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31 January 2022
Alderley Edge School for Girls has been awarded the British Council International School Award, which celebrates the achievements of schools that create exceptional work in international education.
Since 1999, Alderley Edge School for Girls has been working with the British Council Erasmus programme to create events that immerse both senior school and junior school girls into different cultures; allowing them to learn different languages, taste different foods, and explore a diverse range of religions and festivals.
Among the events that have been organised recently by the school was the European Day of Languages, which included taster lessons in Welsh, Italian and Greek as well as food cooking and tasting workshops. Other events included a Mexican dance workshop and the creation of a European Café, which included menus from around Europe, with the girls cooking and providing them with lunch.
The feedback the school received from the British Council was excellent. They commented “Your Mexican dance workshop put the language in a cultural context and gave students a chance to relate to and understand the culture better. It is great that it was extended beyond the workshop to include a larger audience.
“Your European Café engaged good number of students throughout the school and added flavour to their language learning. It is great that you focused on more personal skills such as confidence and risk-taking, which they hopefully take with them to other areas of learning.”
Headteacher, Mrs Nicola Smillie, said: “The girls have absolutely loved the opportunities we created for them, which has allowed them to explore different nationalities and cultures. Fostering an international dimension within the school’s curriculum is something that, as a school, we are extremely committed to. It is of great importance that the girls gain a cultural understanding and language skills that they will need for life and work in today’s world.”
John Rolfe MBE, Schools Outreach Manager at the British Council added, “Alderley Edge School for Girls’ international work 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 embedding and celebrating international work. The dedication from everyone is enriching education and supporting globally aware young people and the development of key skills.”
The school is now working towards the Intermediate Award, which will see the school partner with a school overseas on a collaborative project, they will also raise awareness of global issues amongst its pupils and will share educational practice with partners oversees.
