International School Award

Posted at 12:50 pm on 26th September, 2019

British Council Award for Wellacre

Wellacre Academy in Flixton has been re-accredited with 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 and work in today’s world.

Wellacre’s international work embeds an international dimension to the curriculum and whole-school ethos, promoting citizenship, foreign language and an appreciation of cultural diversity across the school and wider community. 

Links with partner schools in South Africa, New Zealand, France and Spain provide rich learning experiences for both students and teachers.  

Wellacre’s AfriTwin school exchange programme, which sees students visiting schools in South Africa, offers an opportunity to communicate and exchange cultural experiences. 

The Spanish Exchange complements foreign language learning and extends global citizenship beyond the school gates into the local community with the involvement of host families and local community groups.  

The eTwinning project with French partners has provided intercultural understanding and an opportunity to practise language skills with class communication with European students.

In this academic year, Wellacre’s Humanities department have established a connection with a partner school in New Zealand to share World War One remembrance activities and education for a global perspective.  

On hearing the news that Wellacre had received the award, Principal Miss Wicks said:

“Achieving the International School Award again recognises Wellacre’s continuing work in ensuring our students develop as well-rounded citizens with a good understanding of different faiths, cultures and global issues.”

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, which celebrates its 20 th Anniversary this year, is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Over 6000 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 schools

*  Year-round international activity

*  Involvement of the wider community