TWO schools have been given a prestigious award for producing youngsters who are “global citizens”.

BBC broadcaster George Alagiah presented Ladybridge High School and Rivington and Blackrod High School with the coveted International School Award at a ceremony in London, for helping pupils to learn about the wider world.

The two schools have been recognised for their outstanding work in bringing the wider world into the classroom through a range of international projects.

These include links with Mozambique and Zimbabwe through a Connecting Classrooms project at Rivington and Blackrod, which involves pupils learning about what schools are like in those countries.

An e-twinning project with a Spanish school helped the children improve their language skills by writing about their favourite sports over the internet.

Other projects include regular exchanges with Swedish schools, educational visits to France and Germany and a fundraising day for UNICEF.

Global citizens are taught to have an understanding of their place in the world.

The ceremony was attended by Ann Zammit, assistant headteacher at Ladybridge High School, and Jon Banks, advanced skills teacher and head of geography at Rivington and Blackrod.

Mr Banks said: “It is a great reward for the long term vision and effort of the staff to add a global dimension to all learners’ education. We have many truly excellent activities integrated into our school life.”

Ms Zammit added: “It’s fantastic recognition of all the hard work put in by both staff and students involved in our many international activities. We truly feel we are an international community here at Ladybridge.”

The award was started in 1999 to recognise the schools installing a global dimension into the learning experience of all children and young people.

It is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and managed by the British Council.

John Rolfe, International School Award Manager for the British Council, said to the schools: “You are among the best schools in the country in your commitment to ensuring that all your young people develop as global citizens and the ethos in your schools celebrates and recognises the importance of the international dimension in education.”

amanda.smith@theboltonnews.co.uk