Erasmus
Erasmus+ Projects
Erasmus+ at Midleton College
Midleton College is a proud participant in Erasmus+, a European Union initiative that aims to enhance the quality and reinforce the European dimension of education by encouraging transnational cooperation between schools, higher education institutions, and other educational organisations. The Erasmus+ programme at Midleton College is coordinated by Ms Melanie Henry, who works closely with a growing number of teachers actively involved in various Erasmus+ projects.
The programme is strongly supported by students, staff and parents, reflecting the Mildeton College’s commitment to international collaboration and enriching educational experiences. Since joining Erasmus+ in the 2023/24 school year, we have been proud to establish meaningful partnerships with two European schools: Eichendorff Gymnasium Ettlingen in Germany (since 2024) and St. Mary’s School in Seville, Spain (since 2025). These partnerships provide valuable opportunities for cultural exchange, language development and collaborative learning.
Looking ahead, further collaborations with schools across Europe are envisaged as we continue to grow our international network. Our aim is to become an accredited Erasmus+ school and deepen our long-term engagement with this transformative programme.
Group mobility to Germany: Herblore across Borders
Group Mobility to Spain: Erasmus+ Soccer Sisters
Short-term Mobility for Individual students
Group Mobility to Germany: Herblore across Borders
Transition Year (TY) students in the Horticulture Module have the exciting opportunity to engage in a collaborative project named ‘Herblore across Borders’ with Eichendorff Gymnasium Ettlingen in Germany. This project aims to deepen the students’ understanding of horticulture by designing, creating and cultivating their respective school gardens. Through this cross-border exchange, the students share progress reports, best practices and findings, enriching their educational journey with international perspectives.
The highlight of this project are the reciprocal visits between the partner schools. In autumn, students and staff from Eichendorff Gymnasium will visit Midleton College, where they will engage in various gardening activities and immerse themselves in the rich Irish culture and landscape. In spring, Midleton College students will travel to Germany to continue the joint environmental work and explore the local culture through visits to nearby cities, e.g. Karlsruhe, Stuttgart or Heidelberg.
Group Mobility to Spain: Erasmus+ Soccer Sisters
In the 2024/25 school year, Midleton College established a new partnership with St. Mary’s School in Seville through the creation of the Erasmus+ Soccer Sisters project. Led by Ms. Rachel Doyle and Ms. Loraine Copithorne, this inspiring collaboration places a strong emphasis on both physical and mental wellbeing, with a particular focus on empowering young women in sport and encouraging sustained participation among girls.
In this project, students from both schools come together for joint training sessions and mixed matches in a variety of sports, fostering teamwork, mutual respect and cross-cultural friendships. The programme is enriched with workshops on resilience and student-led presentations celebrating influential Irish and Spanish sportswomen, offering powerful role models for the participants.
Afternoon school visits and cultural activities (e.g. a cultural bike-ride through the historical city of Seville or the visit of the Cobh Titanic Experience) further strengthen the bonds between the students, deepening their appreciation of each other’s heritage while nurturing a shared sense of European identity and values.
Short-term Mobility for Individual Students
In addition to group mobilities, senior cycle students of Midleton College studying German have the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in German school life, language and culture through a three-week individual exchange at Eichendorff Gymnasium Ettlingen. As part of this reciprocal exchange, each Midleton College student also hosts a German student for the same duration, fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections and lifelong friendships.
Looking ahead, we aim to extend this opportunity to students studying Spanish through a similar exchange with our partner school, St. Mary’s School in Seville. With the continued growth of the Erasmus+ programme and our pursuit of full Erasmus+ accreditation, we are hopeful that individual mobility opportunities will expand further – allowing students to experience school life in a variety of European countries and deepen their understanding of diverse cultures across the continent.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please get in touch with the Erasmus+ coordinator, Ms. Melanie Henry.
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is an EU programme that supports education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. It offers a unique opportunity for students, teachers, and institutions to gain new perspectives and bring an international dimension to education. The programme is dedicated to promoting mobility within Europe and beyond, fostering innovation, and contributing to a global community of knowledge and learning.
Our Commitment
At Midleton College are committed to providing our students with an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic learning environment. Participating in Erasmus+ allows us to extend the boundaries of our classroom to include various cultures, languages, and teaching methodologies. Through this programme, our students and staff engage in learning and sharing experiences with partners across Europe and beyond, which enriches our educational practices and personal development.
Benefits of Erasmus+
Cultural Exchange: Students and staff experience new cultures, languages, and teaching methods.
Academic Development: Access to varied educational resources, curricula, and expertise enhances the learning experience.
Personal Growth: Participants develop invaluable life skills such as adaptability, communication, and independence.
Networking: Building connections with individuals and institutions across Europe, creating opportunities for future collaboration.
Innovation in Education: Sharing best practices and new approaches to teaching and learning that can be integrated into our own educational system.
Visit this page for updates on our exciting Eramus+ projects.
National Award for Ms. Henry
We are very proud of our own Ms. Melanie Henry (German Teacher) who won the Teachers Perpetual Trophy, in Memory of Catriona Dowling. Ms Henry
Erasmus+ Soccer Sisters
Our final day of activities was a nice end to an enjoyable trip. We began the morning in St. Mary’s School where our students gave
Erasmus+: Herblore across borders
After a trip to Cobh to visit Spike Island and the Titanic Experience on Tuesday, the TY Horticulture students and their German friends from Eichendorff
TY Trip to Germany
Best wishes to the Transition Year Horticulture students who are part of the The Erasmus+ scheme. Erasmus+ is a European Union initiative that aims to