ISC Research, which provides data for the international schools market, has announced the winners of its International School Awards 2021.
The awards celebrate learning, teaching, community, wellbeing, leadership and strategic initiatives at international schools. This year’s awards attracted 264 nominations from 62 countries.
“This year, due to the impact of Covid-19 on schools throughout the world, many initiatives will have been developed to respond to the crisis. As a result, the judges will be looking for initiatives that show innovation and the potential for change through adversity,” said ISC Research.
Branksome Hall Asia, an independent school in South Korea won both the International School of the Year award and the Community Award.
Branksome Hall Asia is an international day and boarding school for girls located on the island of Jeju. It is the sister school of Branksome Hall Canada, an independent girls’ school in Toronto.
The International Baccalaureate World School says it is “committed to girls’ empowerment and helping students to shape a better world”.
The judging panel of 11 experienced international educators said: “Branksome Hall Asia has demonstrated well planned initiatives that have excellent intentions and truly impressive development which, as a result, are making a real impact for students and others.”
The school was recognised for a student-led initiative which resulted in designing and producing security necklaces for girls in vulnerable situations in Nepal, and for a research and mission-led strategic approach to its online learning.
Its Paradigm initiative saw former graduate Seung-eun Shin and her peers create a disaster research project in collaboration with the NGO Life World (or Life Nuri) for the victims of the Nepal earthquake.
They designed and produced an RF security necklace with a built-in torch, tracker and alarm for vulnerable young women in Nepal – 100 of which were sent to Nepal.
A live streaming of the International School Awards will be repeated at 18:00 GMT today (18 January) on Vimeo.
The winners
International Impact Award: The International School of Prague
Community Award: Branksome Hall Asia
Inclusion Award: Alice Smith School, Malaysia
Safeguarding Award: The English School, Kuwait
Teaching and Learning Award: Fairview International School, Malaysia
Digital Technology in Learning Award: Deira International School, UAE
Wellbeing Award: The International School Kuala Lumpur
Student Pathways to Continued & Higher Education Award: The British International School Abu Dhabi
Environmental Award: Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket, Sweden
Ethical Values Education Award: Dulwich College Singapore
Strategic Leadership Award: Nord Anglia International School, Hong Kong
Future-Thinking Innovators Award: The American Community School of Abu Dhabi
International School of the Year 2021 Award sponsored by Pearson: Branksome Hall Asia
