The Alice Smith School was recently announced as WINNER of the International School Awards 2019  in the Pastoral Initiative category.

These much celebrated awards highlight best practice in a range of categories which include: learning and teaching, wellbeing, leadership, use of technology, pastoral initiatives, community impact, inclusion, pathway support, and international impact spearheaded by some of the best British schools and educators from around the world! Alice Smith School was shortlisted in two categories, learning and teaching and pastoral initiatives, winning the Pastoral Initiative category for its work on student led positive playtimes.

The initiative involved developing Year 6 leadership opportunities which empowered students to help to transform playtimes. By developing student leadership training in the following positions: Referees, Equipment Managers, Play Mentors, Monitors, Buddies and Helpers, the children became part of the success story. New resources were purchased to use within carefully delineated playground zones with students involved at every stage of the process.  Through student led assemblies and careful reviews of the implementation, our students feel happy and safe during positive playtimes.

Roger Schultz, Head of School, commented, “We have excellent pastoral care. Through the opportunities and guidance provided by our dedicated and caring teachers, our students  develop their individual strengths and abilities in a safe and supportive school environment. The student led positive playtimes programme reflects the contextual needs of our international school playtimes and shows us that we have a body of students that want to make a difference to their school.”

Tom Verity, Primary Principal said, “Listening to our students about their opinions and views and encouraging and supporting student leadership, are of paramount importance at the school. Having children closely involved in developing and looking after their playtime equipment and environment has further developed their sense of belonging, participation and respect for each other and adults.

Sharing knowledge and learning together as a community is a thriving aspect of the Alice Smith School culture. The International School Awards help to raise awareness of exceptional initiatives being successfully implemented in international schools and we are proud that Alice Smith School has been recognised for its contribution to high quality student care.

The Alice Smith School also recently achieved the Professional Development Quality Mark (PDQM) Gold Award, by the UCL Institute of Education. The PDQM was developed by experienced PD Leaders in partnership with specialists at the London Centre for Leadership in Learning to improve professional development practice in schools and educational settings across London, and beyond. We are proud to be the first international school to gain this quality mark and is now working towards Platinum level recognition.

Other notable achievements include being shortlisted for the TES International School of the Year Award in 2016, the British International School Awards (BISA) and Relocate Awards, both in 2018.