Callan Schools Accreditation Scheme

Important changes will be happening at Callan in the coming weeks and months. We've been listening to all the comments coming from the wider Callan family, and have come up with a fresh new strategy to address them. We are now actively seeking to improve communication on all fronts, add to what we already offer, and to develop a stronger Callan identity throughout the world. A new product offering has been created to strengthen and build on our reputation, with more to come:

• Callan Schools Accreditation Scheme
• Introduction of a new edition of the books
• Updated Teacher Training Scheme
• Interactive student services
• Schools support website

As part of this, we are pleased to announce the new Callan Schools Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme, planned for introduction in April 2012, has been conceived to create a more cohesive, up-to-date offering for schools using the Callan Method. Providing a much-needed platform to support our Callan family, the scheme will also highlight those schools approved by Callan Organisation.

What's on offer…

Accreditation will offer a number of significant benefits to schools. These will include:

• Students enrolled at accredited schools will be able to access our newly developed study website, with interactive practice materials including dictations, Q&A and vocabulary challenges
• Access to a special Callan Schools area on our website, with a range of school support services, discussion forums and personalised advice
• Accredited schools will be permitted to use the Callan logo in prescribed ways, e.g. on their website, in marketing materials
• Access to Callan designed and approved text and artwork for use as marketing materials (brochures, flyers, posters etc.)
• Discounts on teacher training courses
• An automatic listing on the ‘Locate a School’ section of the Callan website

Want to join in?

We'd love to know if you'd like to join the Accreditation Scheme so we can begin to get everything organised for you. Please declare your interest by emailing accreditation@callan.co.uk, stating your name, school name and postal address, plus how many students attended your school last year, and we'll begin the process for you. The scheme isn't mandatory; however, only those schools that join will be able to access the benefits.

We think this scheme is fantastic, and has a lot to offer. However, we understand that, before you commit, you'll want to see what we're giving you. That's why the first three months are free, and you don't have to sign up fully until the trial period ends.

In order that schools can trial the new scheme before they decide to sign up, we are giving the first three months (from the launch date) free.

• Accreditation will last for one year
• Accreditation fees will be banded according to numbers of students likely to register at your school this year
• The fee ranges will be between 50p and £1 per student per year

What’s involved…

There are a few things schools must consider when signing up to the Accreditation Scheme.

Accredited schools must:

• uphold the Callan brand and reputation
• ensure that all students in your school purchase a book or eBook, and prohibit the use of photocopied or borrowed books
• permit periodic visits by us – allowing your school to take advantage of our extensive experience throughout the Callan world, with the exchange of information and best practices. Ideally we'll visit you in person; however, if this isn't practical, Skype (or similar) may be used.

As has always been the case, and in accordance with copyright law, no school, Accredited or otherwise, will be able to use “Callan” in the name of their school. This is stated on page 25 of the Director's Handbook, and it also applies to domain names.

Dates to remember…

In mid-March, a sample pack of what schools will receive as part of their Accreditation will be sent out, with the Accreditation Agreement and the terms and conditions attached.

• Free access to the Accreditation services will be provided to everyone until 30th June
• Schools wishing to become accredited must have applied for and paid by 30th June
• As of 1st July, access to the Accreditation benefits will be restricted to accredited schools only

So what happens now?

Very shortly, schools will receive an email inviting them to become a Callan Accredited School. Attached will be all the information needed, plus some forms to fill in and send back to Callan to start the ball rolling.

In the meantime, and as mentioned before, if you think you may wish to become an accredited school, we would be grateful if you could email us on accreditation@callan.co.uk, with your school details, confirming approximately how many students attended your school in 2011. This will give us an indication of how much traffic we can expect for our interactive platform. Details of the interactive site and what it looks like will follow on the website soon.

Look out for our next updates, linked from our homepage, which will include exciting news of the revised edition of the books and an updated Teacher Training Scheme!