International School Status

We are proud that the British Council has awarded us the prestigious International School Award for the last decade.

In order to achieve this award, we must show that we provide activities involving schools abroad, curriculum activities and language learning opportunities.

Turing Scheme Projects

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global program to study and work abroad. The scheme provides funding for international opportunities in education.
We are pleased that for the past 2 years; we have managed successfully to secure over £75,000 of funding spent on student trips to France and Spain.
Over the past years, we have built strong partnerships with schools in France and in Spain and our students have built relationships with international peers and gained fresh ideas.
The Turing funding allows the MFL department to provide students with the chance to develop new skills, gain vital international experience and boost their employability. They can also develop a wide range of soft skills, language skills and a better understanding of other cultures.
The students in Year 10 classes, who study French or Spanish, have the chance to be part of the exciting Turing project. They have the opportunity to spend 4 to 5 days in Paris or Madrid.
Our current project is based on the education of our students on the global environmental challenges the world is facing and we are looking at green issues and sustainability.
Contact Mrs Karaoba (dka@tmore.org.uk) or Mrs Cheeseman (tch@tmore.org.uk) for more details!

Other International Trips

Each school year we run the following trips to France and Spain:
•    A day trip to Lille Christmas Market (Autumn Term)
•    A day trip to Normandie (Summer Term)
•    A day trip to Paris (Summer or Autumn Term)
•    4/5 days in Paris with the Turing Scheme
•    4/5 days in Madrid with the Turing Scheme

International Curriculum and Immersive Experiences

Pupils at Thomas More enjoy many curriculum opportunities where the international dimension is the focus.
Each year, Thomas More hosts a day of International Experiences.  The school celebrates its multicultural diversity with cuisine, language and customs representing the countries of its pupils.

Visit by Lyceum Elst school from Croydon’s twin town, Arnhem in The Netherlands.
Each year around 80 Dutch pupils spend a day with us after preparing a project about our similarities and differences.  During the day we tour the school with our guests, working together on a shared project in Music, Art, Drama, and PE.  Afterwards, pupils enjoy their lunch together and there is usually an impromptu international football match at break time!

Impact on pupils

We are passionate at Thomas More about being able to provide opportunities for our pupils to increase their understanding of other countries and their cultures.  We know that the impact on pupils in the past has been huge.  Not only do pupils at Thomas More have the opportunity to practise their language skills abroad with a preparation course beforehand but also to experience the culture they are studying.  
Our pupils are able to meet and work with other young learners on ongoing projects with our partner schools, which prepares them for working with different people in their future working lives. They also have many opportunities to visit European countries and practise language skills, make new friends and develop new skills.  We believe this develops confidence in our pupils to navigate in different places both physically and emotionally.  
Our pupils learn independence and to value others and their different contributions.  They also learn solid skills such as entrepreneurial skills, Art techniques, using IT to communicate ideas and using social media to stay in contact and make friends.  
Also, through our curriculum, pupils learn how to appreciate the standard of living they enjoy compared to so many in the world who live in poverty.  They learn that they can influence outcomes for other people through charity work and that we are all part of a global community where language and being able to deal with people from different backgrounds is paramount to the success of working with others.

Impact on staff

The impact our international program has on the staff at Thomas More is also enormous.  A huge amount of work goes into organising events and numerous trips we take during the school year and we ensure a dedication to pupils having opportunities irrespective of their social or financial background.  
As well as hard work, staff, of course, get to enjoy greatly the professional challenges of working together on our international yearly immersion activities. Staff involved can make friends with colleagues from all around Europe.
Through international work, teachers have reported higher pupil engagement in lessons and therefore more enjoyment in teaching for them, particularly in subjects like Geography, History, Business Studies and English.  
Staff are proud to be a part of a school that is outward-looking and able to prepare pupils for an ever-changing world, where ability and experience in dealing with people from different cultures gives one an edge.  
One of the most interesting aspects of international work is the sheer variety of opportunities for teachers to try something different with a range of professionals, which helps to create an environment of value and well-being.

Mrs Karaoba:  International Co-Ordinator
Mrs Cheeseman:  School Trip Co-Ordinator