International Dimension

Walkwood has enjoyed long established links with schools in Hungary, Italy and Finland. Each year, pupils from 2 Szamu Altalanos Iskola in Bekescsaba, Hungary and English International School in Padova, Italy visit us here in Redditch, U.K.

Walkwood pupils have the opportunity to stay with a host family in Hungary or Italy, where they immersed in a foreign culture and language. Over the years, pupils have gained immensely from these visits.

“We all enjoyed experiencing a Hungarian lifestyle although there were a few tears along the way as we all missed our families … But at the end of the week we loved the experience and will remember it for a long time.”

Walkwood’s most recent addition to our International Dimension is our French partner school, Collège Saint-Exupéry, Avize, Reims in France. Some of our Year 8 pupils have researched Collège Saint-Exupéry and the region where the school is situated and presented their findings in assembly. Pupils have also created and sent a PowerPoint about Walkwood School to the children in France who are using it as a language tool and to learn about British culture.

We hope to set up a French exchange during the next academic year so that our pupils will have the opportunity to practise their French language skills and see first hand what French culture is like.

Mr Doubtfire has been setting up a “British Council Multilateral Comenius” project where schools from Denmark and Turkey are involved.

Walkwood is working towards achieving an International School Award (ISA) accreditation. This should empower our pupils with the necessary tools to become global citizens. We hope that international engagement will benefit the whole school community.