BRITISH COUNCIL: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARD
We are very excited to officially announce that The Hundred of Hoo Academy has been awarded the International School Award (Full Accreditation) 2023-2026.
The Hundred of Hoo Academy has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom through the outstanding development of the international dimension in the curriculum.
The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world.
The Hundred of Hoo Academy was successful in gaining the prestigious full award as we demonstrated evidence of meeting the following criteria:
- working with international partners on a range of projects throughout the academic year
- embedding an international ethos and work across the whole school
- sharing educational practice with partners in other countries and implementing change across the school.
The Hundred of Hoo Academy was also successful because it was able to clearly demonstrate its commitment to international education throughout the entire school. This involved clear plans of activity and impact assessments to develop the quality of both international education and the educational mindedness of its students.
On 15 January 2024, The Hundred of Hoo Academy and Leigh Academies Trust Principal, Carl Guerin-Hassett, was invited to the prestigious Houses of Parliament to receive the Full International School Award from the CEO of the British Council. The award was presented to the academy for a commitment to supporting peace and prosperity through building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
The event hosted many dignitaries, including MPs and other award winners from across the UK. Kelly Tolhurst (MP), said: “Teachers have a huge impact on our children’s futures and so it it fantastic to see the hard work at Hundred of Hoo Academy being recognised today”
Mr Guerin-Hassett reported:
“It is with great pride and privilege that I accept the International School Award on behalf of the students and staff at The Hundred of Hoo Academy. This award is a symbol of our continuous drive to expose our students to global opportunities and develop a deep understanding of different cultures. As an IB World School, we are committed to a philosophy that underpins better learners for a better world. I want to thank all those within our community who have contributed towards the Award.”
The International School Award Team of the British Council said: “The school has been recommended for the Full Award and has clearly listed activities in addition to those completed during the project. They have met the criteria for collaboration and activities involving a high percentage of pupils. They have also included language-based activities. Whilst it is not possible to give such a full account of activities as it would be in a standalone ISA evaluation, there is sufficient evidence to make these recommendations.”
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BUREAU: WELLBEING AWARD FOR SCHOOLS
In July 2023, The Hundred of Hoo Academy is proud of its work we do to support students, staff and our parents/carers in promoting better mental health and emotional wellbeing across the whole school.
achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS). This award will remain valid for the next three years. Developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), the WAS has helped us prepare and equip ourselves to promote emotional wellbeing and positive mental health across the whole-school community.
Both the National Children’s Bureau and The Hundred of Hoo Academy share the vision that we have an education system where good emotional wellbeing and mental health are at the heart of the culture and ethos of our schools, so that pupils, with the support of their teachers, can build confidence and flourish.
The WAS has been a welcome opportunity to recognise the exceptional work that we do in this area. The key features of a whole-school approach form the basis of the award, and it provides schools with a benchmark of best practice against which to test itself.
About the Award
There are eight objectives to achieve within the Well-being Award Framework, containing several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set out within each. The award focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional well-being and mental health of both staff and pupils. The award will enable us to develop these practices where necessary and help us to ensure that well-being is embedded in the long-term culture of our school. It will help us to create an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.
With this award, we will demonstrate our commitment to:
- Promoting mental health as part of everyday school life
- Improving the emotional well-being of our staff and pupils
- Ensuring mental health problems are identified early and appropriate support provided
- Offering provision and interventions that matches the needs of our pupils and staff
- Promoting the importance of mental health awareness
- Capturing the views of parents, pupils and teachers on mental health issues
The award was led by Mr Webb who is our Director of SEND and Inclusion, Mrs Johnson the Mental Health Lead and a “Change Team” that consists of teachers, parents, pupils and governors. The change team continues to meet on a regular basis to push the wellbeing agenda forward for all stakeholders within the school.