The final Reciprocal Visit grants round has now closed. DFID’s current phase of funding for the Global School Partnerships (GSP) programme is due to end this year (31 March 2012), however schools who have been awarded the Reciprocal Visit grant will continue to receive ongoing support throughout the agreed funding period. Schools are advised to refer to British Council Schools Online (previously Global Gateway) in order to get up to date information about new sources of funding. For further information about Global School Partnerships, workshops and grants email: globalschools@britishcouncil.org or call 0161 957 7755.
1. We’ve just been awarded a reciprocal visit grant, what happens next?
Your approval letter will be sent to the UK co-ordinating school. Please read this carefully make sure that all schools in the partnership have opportunity to discuss the comments and advice given.
With the letter we will send you a basic information sheet for every school in the cluster. This contains useful information about the grant, so please make sure that every school gets a copy.
It's a good idea to give all partner schools a copy of the contract, once you've received the signed copy from us as this is often needed to support visa applications.
2. How is the reciprocal visit grant paid to us?
Once all UK schools have completed the online survey and the contract has been signed, we will arrange for a BACS payment to be made into the bank account of the UK co-ordinating school. This can take some time, and we will write to you once the payment has been made.
You will need to download and follow the instructions on the bank details form in 'related documents'.
If the UK school uses a Local Authority's bank account, we will still make the payment in the same way. When we write to you to let you know that the payment has been made, please contact the Local Authority and let them know how much has been paid.
The initial payment is 80% of the total amount awarded. The final 20% will be paid when the final report and financial reconciliation has been completed.
3. What can we buy with the reciproval visit grant money?
Eligible expenditure for your grant includes:
- International travel - Internal travel in both countries directly related to the school visits - Accommodation (there is a limit per person per day for up to 14 days) - Visa costs - Travel insurance - Subsistence (there is a limit per person per day for up to 14 days)
Please see the relevant guidance notes from the year you were awarded a grant for further details.
Some costs are not eligible for funding, including:
- Travel related to sightseeing - Gifts - Supply cover - Camera film and film development costs - Curriculum resources.
The UK school is responsible for ensuring that the grant is allocated to every school in the partnership and that it is spent on eligible items.
4. How do we transfer money to our partner school?
Different partnerships come to different solutions, depending on local conditions and what is convenient. Speak with teachers at your partner school about what is most appropriate. It may be convenient to buy travel tickets in the UK for the visit to the UK, but this may add to your costs.
When planning your visits, please remember to allow plenty of time to apply for passports, visas and to visit your doctor.
5. How and when do we complete the reciprocal visit final report?
The reciprocal visit final report must be completed by all partner schools. This can take some time and it is a good idea to start working on the final report during the second visit so that all schools can contribute fully.
Partnerships that submitted successful applications for the 1st June 2011 deadline must report by 1st July 2012 and those that were successful in the most recent rolling deadline (1st November to 9th January) must submit their final report by 1st December 2012.
6. How do we get a copy of the reciprocal visit final report?
Download the RV grant report form and guidance notes here
7. What records do we need to keep?
It is the UK co-ordinating school's responsibility to maintain and submit financial records.
All schools in the partnership are responsible for sending receipts and financial records to the UK co-ordinating school.
As part of your final report you need to complete a statement of expenditure. It is easier to fill this in if you keep accurate financial records throughout the year.
It is also good practice within a partnership if you establish systems for transferring money and of keeping track of any payments or transfers. If a new teacher became involved in the partnership, would they be able to see what money had been spent on what?
Please follow the instructions on your reciprocal visit final report form carefully and ensure that all necessary receipts are submitted with your statement of expenditure.
8. What support can we get for our partnership?
A wealth of resources are available to you and your partner school during the funding period. Please keep visiting our website to keep up to date with activities in your area.
We will email our Ezine to every school in the partnership that we have an email address for. If you haven't received your copy please let us know.
Please remember to let us know if you change your email address so that we can keep you up to date with partnership news.
