International School Award

We are delighted to have been successfully re-accredited our ‘international school’ status  - further cementing our work in this area since 2020.

The comments on our application were wonderful to read:

“Congratulations on your school's accreditation or reaccreditation with the International School Award 2026 – 2029. This accomplishment reflects your entire school's dedication to integrating a diverse and imaginative array of international initiatives. Your remarkable achievement in the International School Award deserves widespread recognition and celebration; The impact on your pupils is clear – “unforgettable” is a great accolade. More concretely, the expansion in the numbers studying MFL is indeed something to celebrate”

Folkestone Girls has a proud and growing history of international engagement. First awarded international status in 2020, the school has since embedded its global partnerships to create even stronger connections. Over the past few years, we have undertaken successful exchange opportunities, including both teacher and student visits to partner schools in France, and now offering international work experience to sixth-form language students – both in France and Spain. We've also had the privilege of welcoming teachers from our partner in Nepal, further enriching our cultural understanding and collaborative practice – so for example our Year 7 Listening Project on the theme of childhood was replicated in Nepal and students were surprised to see that despite the many differences between the countries and cultures, actually what matters most to us all was the same; our families, friends, pets etc.

Our international focus has continued to evolve, becoming firmly curriculum driven but with additional school opportunities. All Year 9 students now study a compulsory international curriculum designed to develop global awareness – on hot topics such as migration, misinformation, climate change……, while every Year 8 student participates in the Language Ambassadors scheme, promoting linguistic confidence and cultural curiosity. Pen-pal programmes have also been established, linking Year 10 MFL students and Year 7 and 8 English students with peers abroad to encourage authentic communication and broaden their worldview. International education forms a central part of our school ethos and plays a key role in informing strategic decisions. Our initiatives continue to prepare students to thrive as confident, informed and globally minded young citizens.

Thanks must go to Mrs Dale who not only led the reaccreditation submission but leads our international school work and ambitions!