International School Award

We are proud to announce that Cirencester Deer Park School has achieved the full International School Award accreditation for the third time. The new award, 2011-14, celebrates the School’s international work with its partner schools and colleges across the globe. Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, and Governors of Deer Park School believe strongly in enriching the curriculum and appreciate the benefits that international partnerships can bring to pupils, staff, the school and community at large.

The panel reviewing applications for the International School Award expressed their gratitude: ‘Thank you for taking part in the International School Award. Please convey our very best wishes and many congratulations to all staff and students both in the UK and overseas who have taken part in the scheme. The panel considered the quality of Deer Park’s international work to be outstanding.’ (Rebecca Picton, British Council International School Award)

‘We continue to develop our international programme,’ said Headteacher, Chiquita Henson, ‘and ensure a global dimension as an entitlement, is embedded within, and adds breadth to, our curriculum.’

Partnership work during 2011-12 includes Comenius projects with schools in France, Holland and Spain, together with existing project work all ready in progress with schools in Sweden and Germany. An exciting new Gloucestershire Local Authority partnership between Gloucestershire schools and schools in Nagpur, India, has also just been confirmed.

Annual international events, such as the MUNA, a Model United Nations’ Conference, provides the basis for pupils to interact and debate with their peers from across Europe. Our main European partner, Alfrink College in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, has hosted the event for six years with Deer Park repeatedly invited to send a team of delegates. Caroline Skerten, Assistant Headteacher, accompanied the pupils to Alfrink College earlier this year and was keen for the debating experience to be brought back into Deer Park. She subsequently launched a junior model conference for pupils in Year 7 who were mentored by our Dutch colleagues and participated in a live link with their counterparts in Holland.

The school is very proud of its international work and the contribution that all curriculum areas make to our international programme. Organisations such as UNESCO and the affiliated schools programme, together with established international contacts made over a number of years, provide the basis for cooperation and interaction, together with the development of knowledge and understanding of each other’s culture and day to day lives.

We are very grateful for the support of the work of the Gloucestershire International Education Office, UNESCO, local primary schools and the Cirencester Town Council in the development of our international programme.

Jerry Richer, Assistant Headteacher

Photo above: Taking part in the Lyon 'Biennale de la Danse’