The Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College in Willesden has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom. The school’s international work includes exchanges and joint projects with overseas schools, themed workshops celebrating key events and a focus on global issues aimed at raising students’ awareness.
On receiving the news, new Headmistress Louise McGowan expressed her delight that the Convent of Jesus and Mary has been recognised for its outstanding and exemplary work in promoting modern languages: ‘In a global age it is essential that our young people are well-educated in international issues, that they embrace the opportunities that languages will open to them and, most importantly, that they are able to converse in a language other than English. All our girls are able to choose from a rich offer from French to Italian to Spanish. The work of our prestigious Language School that runs Wednesday evening and Saturday morning classes has enriched the lives of so many people from the community with its offer of Italian and Portuguese. I congratulate my new colleagues and the students whose hard work and dedication made this award possible.’
Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of the British Council, said: ‘The school’s fantastic international work has rightfully earned it this prestigious award. The International School Award is a great chance for schools to demonstrate the important work they’re doing to bring the world into their classrooms. Embedding an international dimension in children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful lives and careers in an increasingly global economy.’
The award is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Pakistan. Around 5,500 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.
