British Council’s International School Award (ISA) team met with representatives from 15 local schools and trusts in Newcastle on 15th November to discuss the requirements and benefits of being part of this award programme. We are encouraging all schools to consider applying for the ISA scheme, which provides a valuable framework and recognition of the work that schools already do around international links, intercultural awareness and languages.
Irina Gecheva and Ngozi Obiakonwa from British Council (pictured with Barbara Brown, Head Teacher at Sacred Heart Primary School who hosted one of the sessions) talked to school representatives in two sessions. They explained the benefits of the ISA for pupils, teachers and the school community, as well as providing details about the application process and giving examples of international activities that can be included at the Foundation, Intermediate, Accreditation and Reaccreditation levels. They also responded to questions from the schools.
The report of the session contains the full British Council presentation on the International School Award, responses to questions and discussions with the schools, as well as links to help and support from British Council and International Newcastle and Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness). We also share our new brochure, Empowering Newcastle’s Youth for a Global Future, which demonstrates the progress in the city’s schools around international links, languages and intercultural experiences.
Newcastle schools can achieve the Foundation Level if they have already taken part in our Express Yourself North East Festival of Languages 2023. The 2024 Festival programme will be shared in December and online from January 2024.
About the International School Award
British Council’s ISA provides a framework for schools to develop international activities across the curriculum, including collaborative work with international partner schools and opportunities to involve the wider community. Schools can start at Foundation level and then achieve accreditation as they develop through the levels.
The International Schools Award celebrates and recognises the international work that schools do. The programme encourages schools to open their classrooms and bring the world in, teaching pupils about other countries and cultures.
- No cost for applying, some staff time is needed
- A supportive and motivational framework to guide the school’s international learning activities
- Can be adapted to any curriculum at any level from nursery to 6th form colleges and special schools
- Any school in the UK that is delivering one of the national curricula can apply for the International School Award (3 to 18 years) and there is a lot of flexibility to suit students’ abilities
The International School Award:
- prepares young people for life in a global society by increasing their understanding of other countries, cultures, and global issues
- provides a motivational framework for teachers to develop themselves professionally (Leading on this work in school gives more opportunities for professional development, working with colleagues in other countries and supporting progression)
- recognises a school’s commitment to developing global citizenship in young people, and gives opportunities to raise the school’s profile through local and national media (Media packs are provided to schools to share news with local media)