As part of Maria Regina Secondary School’s Development Plan 2025–2027, which prioritises Critical Media Literacy, three members of staff, two teachers and a Deputy Head embarked on an inspiring Erasmus+ journey to Seville in March 2026 to attend the course “Global Education and Critical Media Literacy: Essential Elements in Contemporary Teaching”. This enriching experience was designed to empower educators with the tools to help students confidently navigate today’s complex digital world and to question what they see online, recognising misinformation, and becoming responsible, informed digital citizens.
From the very first day, participants were immersed in a vibrant international learning community, working closely with educators from Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Netherlands and Italy. The course was dynamic, hands-on and full of energy, with each day bringing new opportunities for collaboration, creativity and real-world problem solving. One of the most memorable highlights was stepping beyond the classroom to critically analyse powerful artworks in a local museum, using art as a gateway to deeper thinking, discussion, and interpretation.
The experience was packed with engaging strategies that can be directly applied in the classroom. Participants explored the power of effective communication through active listening, meaningful feedback and learner acknowledgement. Participants even explored how students think and learn, including fascinating insights into concepts such as mirror neurons. Creative approaches like Six Thinking Hats brought critical thinking to life, encouraging structured, reflective and collaborative exploration of ideas. Every activity reinforced the importance of guiding students to ask better questions, think more deeply and engage more thoughtfully with the world around them.
This unforgettable experience has ignited fresh enthusiasm and motivation, reinforcing the school’s commitment to innovative, forward-thinking education. The ideas, strategies and inspiration gained in Seville will now ripple across the school, supporting a whole-school approach to developing confident, critical and responsible learners who are ready to thrive in an increasingly complex digital age.
