A WORCESTER primary is celebrating after gaining an International School Award.

St Clements CE Primary School, in St John's, was granted the award by the Central Bureau at the British Council, for international work undertaken during the past academic year.

St Clements has formed links with schools in Finland and the Netherlands during recent years, and, most recently, with schools in the Republic of Ireland.

The International School Award is given to schools which have shown structured international education within lessons.

"It's brilliant news. Everyone has worked really hard," said headteacher Maggie Goodwin.

"It was a long process of planning, doing the work and evaluating it.

"We've built an international dimension into mainstream curriculum.

"For example, they may study Finland for their geography work, or look at the currency in numeracy.

"It's great for the children to understand other people's cultures, having respect and breaking down barriers."

The process of gaining the award is long and drawn out, with staff first having to plan what they would teach pupils. This has to be approved before they can start teaching.

"Schools submit a range of work to show what pupils are learning," said Andy Tuff, of the Central Bureau, which administers the UK side of a wide range of international education and training exchange programmes.

"The school has to evaluate the work and see what benefits the children are getting from it.

"The award means that the Central Bureau has recognised that this school is doing a lot of international work."

In total, 53 schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been recognised for the award this year, and St Clements is the only school in Worcestershire to win one.

The school can now use the logo on its stationery and in school literature.

"The children have really enjoyed the international work so far," said Mrs Goodwin.

"They loved it when teachers from Finnish schools visited and the children in Finland also enjoy the links.

"The international work is very much part of the curriculum, right from nursery to Year 6."