The headline prize was awarded in addition to the 12 category winners at the organisation’s International School Awards, selected from more than 260 school nominations from 48 countries.

Among other winners were the International School of Kenya, Nairobi, Rugby School Thailand, Chonburi and Nord Anglia International School Dubai, UAE.

The awards aim to recognise the best initiatives at international schools around the world, said ISC Research CEO Leigh Webb.

“The range of schools participating, the breadth of initiatives submitted, and the quality of practice being delivered within the international schools community today is inspiring,” he told attendees at the online event.

International School of Kenya, Nairobi was recognised in the Community Building Award for a student-run social enterprise promoting grassroots plastic recycling, Rugby School Thailand won the Community Wellbeing Award for its online forum connecting parent and the wider school community.

A robotics program on the human body at Colombia’s Colegio Panamericano was awarded best for Digital Technology in Learning, while Nord Anglia International School Dubai was recognised in the Innovation and Creativity in Learning category.

The Ethical Values Education Award went to Berlin Brandenburg International School, Germany for its ethics initiative for primary years, while the Harbour School, Hong Kong was award in the Teaching and Learning category.

Winners from South East Asia included Marlborough College Malaysia, Iskandar Puteri in the Strategic Leadership category, Brighton College Bangkok, Thailand won the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Award and International School Ho Chi Minh City – American Academy in Vietnam won the Safeguarding Award.

Dulwich College Beijing, China won the Pathways to Continued and University Education Award for its student-led career pathway initiative.

“None of this happens in isolation”

The ISZL was also recognised in the Environment Award and the International Impact Award categories, for its sustainable food aquaponics program in Ghana and a Global Changemakers initiative supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“None of this happens in isolation, [it’s] through the work of our students who are leading this really critical work, in collaboration with our parents as partners and all of our incredible staff,” ISZL director, Barry Dequanne, said.

Special recognition was also made for three schools: Still I Rise School, Mathare; Al Bayan International School, Kuwait; and European Azerbaijan School.

Branksome Hall Asia in South Korea was awarded the top gong in the 2021 iteration of the ceremony.