Ballyclare High wins international award

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

The International School Award 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.

Ballyclare High’s international work includes offering a wide range of trips to pupils, such as foreign language exchange trips to partner schools in France and Germany, language and culture trips to Spain and an annual trip for Year 8 pupils to France and/or Germany. There is also a keen involvement in both the Junior and Senior European Studies Programme, a community language outreach programme involving native assistants and Sixth Form pupils helping to teach modern languages in local primary schools and an array of extracurricular activities which include the Language Leader’s Award Scheme and participation in external debating and translation competitions.

Dr Michelle Rainey, Principal, said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award on behalf of the school for a record sixth time in succession. We are very proud of our international dimension and robust quality assurance such as this is the foundation of our continued commitment and passion for providing a breadth of opportunities for our pupils and staff across the curriculum. An eighteen year partnership with the British Council is something special.”

British Council Chief Executive, Sir Ciarán Devane, said: “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.”

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “Young people must be at the heart of our work to create a safer and more prosperous world for everyone and we need to ensure their voices are heard if we are to win the fight against global poverty. That is why I am delighted to celebrate the international work of Ballyclare High School and the energy and passion of the young people involved.

“The International School Award is a great way of highlighting how young people have the potential to change things for the better. I’m sure that schools getting involved will be broadening the horizons of their students, which will not only help their careers but benefit their wider lives in the future.”

Around 5,000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.