North Oxfordshire Academy receives the International School Award
12 October 2009
North Oxfordshire Academy in Banbury has received the prestigious International School Award (ISA) in recognition of its work of bringing the wider world into the classroom.
The DCSF International School Award seeks to celebrate, develop, recognise and accredit outstanding practice in the international dimension of the curriculum. It is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools and aims to help young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens.
The academy earned the award by holding cross-curricular days when students learnt about climate-change, Fair Trade and the causes of genocide. It also established partnerships with schools in France, Spain, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
Broadcaster and journalist George Alagiah will present the award to representatives from North Oxfordshire Academy at a special ceremony in London this month.
The award comes as the academy’s first students begin their International Baccalaureate (IB) courses making the academy the first government-funded school in Oxfordshire to follow the IB.
Academy Principal Ruth Robinson said: “I am thrilled that we have been awarded the ISA. It testifies to our belief in the equality of all people and it reflects creativity in bringing the globe into the classroom. It also recognises how successfully our teachers have incorporated international issues into their lessons and helped students gain a global perspective. At the academy, not only do we encourage our students to make a significant contribution to their local communities we also seek to give them an awareness of the wider world around them and help them become responsible global citizens.”
In 2009, which marks the 10th anniversary of the International School Award as well as the 75th anniversary of the British Council, 700 schools were accredited with the award. This is a record number of recipients and includes a wide range of schools from a variety of different backgrounds from across the UK.
Congratulating North Oxfordshire Academy on receiving the award, John Rolfe, Manager, DCSF International School Award at the British Council, said: “Many congratulations and many thanks on your well-deserved success in being accredited with the award. The rich range of work you are doing in the school and across your larger community to support and encourage global citizens with a greater understanding of the world around them is truly fantastic.”
