FOLIGNO is an ancient town in the province of Perugia –Umbria, the Italian region in the centre of Italy known as “The green hearth of Italy”. This region has got a particular vocation for tourism and in the last few years it has become an important branch of economy. Foligno is an ideal place to move around and reach nice and historical places such as Assisi (20 Km ), Perugia (35 Km), Spoleto (18 Km) and visit the main towns and sights in the "Beautiful Italy" (Florence 160 km, Rome 150 Km...).
Our school, Instituto di Istruzione Superiore E. Orfini, is a Vocational Secondary School and it is located in Foligno. It has been active for over 50 years in promoting a high standard of professional and personal development of the students attending it.
The educational supply of Orfini Institute aims to prepare skilled staff for the job market, but it is also directed to the human, moral and social growth of young people, enhancing their personal inclinations and skills by ensuring an adequate training for their needs and for the changing job market.
After the third year students obtain the Professional Qualification so they can enter the world of work or they can continue studying and obtain the Vocational Secondary School Diploma, which gives access to University. The following courses are currently available: Graphic Designer, Social Services, Mechanics, Electricity and Electronics, Biology and Chemistry, Fashion and Clothing.
The school has 30 classes and nearly 600 students, between 14 and 19 years old, mainly boys. There are 88 teachers.
In the last few years the percentage of foreign students coming from non EU countries has increased (nearly the 24 %); the school also tries to give an answer to the thirty-three students in special needs respecting and valorizing their uniqueness.
As our society is evolving ever more quickly in the economic, cultural and social fields, the challenge we face is to work towards a successful introduction of our pupils into working life. In this framework we insert our participation in this Comenius Project: we aim at enhancing the quality of teaching strengthening the European dimension and also emphasizing certain important issues, such as learning in a multi-cultural framework, which is the cornerstone of European citizenship.
