HTC celebrates British Council International School Award

At Horndean Technology College (HTC) everyone is welcome, from our more local student and staff body to visitors from the far side of the world. Global citizenship forms an essential part of the student learning experience at HTC as the College at Barton Cross continues to offer a curriculum which provides an invaluable insight into different cultures from across the world.
The Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Department, headed up by lead practitioner Andrea Landre, offers French and German subjects which may be studied at GCSE level, alongside extra-curricular enrichment classes in Spanish and overseas trips and visits. In recent years there has been an ongoing focus on developing international links with schools in both Germany and China and the working relationships which have developed from this has inspired the College to begin the challenging process of applying for the International Schools Award, which they achieved at ‘intermediate’ level in Summer 2026.
Working with international school visit organisers to ensure a warm welcome for students and overseas staff, is the responsibility of Deputy Headteacher Nigel Sheppard who has coordinated this specialist area of work for a number of years. He told us:
“It’s been brilliant to see our students interact and learn from students of different countries. For many, it has ‘opened their eyes’ to see that children from any part of the world are actually quite similar. It has helped to put away some myths and misunderstandings about ways of life and cultures from those who don’t live in the UK. For staff too it has been a liberating adventure to visit China, India, Germany and France to see how schools operate. We have all learned from these enriching experiences”.
The College regularly arranges trips into Europe to France, Germany and The Netherlands and in 2027 HTC will be taking a group to Sicily. Staff have travelled to experience education in both China and India returning with ideas and stories to help shape excellence in education practice in Horndean.
Collaborative practice can produce powerful results which happen when people from across the world are open minded and are prepared to work with and learn from each other. At HTC it is believed, ‘together, we are stronger’. On hearing the news that HTC had achieved the Intermediate level of the award, Headteacher Julie Summerfield said:
“I am delighted that HTC has received the International Schools Award. Exchanges and meeting students from other countries is so beneficial to the development of knowledge of other cultures, appreciating that other countries have much to offer and the world is out there to be explored. Friendships are created that can be global and long lasting. Above all, the perceptions that students have about countries from the media can change because of the positive experience and globalisation becomes a reality for the better”
Shannon West, Head of UK Schools for the British Council, said: “Horndean Technology College’s international work has earned the school well-deserved recognition with the British Council International School Award – Intermediate Certificate. International work is key support for developing skills young people need to be globally aware citizens of the future. Embedding an international ethos across a school can lead to International School Award Accreditation, the highest award level. Schools looking to join this supportive and engaging global network should contact us at the British Council”.
The Award is now available worldwide in countries such as Greece, India, and Nigeria. Over 6000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.
The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop:
• An international ethos embedded throughout the school
• A whole school approach to international work
• Collaborative curriculum-based work with international partner schools
• Year-round international activity
• Involvement of the wider community
She continued: “We are proud and delighted to work with this great school. Many thanks to everyone for all their commitment to developing international work and sharing excellent classroom practice and resources. This is enriching education for its pupils, and their excellent collaborative projects with partner schools overseas are bringing the world into their classrooms.”
This September, HTC opens its doors once again for its acclaimed Open Evening on Thursday 24 September between 6.00-8.30pm – all welcome, there is no need to book. With over 200 people already booked on to Open Morning Tours this Autumn, prospective families should not miss this important additional opportunity to experience all that HTC has to offer.
> Photo: Subject Leader for MFL Andrea Landre (Front Left) and Headteacher Julie Summerfield (Front Right) proudly hold the newly awarded accreditation with HTC students.

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