"An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the country the school is located in“, — Wikipedia.

In order to be considered an actual international school, it is widely agreed that a school generally follows a national or international curriculum different from that of the host country. Additionally, an emphasis is placed on international education and programmes embracing global citizenship. Coupled with this notion is effective schools, which can be defined as „those that successfully progress the learning and development of all of their students, regardless of intake characteristics, beyond the normal development curve“. It means good schools have demonstrably high expectations of all their students.

International education is often described in practical terms: the education young people need to be effective and successful in the modern world. Students need to develop the skills and learning habits needed to be lifelong learners, adaptable in a world of increasing uncertainty. These skills include what are often described as 21st century competencies, including creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, information literacy, multilingualism, and being able to understand and work with different cultures. Leaders in schools ensure these learning environments are built upon the organizational aspects of effective schools, to ensure the best possible educational.

Parents should be focused upon the benefits of global perspectives and international education. Proponents of this type of experience suggest international education is a passport to opportunities, giving students the choice of studying and working at home and abroad, deepening their life experiences. Other interpretations of international education emphasise universal human values and the critical role education can play in developing international understanding, and economic and environmental sustainability.

International education carries a sense of building a school around international standards, global approaches and best practice. But we need to interpret this sensitively. Effective internationally minded schools understand that the education they provide should be deeply rooted in local context and culture- recognize it, embrace it and extend it.

Schools that promote international education responsibly encourage students to develop their sense of identity as the basis from which to explore similarity as well as to understand and celebrate global diversity and international understanding.

We live in one world. What we do affects others, and what others do affects us, as never before. To recognize that we are all members of a world community and that we all have responsibilities to each other is not romantic rhetoric but modern economic and social reality.

Putting the World into World-class Education, DFES

We want students to develop key concepts: deep subject knowledge, conceptual understanding and higher order thinking skills, emotional intelligence, character and values, ready for the one world global context of 21st century thinking, and living in peace and harmony.

Paul Grisewood