Ballard is celebrating after retaining the British Council’s prestigious International School Award and securing a grant to further support its international work. The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, helping young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens. Ballard first received the award in 2015 and it has gained reaccreditation for a further three years following a recent visit from an external assessor.
Just days after this success, the school learned it has also secured a grant from Erasmus+, an EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, administered in the UK by the British Council. The funding will support a two-year project strengthening Ballard’s relationship with its partner school in Italy.
Headmaster Andrew McCleave said:
“This two-fold success is testament to all of the enriching and wide-reaching international activities that go on year-round at Ballard; not least of all our wonderful ‘Around The World at Ballard’ open day event this summer. The Erasmus+ grant will support our ongoing international work, which reaches into many facets of our school life and offer fantastic opportunities for pupils and staff alike, including enabling hosting and visiting opportunities with our partner school in Italy.”
Ballard’s international work has included cultural links with schools in Germany, Italy and Spain, including exchange trips. Its curriculum reflects its outward-looking approach with, for example, younger children celebrating Chinese New Year and projects for older children in European countries. Ballard also supports a trip to Kenya every two years to support community projects, as well as art and cultural visits to Italy and the USA.
