In order to ensure high-quality delivery of face-to-face training courses for school leaders and teachers, an international training of trainers took place at the end of June in Palermo (Italy), hosted by CESIE, for trainers from each partner country. 

The training focused on the course for school leaders and teachers. Training workshops allowed trainers to familiarise themselves with the course design and materials using interactive, participatory methods, and plan for any tailoring of courses in order that they are contextualised successful.

The first day of the training started with some Icebreakers, then participants discussed foundations and values of their work (to listen, accept, contribute), and participated in an activity aimed at creating and identifying learning communities. 

Afterwards, participants discussed topics such as: Learning Conversations (Learning Outcomes, Communities of Practice); Integration versus Inclusion and Belonging; Inclusive School Ethics; leadership and innovation.

The second day of the training was dedicated to ‘Inclusion in Action’. The participants had a chance to visit centres of inspirational practice: an elementary school, a vocational school and the Centre for Creative Development Danilo Dolci in Palermo, and shared inspiring practices.

Other subjects covered on that day: Wellbeing and Creating Mental Wealth in Schools (Toxic Teaching and Negativity – isolation, no risk taking; failure or signs of mental wealth in schools for children and staff).

The training ended with the planning of future in person training courses that they will deliver in Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland and the UK: lots of questions, country specific contexts, different local needs, different approaches to inclusive education but one definition of inclusion as a starting point.

During the 3-day training, participants got to know each other thanks to the activities and interactive games and to share inclusive practices in schools.