International School Award
To recognise the growing importance of the international dimension in school life and to acknowledge achievements in international activity, an accreditation framework for schools was developed, by the British Council Education and Training Group, in 1997/98. Accreditation of ISA is now a DfES target for all schools as oulined in their international strategy 'Putting the World into World Class Education'.
To recognise that schools will be at different stages of international activity there are now 3 stages of ISA accreditation:
1. Foundation
2. Intermediate
3. Full ISA Status
The Foundation Stage recognises the intention of schools to develop international activity in their planning and can be achieved by on-line registration. (By simply registering your school on The Global Gateway Partner-Finding Facility you would quality for Foundation Stage Status.) To find out more go to the webpages The Global Gateway or visit The British Council International School Award. You could also contact the programme organiser, John Rolfe, on john.rolfe@britishcouncil.org.
How do schools benefit?
In highlighting the European and International Dimension across the curriculum and in developing European and International links, the school as a whole can benefit:
· Develop the expertise, strengths, motivation, achievement and skills of pupils and teachers.
· Enhance opportunities for cross-curricular work
· Enrich the ethos of the school
· Raise the profile of the school in the local community
· Provide a real context for the use of ICT
· Give a higher profile to the learning of languages other than English and providing opportunities to use them purposefully
· Increase awareness of funding opportunities
The ISA provides a school with the opportunity to develop an action plan and a structured framework to the delivery of the International Dimension.
How do we celebrate this?
To celebrate the international links in Warwickshire Schools - Warwickshire hosted its first ever International Children's Services Schools' Award in July 2008. From this moment Warwickshire ISA event will be an annual celebration!