As we all look ahead to the exciting challenges of 2023, all of us at the Global School Alliance are delighted to be celebrating the great impact of our flagship programme for schools.
Our Global School Awards celebrate schools for excellence in embedding a global dimension in their curriculum and ethos. They are a testament to the vision and commitment of fantastic heads and teachers who have opened up their classrooms to enriching, innovative and creative global working.
We work in over 100 countries worldwide, building engagement and trust through the exchange of knowledge and ideas. The awards focus on forming links that bring a global dimension to young people’s learning and ensure that they develop the skills and understanding to take their place in the world.
“Schools everywhere need to be celebrated and rewarded for developing and sustaining overseas links.”
The need for this is summed up beautifully in a quote from the author Marshall McLuhan which I saw displayed in a primary school recently: “There are no passengers on planet earth, we are all crew”. Our awards recognise the brilliant commitment from schools and celebrate that authentic learning.
Schools everywhere need to be celebrated and rewarded for developing and sustaining overseas links and powerful learning outcomes that equip young people to become the confident and empowered “crew” of our global society.
A big part of the awards’ focus is on empowering inclusive student voices to discuss areas of shared global concerns.
Much has happened in the world recently that has shocked, enthralled, puzzled and united us. It has become increasingly important to engage with cultures and societies that are different from our own, to learn from and share with one another, and to act together.
We recognise that now, more than ever, the importance of connecting young people and educators around the world through a hub of great schools to further equip them for living and working in our increasingly interconnected globe.
The awards framework encourages schools to make the most of their overseas partnerships and celebrate language learning, shared values and skills, raising standards and supporting the key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) across the curriculum and ethos of the school.
“Much has happened in the world that has shocked, enthralled, puzzled and united us.”
During my career I have visited many schools, in the UK and overseas, and what strikes me each time is the creative and inspiring work undertaken every day by educators. I am amazed by the diverse range of global work going on in all our schools. From the small rural primary, through to the large urban secondary and innovative special school, educators are raising young people’s awareness of the wider world, challenging stereotypes and developing their empathy and respect towards others every day.
I’ve always believed that globally-minded educators are the most important people in the world and I’m proud to work with and learn from schools involved in global activities and sharing what they have done.
For more information on the Global School Alliance and the Global Schools Awards, click here.
