School makes world links

A village school has won an award for encouraging global awareness among its pupils.

Muskham Primary School was presented with an International Schools’ intermediate award.

The award, run by the British Council and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, recognises schools that aim to expand pupils’ knowledge and understanding of other cultures.

There are three award levels: foundation, intermediate and full.

To fulfil the criteria for the intermediate award, schools must have a partner school in a different country.

Muskham Primary School has been linked to Nomexy School in Epinal, France, for six months after the head, Mrs Gillian Kent, visited the school last year.

Pupils have exchanged letters and emails.

Muskham also had to show that its teaching addressed issues in other cultures and nationalities.

Along with a project about Chinese New Year, pupils spent a day learning about Hinduism.

Teacher Mrs Eleanor Power said they tried to give the subjects they taught an international feel and older pupils were learning to speak French.

The school is now aiming for the full award, which means partnering a further two foreign schools.