas, France, CEIP Nuestra Senora de la Fuensanta from Beniajan, Murcia, Spain, Basisschool Noorderlicht from Den Bosch, the Netherlands and Ystrad Mynach Primary school from Wales, the UK.
This particular Erasmus+ initiative is one of the last successful projects within this European study scheme involving the UK. The initiative stands as a benchmark for the School Communities involved, as well as an inspiration for other schools in their countries and throughout the EU. This project has covered the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and learners have played the role of “Secret Agents” to make Europe and the world a better place to live in. Therefore, “Green skills” have been a significant part of the project together with “CLIL” (“Content Language Integrated Learning”) which many schools in Europe use to teach content from different curricula areas through an additional language, more often than not, that language is English.
There is a new study scheme, the “Turing Scheme”, which aims to take over from Erasmus+. At this moment in time, according to Mr Ruiz-Cano, “there is a tremendous lack of information left right and centre and only 15% of the schools are benefiting from this UK initiative in comparison to the EU Erasmus+ scheme. Wales for instance has designed another scheme only for their nation, called ‘Taith‘, following Westminster’s decision to withdraw from Erasmus+. This programme will not theoretically only cover the EU but will go further afield”. Mr Ruiz Cano is considerably concerned about what will happen with England for instance, and appeals “it remains to be seen what will come about with all the UK schools in Devon I helped to get EU Erasmus+ funding”.
