Bearsden Academy Pioneers Global Learning, Wins British Council International School Award

Bearsden Academy Celebrates Achievement in International Education with British Council Award

Bearsden Academy has been recognised for its commitment to global education, earning the Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award. The award celebrates schools that show outstanding dedication to embedding an international perspective in their curriculum, equipping students with the cultural awareness and skills essential for life and work in a globalised world. Since its launch in 1999, the International School Award has honoured more than 6,000 schools across the UK for fostering international engagement. Now available in countries such as Greece, India, and Nigeria, the programme encourages the development of a strong international ethos embedded throughout the school.

The award promotes a whole-school approach to global learning, encouraging collaborative, curriculum-based projects with partner schools, year-round international activities, and wider community involvement. These efforts help students better understand diverse cultures and global challenges. Bearsden Academy’s international work includes school partnerships, overseas trips, and events that celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity within the school community. Through these initiatives, the school has demonstrated a consistent commitment to enriching student learning through global engagement.

Councillor Lynda Williamson, Convener of East Dunbartonshire’s Education Committee, congratulated the entire school community on this achievement. She acknowledged the effort involved in building the school’s international ethos and emphasised the importance of broadening pupils’ experiences to prepare them for life beyond school. She added that the recognition reflects the council's commitment to embedding internationalism in the curriculum and preparing young people for a global future. She also expressed pride in the dedication of pupils and staff and looked forward to strengthening international ties further.

Shannon West, Head of UK Schools for the British Council, commended Bearsden Academy for its well-deserved recognition, praising its whole-school approach to international education. She noted that this work enriches learning and helps develop global awareness and essential life skills in students. She thanked everyone involved in the initiative and pointed out that embedding an international ethos can lead to full International School Award accreditation—the highest level. She encouraged other schools to join this global network by reaching out to the British Council. Bearsden Academy’s recognition highlights the power of international education in shaping globally minded, future-ready learners.

Editor’s Note:

In an increasingly interconnected world, schools must do more than teach core subjects—they must cultivate global citizens. Bearsden Academy’s achievement of the British Council’s International School Award at the Foundation level is not just a mark of excellence but a testament to its vision. The school’s efforts to embed internationalism into its ethos—from overseas partnerships to cultural events—demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to education. As young people face complex global challenges, preparing them with cross-cultural understanding and global competencies is no longer optional—it is essential. Bearsden Academy’s commitment shows how schools can lead the way in fostering not just academic achievement but global awareness, empathy, and adaptability.

Skoobuzz believes that Bearsden Academy sets an important example for other institutions across the country. In a time when education systems often prioritise performance metrics and league tables, the school’s dedication to international engagement reminds us of education’s broader purpose—to shape informed, responsible, and compassionate individuals ready to contribute to a global society.