A SCHOOL is ensuring that for its young people the world really is an oyster.

Bolton School boys' division has received the British Council International School Award at foundation level recognising its work to prepare pupils for the international stage by promoting their understanding of global affairs throughout the curriculum ­— and equipping them with the skills they need to collaborate with their peers across the world, now and after their education.

Carl Robson, Bolton School Boys’ Division Head of Modern Foreign Languages, said: ‘Bolton School boys’ division has a long and proud tradition in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) offering French, German, Russian, Spanish and Mandarin.

"We have a large department of eleven full time and two part-time colleagues teaching their subject specialisms to A level and beyond. We have many students go on to study languages at university and are celebrating our latest Oxbridge success with Jack Danson being offered a place to read French and German at Oxford.

"Over the years we have achieved national recognition in the Spelling Bee Competition, in the North Schools’ MFL Debating Competition and in essay writing competitions.

"We have been a hub for the National School-Centred Initial Teacher Training programme offering teaching opportunities to trainee MFL teachers in partnership with local schools.

"We offer trips to Paris, to the Rheinland, to Northern Spain and to Russia as part of our Trips and Visits programme.

"The school has partnerships with schools in France, Germany and Russia. We employ language assistants through the British Council annually and give native speakers in French, German and Spanish speaking countries the opportunity to spend a year in the UK in high quality school accommodation. In recent years, we have welcomed Spanish assistants from Colombia and Murcia, French assistants from Normandy and the Vendée region and a German assistant from Austria. These opportunities really benefit our students too.

"There has never been a more important time to promote the joys and benefits of learning living languages post-Brexit. We are delighted that the British Council wish to recognise our place in supporting language teaching in the UK."

The programme and introduction of "internationalism" in school is designed to offer pupils increased awareness of other countries, cultures and languages as well as the confidence and skills to live and work in a global society.