At Richard Hale School, we are proud to confirm that we have been awarded the Intermediate Level of the British Council's prestigious International School Award. This exciting step reflects our commitment to embedding international learning throughout our curriculum and celebrating the wide-ranging global work taking place across our school.
Why This Matters
Our motivation is simple: we want to raise students’ awareness of other cultures and countries, and to foster curiosity, global citizenship, and respect for diversity. Across subjects and enrichment activities, we give students the tools to understand the world around them—and their place in it.
Celebrating International Partnerships
We are especially proud of our long-standing partnerships with schools in France and Germany. These links allow our students to communicate, collaborate, and build friendships with peers from different cultural backgrounds, enriching their language skills and deepening their appreciation of European life.
We also benefit from active town twinning links with Germany, which we weave into our curriculum to promote shared history, international understanding, and community.
A Rich History of International Activity
Our international outlook is long-established and continues to evolve. For many years, French and German exchange programmes have offered our GCSE students authentic, immersive opportunities to practise their language skills and experience new cultures—often resulting in lasting friendships.
Broadening Global Awareness
We extend global learning beyond Europe. Our partnership with Brazilian charity Onda Solidária promotes social justice, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue.
Educational visits, such as a moving trip to Auschwitz, deepen students’ understanding of European history, human rights, and the importance of remembrance.
A recent Art trip to New York offered a rich mix of art, history, and cultural discovery, showcasing global perspectives in a world-famous city.
Global Learning Across the Curriculum
We actively embed international learning throughout a broad and ambitious curriculum. Key examples include:
- Music (Years 7–8): Exploring African Drumming, Samba, Blues and Reggae, with an emphasis on performance and cultural origins.
- Geography (Years 7–8): Investigating global inequality, extreme environments, population change and emerging nations.
- History (Years 7–8): Studying the Islamic Golden Age, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Civil Rights Movement, and global revolutions.
- RE (Year 7): Introducing the world’s major religions to promote respect for belief systems.
- Languages (Years 7–8): Learning about everyday life and traditions in French- and German-speaking countries, supported by film projects and cultural clubs.
- PE (Years 7–8): Playing international sports such as Lacrosse, Handball and American Football.
At GCSE and A Level, our curriculum meets exam requirements while also promoting global awareness wherever possible.
Super-Curricular and Duke of Edinburgh Opportunities
We offer rich super-curricular activities that expand students' understanding of global issues, including independent study, lectures, and reading beyond the classroom.
Our Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze to Gold) supports personal growth and international awareness. For the Gold Award, students complete a 5-day residential, often abroad. This year, our Sixth Form students are embarking on exciting international experiences, including:
- A French language course in Montpellier
- Teaching and turtle conservation in Sri Lanka
- Surfing and social action in Portugal
- Cooking and outdoor activities in rural France
- Hospitality training in France
These experiences promote independence, intercultural understanding, and lifelong learning.