International School Award 2009 - 2012

The new school year started on a high note, with notification that Grove School had achieved the International Schools Award for its portfolio of activities judged as excellent evidence of the school's international involvement. The ISA is awarded by the British Council in recognition of the work done by teaching staff to promote global awareness through their lessons. The portfolio illustrated the various schemes undertaken from September 2008 to July 2009, to increase knowledge of the lives of children in other parts of the world and to heighten awareness of the problems faced by those who struggle to survive in poorer countries.

The main focus for the entire school was Central & South America Month in February, which culminated in the Arts Festival. Other topics in the the portfolio were the exchange visit with the Realschule in Harpstedt, Germany, the visit to Market Drayton of the choir from the township school in Vukani, South Africa, International visitors from Finland, Austria, France, Spain and Italy, the Year 11 Master-class for linguists, the Foreign Language Leaders Award, International links with primary schools and citizenship events within Grove.

Many of the citizenship events took place in tutor groups, including the International Trading Game international trading & fair trade, The Real Game, an activity undertaken in PSHEE on the plight of children in Romanian orphanages leading to a collection of shoe-box gifts, plus a Japanese Cultural activity day and Aboriginal dotty painting during Activities week.

The panel judged these activities were excellent evidence of the school's commitment to preserving current international links, forging new links and increasing the students' global awareness. The award lasts for three years.