A Lowestoft primary school has been awarded a prestigious award in recognition of its work in international education.

Pakefield Primary School has been awarded the British Council's prestigious International School Award for its work in bringing the world into the classroom.

The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education, such as building links with partner schools overseas.

Martyn Payne, headteacher at Pakefield Primary School, said: 'I am delighted that the school has received this award.

'As well as providing experiences for the children in our local community, staff have worked hard to enable children to connect to others from around the world, and we have successfully managed to do this in many different ways. I would like to say thank you to the children, staff and international colleagues for their hard work.'

The school's international work includes working in partnership with a number of schools both locally and internationally in countries such as France, India and Uganda.

Projects vary but the over-riding aim is for them to be meaningful to all the children and to promote a view of themselves as global citizens.

One of the projects involved working with Lowestoft photographer, Julian Claxton, to share a day in the children's life with their peers in Uganda as well as producing a book to record this.

Pupils also write termly to pen-friends at a school in the Loire in France and have completed several projects with a linked school in Kanpur, in India, and teachers from the school in Kanpur have visited Pakefield Primary School twice.

John Rolfe, from the British Council, added: 'The school's fantastic international work has rightfully earned it this prestigious award.

'The International School Award is a great chance for schools to demonstrate the important work they're doing to bring the world into their classrooms.

'Adding an international dimension to children's education ensures that they are truly global citizens and helps prepare them for successful future careers in an increasingly global economy.'

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