With Universities & Research Centres
The BetàniaPatmos Foundation has maintained many links with various universities for many years (Ramon Llull University, University of Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, University of Vic, Pompeu Fabra University and Autonomous University of Barcelona, amongst others) and various teacher training schools and research centres. These institutional relationships are focused on three areas: interchange of practicums, advice and collaboration in research projects.
As far as practicums or student-teacher work placement schemes are concerned, the school has signed three agreements of collaboration with universities and is a well-known centre where future teachers can gain essential practical experience.
Moreover, this activity has a bidirectional aspect because although the school provides future teachers with the opportunity to gain experience, they also help the centre with their critical and up to date points of view. On the other hand, these undergraduates could one day form part of our teaching staff if their internship is of a high standard.
When it comes to professional advice, the school looks for renowned authorities in their fields whenever it is faced with important decisions. These specialists can advise us when strategic decisions have to be taken, as is the case of the treatment of disorders such as dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Finally, collaboration in research projects should be mentioned. Universities themselves or other centres frequently come to an agreement with us so that the school can be used as scenarios for research and analysis. This has been the case, for example, of Helena Roquet's thesis, A Study of the Acquisition of English as a Foreign Language: Integrating Content and Language in Mainstream Education in Barcelona, presented to the Pompeu Fabra University, where all the field work centred on the process of introducing the EICLE in BetàniaPatmos.
Above and beyond the collaboration with universities, there are now many important projects of collaboration underway such as the Breathe project with Environmental Epidemiology Research Centre (CREAL) or the TAS project on the acquisition of good eating habits and physical activity in collaboration with the Alícia-Món Sant Benet Foundation. In both projects the participation of the pupils themselves is a key aspect and absolutely essential.