Leigh Academy Wilmington has been awarded the British Council’s International School Award.
The prize celebrates schools that excel in global education and incorporate an international perspective into their teaching and curriculum.
The school’s international activities include a digital exchange programme with students in India, French and Colombian pen-pal schemes, the ‘Made in Japan’ cultural project, the ‘War for Water’ environmental study, and its Ambassadors’ event held in July 2025.
Michael Gore, principal of Leigh Academy Wilmington, said: “We are immensely proud to receive this prestigious recognition.
“At Leigh Academy Wilmington, we strive to provide an education that transcends borders, equipping our students with the empathy and global perspective required for the modern world. This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff in embedding an international ethos into every aspect of our learning.”
The 2026 awards ceremony was held in Westminster on February 2 and was attended by Members of Parliament and representatives from schools around the UK.
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Scott McDonald, chief executive of the British Council, said: “The school has earned this prestigious award through its inspirational international work and links with schools abroad. The International School Award is a chance for schools to be recognised for their important work bringing the world into their classrooms.
“By embedding an international dimension in children’s education, these schools are preparing their students for successful lives in the UK or further afield, empowering them to be global citizens, and are creating vital opportunities in an increasingly global economy.”
The International School Award has been given to more than 6,000 schools in the UK since the scheme launched in 1999. It encourages schools to develop a whole-school approach to global learning, including curriculum-based collaboration with partner schools, year-round international activities, and wider community involvement.
The British Council emphasises the importance of equipping young people with the cultural understanding and skills needed to thrive in a connected world.
