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Schools rewarded for international efforts

Warwickshire schools will be acknowledged for their work with other schools around the globe at a special presentation next week.

Warwickshire County Council’s third annual International Schools Awards (ISA) ceremony will take place on 22 June, hosted by last year’s Warwickshire International Primary School of the year St Paul’s CofE Primary School in Nuneaton.

The Department for Education (DfE) ISA is an accreditation scheme for curriculum-based international work in schools.  To achieve the award, schools need to demonstrate that they are engaged with international issues and have established sustainable links with schools in other nations. 

They need to show how their international relationships enrich teaching and learning and equip young people with skills to become active learners and members of a global community and economy.

The event next Tuesday will give formal recognition to a number of schools that attained the full ISA award in the past year and Hughie Todner MBE will present the magnificent Hughie Todner Memorial Trophies, benefacted by the former county councillor, to the Warwickshire International Primary and Secondary Schools of the Year.

This year the prestigious awards will go to Birchwood Primary School in North Warwickshire and Rugby High School, for their schools’ outstanding international engagement.

Heather Timms, the county council’s portfolio holder for children, young people and families said: “In Warwickshire we are fully committed, at the highest level, to supporting our schools in international development. This is demonstrated through the opportunities we offer for international continuous professional development for staff, formal links with China and India, and in our many European and global multilateral projects.”

Judith Walker, International Development Officer for the county council added: “The DfE target is for all schools to achieve a level of ISA by 2012. In Warwickshire we are in a strong position with almost two thirds of our schools having achieved a level of this prestigious recognition and celebration of schools’ international activity.

“The county council will continue to support and encourage schools as they embed an international dimension to their teaching and learning and equip young people with the skills to become successful and active global citizens.”