A WREXHAM school has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education.

Fostering an international dimension in 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 work in today’s world.

St Christopher’s School in Hightown has international work links with schools in Germany, Italy, South Africa and more recently Romania.

The school has also been successful in applying for Erasmus Funding from the British Council and European Commission.

This will see the school participating in a two year project with Theoretical High School ‘Ion Ghia’ a school in Romania, where cultural activities will be carried out and mirrored by the schools and a reciprocal, cultural visit for a small number of the students to Romania will take place.

The school participate in an annual International Food Day and International Sports Week, European Studies, they are a Fair Trade School, and have recently completed a creative project based on St Christopher, the patron saint of travellers.

On hearing the news that St Christopher’s School had received the award, Ceri Ellis, international co-ordinator and deputy head of the senior department said: “It’s great to receive recognition for all the International work that the school has done and will continue to do.

"Staff and pupils love being part of International work that is carried out throughout the school and very much embedded in the curriculum. The pupils are enthusiastic learners and always give 100 per cent when work is based on different cultures and traditions, foods from around the world, traditional dress, different religions and other international topics.

"This has opened up so many opportunities for our students, where they can explore the world within the safe surroundings of school.”

Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of 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.

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

The award is now available worldwide in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Pakistan. Around 5,500 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 a number of partner schools; year-round international activity and involvement of the wider community.