The 2024 International School Awards have taken a big step on the journey that many international schools are already taking. Changes will create more opportunities for international schools in different contexts to be celebrated.
Instead of isolated categories, all successful applications will be rooted around central pillars that support intercultural understanding, diversity, equity, inclusion and/or justice of students, and one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; pillars that are rooting many long-term school initiatives today. Applications will need to include evidence of how the school is sharing its initiative amongst the wider K-12 schools community; whether that is within the international school community, within a school locality, or broader.
One application per school will give every international school chance to shine a light on an initiative that is central to its improvement and that aligns with a vision and ethos that is essential for all international schools today.
Applications will be reviewed within tuition fee bands, in so doing, judging each school in line with the expectations and opportunities its budget allows.
Recognising that no two schools and initiatives are the same, all schools within each fee category that meet a strict judging threshold will win an International School Award and receive the International School Award winner badge to display on the school’s website, documents and social media.
“The award brings a positive influence on our brand recognition and community confidence. It gives every community member a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate, as well as reinforcing our educational ethos to the whole community,” said Cecilia Liang, Director of Communications at Dulwich College Beijing when the school received an International School Award in 2022.
ISC Research hopes that these changes to the International School Awards will help to highlight innovative initiatives happening across all international school types, regardless of their size or budgets. All successful initiatives will be publicly shared to support the global K-12 schools community.
Dr Helen Wright, an international education advisor and executive coach who is a member of the judging panel said, “The new approach to the International School Awards will open up many more opportunities for international schools to share initiatives of all types that are centred around important issues for all schools today.”
And Polly Akhurst, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Amala and another member of the judging panel said, “Changes to the International School Awards applications mean that initiatives can be judged more holistically and will allow for more international school initiatives to be recognised and celebrated.”
More details about the application requirements and process, and judging details for the 2024 International School Awards are now available. All international schools are encouraged to submit an application until Friday 7th July 2023. Schools receiving International School Awards will be announced and celebrated during the week of Monday 22nd January 2024.
