Grantham school celebrates International School Award

Grantham Additional Needs Fellowship (GANF) has been awarded the British Council’s
prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the
classroom.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the award, which celebrates the achievements of
schools that do exceptional work in global education. Bringing an international dimension into
the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people
gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world.
The 2025 award ceremony took place in Westminster on Monday 20 January. Members of
Parliament and representatives from schools around the UK attended the event. Oliver Maltby
(Assistant Headteacher) and Chloe Golland (International Co-ordinator) went to London to
receive the school’s award.

GANF’s international work includes termly international days, learning about different
celebrations in RE such as Diwali and a continued partnership with KBZO school in Germany
(including pen friends and exchange trips). Pupils experience international activities through
Newsround and exposure to UNICEF rights. This opens up discussion of world issues and
current affairs. Pupils develop an understanding of their place in the world and what the world
can look like for different people. Our pupils experience a wide range of cross-curricular and
multi-sensory opportunities supporting their understanding of the world around them. Staff
have received training on the International School Award and have a good understanding of
how international practice is integrated into the curriculum and school ethos/culture.

On hearing the news that GANF had received the award, Chloe Golland (International Co-
Ordinator) said: ‘It is fantastic news that GANF have received the award for our continued

international work, supporting pupils to see a world beyond their own. Our international work
is a crucial part of our curriculum and day-to-day practice. This is integrated into our British

Values work and promotion of our school values. It is an honour to see the pupils engaging
and learning during international days. It is a privilege to be a part of providing our pupils with
opportunities to try new foods, experience different cultures and develop their understanding
of cultural celebrations Our continued partnership with KBZO school in Germany remains at
the heart of our international work. Our Pen Pal projects, sharing of letters and exchange trips
supports pupils to develop confidence and an understanding of the world around them.
International days are very successful at GANF. It is clear that pupils and staff value these
experiences which contribute to their understanding of the wider world’.

‘As a school, we have also developed our International Policy which promotes a sense of
international identity and articulates our continued desire to integrate global issues and
international awareness into our curriculum and lessons. I feel proud of GANF staff and pupils
as we continue our journey of partnerships and international work. International practice is
integrated into everything we do at GANF, and I look forward to future projects we will
participate in and the exciting opportunities our pupils will partake in’.

Daley Barber-Allen, Headteacher at GANF added: ‘We are delighted that the international
work we do as a school has been recognised in this way. Many of our pupils live quite isolated
lives outside of school and many do not get the opportunity to travel abroad or may have
difficulty doing so. We are therefore always trying to find creative ways of bringing the wider
world into our school so that our pupils can still experience the enjoyment of learning about
different countries, cultures and languages. Achieving the International School Award is an
important milestone in our mission for all GANF pupils to recognise their own place within the
wider global community.’

Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: ‘The school has earned this
prestigious award through its inspirational international work and links with schools abroad.
The International School Award is a chance for schools to be recognised for their important
work bringing the world into their classrooms. The desire to build on their international work
shines through and it is with upmost pride that we celebrate their achievements.

By embedding an international dimension in children’s education, these schools are preparing
their students for successful lives in the UK or further afield, empowering them to be global
citizens, and are creating vital opportunities in an increasingly global economy.’

Over 6000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK
since the scheme began in 1999.

The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop:

• An international ethos embedded throughout the school
• A whole school approach to international work
• Collaborative curriculum-based work with several partner schools
• Year-round international activity
• Involvement of the wider community