News-International success for County Durham primary school

Wingate Primary School has been awarded the prestigious International School Award by the British Council.

Adding an international dimension

Indie Arnett and Sienna Whiting with their own version of the Brandenburg Gate.

The award celebrates the achievements of schools that bring an international dimension into their curriculum, enabling young people to gain a cultural understanding and range of skills.

Pupils at Wingate Primary have worked alongside partner schools in Italy on a food and water waste project, discovered a love of similar hobbies with school children abroad, and helped to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Durham City.

They have also taken part in the North East Festival of Languages to celebrate the different cultures and languages represented across the region, and enjoyed a German language seminar in collaboration with Durham University.

Appetite for learning

Jackie Lombard, languages lead at Wingate Primary School, said: "I am so proud of our children and all they achieve. Whether it's trying new foods or working with each other to discover interesting facts about other countries and cultures, our pupils have such an appetite for learning and do so with great enthusiasm.

"It's wonderful to be able to offer such opportunities to our pupils. We hope this will inspire a love of languages and a greater understanding of different cultures and traditions, paving the way for them to be successful global citizens when they're older."

Cllr Ted Henderson,  Cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "We would like to offer huge congratulations to everyone at Wingate Primary School on their International School Award.

"It's so important that children learn about different countries and have the skills and awareness they need for a career in the global workplace. Being offered the opportunity to forge international friendships at such a young age is a fantastic starting point for our pupils and it is great to see how committed our schools are to fostering this love of learning."