School linking hits ten year high

More than 700 schools scooped the International School Award (ISA), which celebrates the dedication of UK teachers who work to forge links with schools across the world and internationalise their pupils’ education. Run by the British Council and funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families with the support of the UK's devolved administrations, the award celebrated its tenth anniversary this year.

BBC newsreader George Alagiah who hosted the event said to the audience of teachers from across the UK: ‘I think you have done something really truly remarkable, you have created the world in your classroom.’ 

To date the British Council has helped create 2,700 international school links. Bringing this international dimension to the classroom both stimulates learning and helps equip young people with the skills and understanding to live and work in a global society after school.

Christ's Hospital School in Lincoln won the award for the fourth time. Freddie White, Deputy Headteacher, said: ‘The award is a fantastic accolade and it is a really nice pat on the back to say actually people are recognising all the hard work and commitment that goes on in the school. An international dimension gives so much richness to the curriculum and the award recognises the children’s and staff’s support for the award, because if the children didn’t support it and the staff didn’t support it the award would be meaningless.’

He also spoke of the other benefits school-linking can bring, saying during the ten years the school had been involved in the scheme, racism had dropped to just one or two instances a year among the school’s 1,400 pupils.

Education Consultant John Pinch, who is on the ISA judging panel, said the awards were the ‘BAFTAs’ for teachers: ‘Winning the full ISA acknowledges the terrific work that teachers are doing. It shows schools have gone beyond what is normally expected in terms of teaching, because pupils have been encouraged to foster close links with pupils from other countries and learn first-hand about their experiences.’

For more information about connecting your classroom, visit www.britishcouncil.org/learning-ie-school-partnerships.htm

For more information about the International School Award, visit www.globalgateway.org.uk/isa