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Alderley Edge School for Girls has received the British Council International School Award, which celebrates the achievements of schools that create outstanding work in international education.
Since 1999, Alderley Edge School for Girls has worked with the British Council’s Erasmus program to create events that immerse both high school and college girls in different cultures. allowing them to learn different languages, taste different foods and explore a wide range of religions and festivals.
Among the school’s recent events, European Day of Languages included introductory courses in Welsh, Italian and Greek as well as cooking and tasting workshops. Other events included a Mexican dance workshop and the creation of a European cafe, which included menus from all over Europe, with the girls cooking and providing them with lunch.
The feedback the school has received from the British Council has been excellent. They commented “Your Mexican dance workshop placed the language in a cultural context and gave students a chance to better understand and comprehend the culture. It is great that it has been extended beyond the workshop to include a wider audience.
“Your European Café has attracted a good number of pupils across the school and has added flavor to their language learning. It is great that you have focused on more personal skills such as confidence and taking of risks, which they hope to take with them to other areas of learning.”
Director, Ms Nicola Smillie, said: “The girls absolutely loved the opportunities we created for them, allowing them to explore different nationalities and cultures. Fostering an international dimension in the school curriculum is something that we as a school are very important for girls to gain the cultural understanding and language skills they will need to live and work in today’s world today.
John Rolfe MBE, Head of School Outreach at the British Council, added: “The international work of Alderley Edge School for Girls has earned the school well-deserved recognition with the British Council International School Award – Foundation Award.
“We are delighted and proud that Alderley Edge School for Girls is committed to developing a whole school approach to integrating and celebrating international work. Everyone’s dedication enriches education and supports globally minded young people and the development of key skills.”
The school is currently working on the Intermediate Award, which will see the school partner with a school abroad on a collaborative project, they will also raise awareness of its students on global issues and share educational practices with supervised partners.