The world for which we are preparing our children is an increasingly small and interdependent one. Students will need to be flexible, tolerant and cosmopolitan. They will need a clear understanding of their roots but must also be able to move confidently between cultures. International understanding is best developed when students have the opportunity to make personal contacts and to experience the culture of others directly.
Students are encouraged to participate in an extensive programme of visits and exchanges throughout Europe and each year a number of extra opportunities arise out of the school's activities.
European and International Awareness is not a slot in the curriculum in which our students are taught about Europe and the wider world. In this school opportunities are taken to create an atmosphere in which Europe and International Awareness is at the very heart of education in its widest sense and we recognise contributions through;
- the formal curriculum
- planned contacts within the visits and exchanges programme
- encouragement of foreign languages for all
- special events
- extra-curricular activities
- Diplôme du Citoyen
Contact with others
International understanding is best developed when students have the opportunity to make personal contacts and to experience the culture of others directly. Students are encouraged to participate in an extensive programme of visits and exchanges throughout Europe. The visits and exchanges programme involves about 700 students each year to 15 European destinations. Each year a number of extra opportunities arise out of the school's activities. (Click here for a map of our European Partner Schools). There have also been language based conferences and visits to China in recent years. The programme begins in year 7 with a visit to the Chateau in Wegimont in Southern Belgium, in Year 8 students exchange with French schools in 5 locations and in Year 9 the destinations are 4 schools in Germany and a Spanish school. In Year 10 students choose between France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Certain students are invited to participate in longer term exchanges- 3 weeks in France or 8 weeks in Germany. These students attend school with their partners. The sixth form have exchanges to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, work experience in Germany and some years Art visits to Paris or Amsterdam.
The formal curriculum
The taught curriculum offers opportunities to work towards International understanding in a wide variety of different ways. Ultimately International awareness helps to develop the global perspective which young people should have on the issues facing them. Europe is the natural unit to which we belong and from which we get our sense of place and the stability we need as our perspective shifts from our individual location to a global view. Subject area statements identify their own contributions to this ethos driven curriculum.
Within the curriculum there are also further experiences:-
For Year 7, an induction programme in all subjects introducing the International Dimension - Who do we think we are?
The Diplôme du Citoyen - the creditation for our citizenship programme
Cosmos and World Watch - International groups
Model UN - activities in Year 10 Citizenship and CAS
Speakers - programme in Sixth Form
Globex - a programme of active learning about the world for those who do not participate in the exchanges programme.