The International School Award is a special recognition given to schools that work hard to bring a global dimension into their classrooms. It is overseen by The British Council. It celebrates schools that help students learn about different countries, cultures, and global issues. By taking part in fun and educational projects with schools around the world, students can gain a better understanding of the wider world and become more open-minded and respectful of others. Winning the award shows that a school is helping its students become global citizens who care about the world around them.

The award has different levels, and our school first achieved the full International School Award in 2013. Since then, we have successfully applied for reaccreditation every three years, with our most recent full reaccreditation awarded in 2022. We are now preparing our next application, which will be submitted in July 2025.

To gain reaccreditation, schools must complete seven activities, and at least three of these must be collaborative projects with schools in other countries. Each activity must be carefully planned, carried out, and fully documented. We are required to provide evidence, describe each activity in detail, and evaluate its impact on pupils, staff, parents, and the wider school community.

Our International Co-ordinator leads the award process, supported by other members of staff. The International Co-ordinator is also responsible for writing an International Policy for the school and sharing it with the Governing Body. For our most recent reaccreditation, we partnered with a school in West Bengal, India, and worked together on projects around the theme of ‘Food’. These collaborations provide rich learning experiences and help our students become more aware of the wider world.