Glengormley school picks up top award

The award was presented to the school in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award (ISA) is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as through links with partner schools overseas. 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 to live and work as global citizens.

Glengormley Integrated Primary School’s international work includes links with schools in Europe and North America, embedding the sharing of cultures and languages into their curriculum and celebrating diversity.

The ISA assessors praised the school for “embedding internationalism into clearly defined areas of the curriculum and demonstrating its commitment to introducing and maintaining excellent practice across the board.”

On hearing the news that the school had received the award, principal Nigel Arnold said: “I am absolutely delighted for the whole school in receiving the Advanced Level of International School Award. The feedback from the British Council, referring to our Impact Evaluation as “absolutely outstanding”, is a credit to our ISA leader, our teaching and non-teaching staff and our wonderful pupils who value the inclusivity and mutual respect across our integrated school community.”

John Rolfe, from the British Council, added: “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. Adding an international dimension to children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful future careers in an increasingly global economy.”

The ISA is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Pakistan as part of the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme. Around 4,000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.