What is Cambridge Primary Global Perspectives?
Cambridge Primary Global Perspectives allows learners aged 5 to 11 to develop and embed the skills of analysis, collaboration, communication, evaluation, reflection and research from the beginning of their formal education. Research shows that the earlier learners start to develop and practise these transferable skills, the greater the impact on their learning. These skills will support them in their studies in primary and prepare them for Cambridge Lower Secondary and beyond.
The focus is on developing skills. As context, you can choose topics and related issues that are interesting and relevant for your learners, for example, issues related to sustainability. Learners explore different perspectives, which helps them to develop a global outlook. Learners start to express their own opinions and develop an understanding that there is always more than one point of view.
Cambridge Global Perspectives is part of the Primary programme and is available for all registered Cambridge schools to teach. There are 10 subjects in the Primary programme and Global Perspectives strengthens the links across all subjects.
At the end of Cambridge Primary Global Perspectives your learners can demonstrate their skills through Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Global Perspectives. Learners work together on a Team Project in which teams identify a local issue and work together to improve, change or resolve it. The Team Project is written in English and provides an opportunity for learners to practise writing in English without the pressure of a formal, timed, assessment of their English skills. Completing the Team Project helps prepare learners for later stages as it is similar to one of the components of Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level Global Perspectives.
Why should my school consider offering Global Perspectives?
Cambridge Global Perspectives takes an interdisciplinary, cross-curricular approach to developing the skills needed for success in education and work.
Schools need to make sure that their learners are ready for their next stage of learning or work. Both skill development and subject knowledge are essential to support learner progression.
By studying global issues, learners explore different, and often opposing, perspectives to develop their critical thinking, research and communication skills. They practise researching arguments before analysing, evaluating and communicating their findings. These skills are highly valued in education and work.
When Cambridge schools deliver the programme they report that:
- Learners become motivated to take control of their learning.
- Learners are excited by the global issues and topics which they can relate to.
- Teachers saw evidence that learners were able to carry over their skill development to subject lessons such as mathematics, sciences and languages.
What is unique about the programme?
Other national and international awarding bodies offer programmes that cover skill development. These are different to Cambridge Global Perspectives which:
- offers greater flexibility - Cambridge Global Perspectives can be offered at any stage and in many ways
- explicitly develops the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, communication and collaboration rather than content knowledge
- examines current issues using three distinct perspectives (personal, local and global) and supports learners in analysing, evaluating and reflecting on opposing views
- provides coherence at every stage of the Cambridge Pathway
- introduces appropriate externally moderated assessment, which is a Team Project at the end of primary level.
How can I explain the benefits of the programme to my school leadership team or executive board?
You could start by talking about independent research which says that the earlier learners start to develop and practise their skills the greater the impact on their learning. Making Cambridge Global Perspectives available to younger learners allows them to develop and embed cross curricular skills at an earlier age, supporting them in their current studies, and as they progress to Cambridge Lower Secondary and beyond.
Cambridge Global Perspectives is just one part of the Cambridge Primary programme. These programmes offer both skill development and academic rigour. We have produced lots of materials to support conversations about the programme, from videos to testimonials and much more.
How can I talk to parents about the programme?
Parents are enthusiastic about the idea of their children developing their transferable skills. They like that the programme supports the next stage of study, and they appreciate that good universities favour the development of these skills.
Parents have told us that they see a difference in their children when they come home from Cambridge Global Perspectives classes. They describe how they ask more - and better – questions and are more engaged with current global issues and local and international news.
It’s a good idea to tap into this enthusiasm and interest. Show parents examples of how the skills can be applied in other contexts such as in different subject areas. You can also show them practical applications that they can relate to e.g. improving research skills, presentation skills, group work and negotiation skills and so on.
How much does the it cost?
Cambridge Global Perspectives is available to registered Cambridge schools as part of our core offering at Cambridge Primary. There is no additional charge for the Global Perspectives.
As with the other subjects, entries for Checkpoint are charged for. Cambridge Global Perspectives Checkpoint is different from the other Cambridge Primary subjects (it is a Team Project rather than a written examination). This is to allow learners to demonstrate their skill development.
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