Rewarded for global links

Pupils and staff at two schools have won a national award for international excellence.

The award is given to schools that have incorporated a wide range of international projects into the classroom syllabus.

It has been given to Halam Church of England Primary School and the Minster School, Southwell.

The head at Halam, Mrs Kate Brown, travelled to London to receive the award, presented by the BBC newsreader, Mr George Alagiah.

She said: “Everyone has worked very hard on this important aspect of school life at Halam.

“We aim to develop international citizens for the future.”

Halam school held a Ghana Week where every class learned about a different aspect of Ghana.

It was inspired by a visit to the country by Mrs Brown.

A pupil, Josh Payton (10) said: “I really enjoyed our Ghana Week activities. In my class we did African art and I designed an African landscape.

“I think learning about the whole world is very good as it makes us aware of the things that people do or do not have.”

At the Minster School, a range of international issues have been incorporated into its syllabus.

Regular international music days have been held playing a variety of Chinese and African music.

Fair trade days have also been held at the school and pupils have started a Save the Amazon Rainforest campaign.

A teacher, Mr Chris Stevens, said: “This is a great achievement for the school and we look forward to more international development over the coming terms.”