British Council International School

St Martin's School Honored with British Council International School Award at Intermediate Level

St Martin's School is delighted to announce that we have been honored with the prestigious British Council International School Award at its Intermediate level. This esteemed recognition highlights our commitment to fostering global citizenship and promoting international understanding within our school community.

The Intermediate level of the International School Award is designed for schools with established international partnerships and a consistent record of integrating internationalism into their curriculum. It recognizes the significant progress we have made in developing a global perspective among our students through sustained and impactful international activities.

At St Martin's, we understand the vital role of global education in preparing our students for an interconnected world. Through a variety of initiatives and programs, we have deeply embraced the principles of internationalism and encouraged our students to develop a comprehensive global outlook.

The activities submitted as evidence for this achievement were expertly coordinated by our Spanish department, under the guidance of Spanish Teacher, Sr. López. Working closely with María José Pérez Rico from our partner school in Algeciras, Spain, they have been pivotal in our success. Their collaborative efforts have led to enriching cultural exchanges and joint projects that have greatly benefited our students.

Receiving the British Council International School Award at the Intermediate level is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community, including students, teachers, and staff. It underscores our ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for our students to engage with different cultures, languages, and perspectives.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are motivated to continue our journey towards achieving the Accreditation level of the award. We are enthusiastic about expanding our international connections, forming more meaningful partnerships with schools around the world, and inspiring our students to become compassionate, globally-minded citizens. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the British Council for this recognition and look forward to the continued growth and success of our international initiatives at St Martin's School.

Our Global Learning Journey: Activities Showcasing Our Commitment to the British Council International School Award 2025

Explore the projects and partnerships that reflect our dedication to internationalism and global citizenship.

As part of our application for the British Council International School Award 2025, we are proud to present a showcase of the international activities and collaborative projects our school has undertaken this year. This website serves as a digital portfolio, highlighting our commitment to embedding global learning across the curriculum, fostering international partnerships, and nurturing our students as responsible global citizens. Each activity reflects our dedication to promoting cultural understanding, sustainability, and inclusive education on a global scale.

Pen Pals with Padlet: Our students are connecting with peers from around the world through Padlet. They post videos, pictures, and write introductions in the target language, fostering cultural exchange and language skills. 🌍📱

Getting to Know Our Partner School: During form time, students from each class sent questions to our partner school and received answers in return. They then shared these responses with their classmates, promoting curiosity and understanding of different cultures. 🌐✉️

This assembly was organized to share the enriching experiences from our recent exchange trip with the entire school. It aimed to highlight the cultural exchange, friendships formed, and the valuable lessons learned. Students presented their adventures, including first-hand testimonies from Spanish peers, to inspire and educate their classmates about the benefits of international collaboration. 🌍🎤

As part of a cross-curricular exploration of Classical Greece, students engaged in activities across different subjects to deepen their understanding of the era’s historical and intellectual legacy. In PE, they studied the origins of the Olympic Games, learning about their significance in ancient society and comparing them to modern-day competitions. In Maths, they explored the contributions of Pythagoras and Archimedes, examining their theories and their lasting impact on mathematical principles. In English, students delved into Greek mythology, analyzing myths and their influence on storytelling, culture, and language.

As part of the European Day of Languages celebration, students took part in a special form-time activity highlighting the importance of language learning. They began by exploring the benefits of multilingualism in communication, career opportunities, and cultural understanding. To reinforce this message, they watched a video featuring students from our school introducing themselves in their native languages, showcasing the rich linguistic diversity within our community.

Following this, students were introduced to the European Union Council’s European Day of Languages Logo Competition. They were challenged to design a creative and meaningful logo representing the value of language learning. The most outstanding designs were selected and submitted, with the winning entry set to be printed on the official European Day of Languages T-shirt, giving students the unique opportunity to contribute to an international celebration of languages.

As part of our collaboration, we explored various artistic expressions from cultures outside the Anglosaxon world. Students researched and analyzed different forms of art, including music, literature, visual arts, and performance traditions from diverse regions. Through discussions, creative projects, and presentations, they reflected on the cultural significance and historical context of these artistic expressions. This activity encouraged students to appreciate global perspectives on art and broaden their understanding of creativity beyond their familiar cultural influences.

Students explored the global issue of refugees across several subjects. In English, they analyzed poetry by Iranian authors about displacement and resilience. In Geography, they studied climate change-induced displacement and its global impact. In Spanish, they examined how war affects children by watching and analyzing Voces Inocentes, set during El Salvador's civil war. In History, they learned about the Syrian war and its role in the ongoing refugee crisis.

A Window to the World

Our "Window to the World" activity invited participants to creatively explore and share their unique perspectives on the world around them. Through drawing, painting, writing, and other expressive forms, individuals captured what they see, feel, and imagine when they look out their own "window"—whether literal or metaphorical.

This cross-curricular project brought together the subjects of Art, Geography, English, Spanish, and RSE, encouraging students to make meaningful connections between creativity, culture, language, and personal wellbeing. The result is a vibrant tapestry of global viewpoints, fostering empathy, curiosity, and connection across communities.

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