Categories ranged from school wellbeing and safeguarding to supporting students’ pathways to higher education to digital technology in learning to ethical values education, with Nord Anglia’s St Andrews International School Bangkok (Primary School), Thailand, being named the International School of the Year 2020.

“There are some quite exceptional international schools implementing truly outstanding initiatives”

The awards received 255 eligible nominations from international schools in 40 different countries.

“There are some quite exceptional international schools implementing truly outstanding initiatives,” said CEO of ISC Research, Leigh Webb.

“All initiatives have to demonstrate to judges evidence of strategies that enable the initiative to be shared with other schools. Many congratulations to St Andrews International School Bangkok for its superb success this year, and to all the award winners.”

St Andrews took home the top gong for its environmental initiative which brings about “collective and sustainable change through action plans led by students that address a range of environmental challenges”.

The initiative has now grown beyond the school, and now includes 17 local schools and 14 local sustainability organisations.

The school’s principal, Paul Schofield, was “delighted” that the hard work and dedication of everyone at the school had been recognised.

“Being named as International School of the Year is a huge achievement and testament to our school community. We take huge pride in encouraging all our students to be global citizens and empower them to make meaningful change,” he said.

Other award winners included Atlanta International for its student-led #MyFreedomDay campaign raising awareness of human trafficking, while New Cairo British International School in Egypt won the pastoral award for a daily emoji check-in system for all children.

Branksome Hall Asia in South Korea’s initiative involving remote collaboration between students in South Korea and its sister school in Canada was honoured. The project aims to solve problems related to the environment and its social and economic impact.

From UAE, Raha International’s night school program for students and parents providing information on universities and application procedures in over 40 countries won the award for the best initiative to support students’ pathways to higher education.

The full list of winners:

• The International School of the Year 2020: St Andrews International Bangkok (Primary School), Thailand
• Digital Technology in Learning Award: ACS International Schools Surrey, UK
• Ethical Values Education Award: British Embassy School Ankara, Turkey
• Community Award: The British International School Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Inclusion Award: International Community School Amman, Jordan
• Teaching and Learning Award: Qatar Academy for Science and Technology
• International Award: Atlanta International, US
• Pastoral Award: New Cairo British International, Egypt
• Support Students as Future-thinking Innovators Award: Branksome Hall Asia in South Korea
• Strategic Leadership Award: Nanjing International, China
• Best Initiative to Support Students’ Pathways to Higher Education: Raha International, UAE
• School Wellbeing and Safeguarding Award: Dubai College, UAE
• Best Environmental Initiative Award: St Andrews International Bangkok (Primary School)