A WORCESTER school has been recognized as an ‘exemplar’ school by the British Council.

Christopher Whitehead Language College and Sixth Form had been given its fourth re-accreditation for the prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as through links with partner schools overseas.

Christopher Whitehead’s international work includes collaborative projects with schools in the USA, India, France and Australia, as well as an embedded global focus in nearly all subjects across the curriculum.

This year, students in year 9 English lessons discussed their perceptions of race relations in America with students in the USA, after their partners read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and the CWLC students read ‘Of Mice and Men’.

They also shared their impressions of the novels, research from the media and their transatlantic opinions about what the current Presidential election suggests about race relations today.

In languages lessons, students in years 10 and 13 have been writing and receiving letters from their pen-pals at our partner school in Rouen, France.

The students would receive letters from France, peer assess them, and send them back, along with a letter they wrote themselves.

A few weeks later they would receive a corrected version of their work back along with a new letter.

Martin Goffe, head of Modern Foreign Languages, said: "It has really stimulated interest in our students and an exchange trip to Rouen will hopefully be organised in the next few years."

Year 7 art students also collaborated with partners in Australia, sharing impressions of their own cities, and working in colour pencil crayon in the style of Hundertwasser.

John Rolfe, from 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.

"Adding an international dimension to children’s education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful future careers in an increasingly global economy.’