Forest & Sandridge CE Primary School has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.
The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life work in today’s world.
Forest & Sandridge’s international work includes a long-established partnership with a school in France and a new link with a school in Italy, which provide rich learning experiences for pupils, increasing their awareness of the wider world and their place within it.
On hearing the news that Forest & Sandridge had received the award, Mariana Lewis the languages subject leader and lead on the International Schools Award said, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which recognises and celebrates our school’s commitment to global citizenship, providing opportunities for our pupils to show empathy, tolerance and appreciation of other cultures, as well as a curiosity about other faiths, languages and countries around the world.”
Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of the British Council said, “The school’s fantastic international work has rightfully earned it this prestigious award. The International School Award is a great chance for schools to demonstrate the important work they’re doing to bring the world into their classrooms. Embedding an international dimension in children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful lives and careers in an increasingly global economy.”
The award is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Pakistan. Around 5,500 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.
The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop; an international ethos embedded throughout the school; a whole school approach to international work; collaborative curriculum-based work with a number of partner school; year-round international activity and involvement of the wider community.
