International School Award

Background to International School Award in the UK

• Started in 1999

• Covers 3 – 18 age range

• 10,000 schools involved

• 4,000 fully accredited

• Funded in the UK by DCSF

Recognition

Schools that participate in Connecting Classrooms become eligible to apply for the International School Award, recognising the school’s commitment to forming international partnerships and developing global citizens

International School Award

• Accreditation is for three years

• Trophy, certificate and use of logo

•Acknowledgement of high standards of international work

•Accredited schools can become “champion ambassadors”

What does the ISA do?

• Recognises, celebrates, develops and encourages successful practice in curriculum-based international work in schools

•Provides opportunities for creative teaching and learning that encourages well motivated and inspired young people

International School Award

“The ISA is unique because its international work is achieved by involving the entire school community. It cuts across age groups and subject areas, inspires pupils and staff to engage in cross-cultural conversation and conveys the message of building a more equitable social order.”

Dr Jyoti Bose, Learning World magazineMay 2009

• Framework for developing international work

• Involvement of all key stakeholders including students

• An enriched curriculum and a whole school ethos

• Portfolio of evidence of international work

• Sense of recognition

• Raising the school’s profile

Benefits

International School Award

• 90 schools accredited in India

• 5 schools accredited in Sri Lanka

• 3 schools in Pakistan have completed their ISA portfolios

• ISA has also been successfully piloted in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon

Selection Criteria

• Write, review or adopt a school international policy

• Appoint an international co-ordinator

• Plan 7 distinct international activities

• Plan collaborative work with at least one international partner school

Selection Criteria

• Undertake year round activity

• Undertake curriculum based activity

• Involve a range of year groups

• Involve a range of subject areas

• Evaluation of impact

The International Co-ordinator

Look at the examples of job descriptions from the UK and India that you have been given. Are there any things you might want to add or change to suit your context better?

The International Policy

Look at the examples of International Policies from the UK and India that you have been given. Are there things you might want to add or change to suit your context better?

Maths: World currencies. Charts of pupils’ holiday destinations. Comparing water usage with partner schools. Symmetry of world art (cross-curricular)

History: Historical world figures or events

Curricular International Activities

Geography: Collecting food labels and putting them on a world map. Study of population change around the world

Art & Design: African/Asian/Aboriginal art – looking at colours and patterns

PE: Games from other countries. International dance workshops. Monitoring fitness levels and comparing with partner schools

Music: Comparing world music & instruments

ICT: Email/video-conferencing links

Science: Climate changes

Language work

Curricular International Activities

What types of international activities are you involved in and which have been most successful?

Curricular International Activities

"Working for the ISA has been a very worthwhile exercise for numerous reasons. It has motivated the entire school and encouraged students and teachers to discuss issues of global concern. This made the learning environment dynamic and encouraged the production of innovative ideas from those that took part.”ISA coordinator: Mrs S.Jayaweera, Sangabodhi Vidalaya, Nittambuwa, Sri Lanka

“Personally, I have enjoyed listening in on conversations between children in my class, discussing relative merits of different lifestyles from across the globe. At four years of age, this non-judgemental positive way of seeing things bodes well for the future.” Louise Collins, Dunster First School, UK

International School Award