Primary keeps its status with top award

A Perthshire school has been reaccredited with the prestigious International School Award.

Muthill Primary has received the British Council award in recognition of its work in educating pupils on global issues.

Staff and pupils at the school near Crieff were delighted it has retained its full status.

The award recognises the Perthshire school’s “exceptional work in international education”.

Muthill Primary has been linked with several international schools but has formed particularly strong connections with the Juliet Johnson School in Ghana.

Principal teacher Keri Reid said: “We were delighted to retain our Full International Schools status, having been an international school since 2012.

“Our main international partnership link is with the Juliet Johnston School in Ghana but we have worked with schools in France, Japan and the USA too. Most of our partnership work focuses on sustainability issues, like climate change.

“Working through an international context can broaden and deepen our pupils’ learning experiences.

“It encourages them to think critically and creatively about reallife issues, at both a local and global level, and to take action. ”

The Perthshire school’s partnership with the school in Ghana saw three teachers from the Tafo school visit last March – just before the start of lockdown.

Mrs Reid said: “They came here just before the pandemic and made it home just in the nick of time.”

The partnership has lasted around 15 to 20 years, exchanging teaching and learning ideas.