Penwortham Girls High School in Preston has been awarded Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom. 

The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. 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 for life and work in today’s world. 

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Penwortham Girls’ international work includes:

• A card exchange scheme with schools in France and Germany where students exchanged seasonal greeting cards at Christmas, Valentines and Easter.  
• Sharing assemblies and pupil voice activities with a school in Pakistan from International Women’s Day and Empathy Week.  

On hearing the news that Penwortham Girls’ High School had achieved Foundation level of the award, Sharon Hall Deputy Headteacher said:  “By working on the International Schools Award, we have taken the first step on a journey to enhance our students understanding of global citizenship.

“It has enhanced awareness of contrasting customs, promoting curiosity for other cultures and the importance of tolerance and mutual respect. Girls have had the opportunity to make links with four schools across two different continents, gaining a fascinating insight into the wider world in the process.”

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John Rolfe MBE, Schools Outreach Manager at the British Council, said: ‘Penwortham Girls’ High School’s international work has earned the school well-deserved recognition with the British Council International School Award – Foundation Certificate.  

“We are delighted and proud that Penwortham Girls’ High School is committed to developing a whole school approach to embedding and celebrating international work. The dedication from everyone is enriching education and supporting globally aware young people and the development of key skills.  

“We thank all involved in this important work; embedding a whole school international ethos across a school can lead to accreditation with the Full International School Award so please contact us at the British Council.”

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The award is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Around 6,000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999. 

The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop: 

• An international ethos embedded throughout the school 
• A whole school approach to international work 
• Collaborative curriculum-based work with a number of partner schools 
• Year-round international activity 
• Involvement of the wider community 

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