International work wins school award

A Spalding special school has won an award recognising its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The Priory School’s international work includes collecting items and fund-raising for Mary’s Meals, ensuring internationalism is part of the whole curriculum, sampling food from other countries at celebration times – including Burns’ Night and Chinese New Year, delivering a modern foreign language, experience visits abroad and connecting with a school from abroad.

This year the school has celebrated 20 years of links with a school near Le Mans, in France.

The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as through links with partner schools overseas.

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 to live and work as global citizens.

Kate Isaacs, International and Modern Foreign Language co-ordinator at The Priory School, said: “It’s wonderful to receive, yet again, a well-established award that recognises all the hard work that goes in to maintaining the international dimension in our school.

“We have received excellent comments from the British Council about the stimulating, global themes, our international and community links and cross-curricular work that has gone on during the last year – and goes on every year!”

John Rolfe, from 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.

“Adding an international dimension to children’s education ensures they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful future careers in an increasingly global economy.”