The International School Award (ISA) is a global accreditation scheme recognising good practice in incorporating the international dimension into schools. The accreditation process has an action planning stage, followed by compilation of evidence and the submission of an evaluation. It takes approximately 15 months to complete. Successful schools are accredited for three years.

The International School Award (ISA) acknowledges school collaboration internationally and provides a framework for recognising schools that:

• champion international work and collaboration with partners to build and develop lasting relationships

• benchmark best practice and share professional development in teaching and learning

• engage young people in both the global economy and global citizenship and develop their skills for life and work

• support whole-school projects that contribute towards school improvement

• enrich education through international work.

Why take part?

Pupils will develop:

• an increased knowledge, awareness and tolerance about other countries, cultures and languages,

• confidence in communicating with people from different backgrounds,

• more skills to successfully live and work in a global and mobile society,

• literacy skills when writing stories and letters for specifics audiences

• students begin to develop confidence with their foreign language skills.

Benefits for the school:

• an increased profile of the school in the local community, making it more attractive for prospective parents and teachers.

• providing an extra dimension to student's learning and development which other schools may not offer.

• creating important links with schools abroad to exchange knowledge and skills.

Accreditation level guidance

Please see below the message confirming our achievements so far,  we are in the process of applying for Accreditation level. 

"Congratulations to all involved at Cherry Orchard Primary Academy on your successful Foundation certificate! Your commitment to international learning and languages spoken in your school is commendable and inspiration for other schools. You clearly have great knowledge of where your pupils and families originate and have utilised this to create a fantastic welcome to your school. This knowledge will come in very handy when thinking of new and exciting activities for your school, such as celebrating World Book Day or learning about international cuisines. You are in the process of establishing contacts with overseas schools from multiple countries which is great and will really help to cement the internationalism in your school. The interactions your pupils will get to have will be memorable and very helpful in the learning process, especially when exploring similarities and differences in culture/traditions."

 Schools who successfully complete the Accreditation level will be awarded this achievement for three years. Application requirements - Schools must submit a plan to complete over the school year. It must include:

• seven curriculum-based international activities,

• three activities must be completed in partnership with partner schools in other countries.

• one activity must contain a foreign language element, connected to the learning about the culture of another country. 

• you must demonstrate elements of cultural exchange in activities,

• activities should be spread throughout the school year and cover a range of subjects,

• the majority of students, across various age ranges have participated in activities. Do not limit involvement of students to a single year group.

Schools will also submit an Impact Evaluation at the end of the school year. It must demonstrate the impact of the activities on learners, teachers and the community.

LACO Partner schools

Starfish Malawi charity school link: SALIMA LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY SCHOOL, Malawi

https://starfishmalawi.com/

BRITISH COUNCIL

1. Scola Virolai- Barcelona, Spain

2. KIDS' PALACE SCHOOL Ekwamkrom,Ghana

3. Palladium School Greece