A Hampshire primary school with links in Kenya, South Africa and Sweden has won the prestigious British Council sponsored TES International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into its classroom.
Newlands Primary School, which is based in the town of Yateley and teaches pupils aged 5-11, was awarded the badge of honour on the basis of its outstanding work in international education – something 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.
International work carried out by the global-thinking primary school has seen links with schools in Europe and Africa established and pupils working on various projects across continents through video recordings, letter writing and via digital means such as Skype. The school has also been awarded the British Council’s International School Award twice – from 2010-2013 and from 2013-16 - a supportive and motivational framework that guides schools through their international work.
Mark Herbert, the British Council’s Head of Schools Programmes, who presented the Award at a ceremony in London on Friday 19th June, said: “Newlands Primary School has consistently brought the world into its classrooms, by building strong and lasting connections with schools across several continents. In order for our young people to understand the world around them, it is important that they don’t just learn about other cultures but learn alongside them as well – Newlands is certainly leading the way in this respect and sets an excellent example for other schools in how they too can become more globally engaged.”
On hearing the news that Newlands Primary School had received the TES International Award, Carl McCarthy, Head Teacher, said: “I am truly delighted that we have won [this] Award. The evening was a fantastic celebration of everything that is great about teaching - every moment was filled with reminders about why our profession is one of the best in the world.
“It was humbling to see so many amazing schools receiving recognition for the great work that they do. Receiving this award - to say that we stand side by side with such dedicated, inspirational professionals - is a moment that we will remember for the rest of our lives.”
2015 is the second year the British Council has sponsored the International School Award at the national TES Schools Awards. The other nominees were:
• Crickhowell High School, Powys
• Ysgol Dinas Bran, Denbighshire
• Frances Olive Anderson Primary School, Lincolnshire
• Jack Hunt School, Peterborough
• Manor C E Academy, York
• Prince Rock Primary School, Plymouth
• Whitehill Junior School, Hertfordshire
The British Council Schools Online website is a ‘one stop shop’ to help schools find international opportunities.