On Tuesday 3^rd October, Kingsford Community School was proud to host the annual conference of the Global Schools Alliance. Leaders of schools and organisations from all over the world attended and were thoroughly impressed by the warm international they received from our Kingsford pupils.  

The theme of the conference was "The Power of Partnership", with speakers exploring the life-changing impact that partnerships between international schools in different countries can have in classrooms across the world. The conference was led by former Kingsford governor and Global Schools Community and Partnerships ManagerJohn Rolfe MBE, who spoke highly of Kingsford's exemplary work as "one of the best schools in this country, that brings the world into its classrooms everyday." At the end of the conference, he praised Kingsford's outstanding international teaching and learning, awarding the school with a certificate to much applause.

Our Head Teacher Ms Deslandes inspired leaders of other schools by speaking about the ways in which an international education has a positive impact on the lives of young people in Newham.  "It is Kingsford's ambition to instil a global dimension into every aspect of the curriculum and learning experience of our young people...Kingsford pupils are encouraged to think outside the walls of their community to aim and attain high, and to be socially and internationally conscious.", she said.

Other speakers included Rev. Dr. Eric Annan, Head of Grace International School in Ghana, and Mr Rob Ford, Director of Heritage International School in Moldova. They were joined by keynote speaker Lord Jim Knight, Baron Knight of Weymouth, who is a Labour member of House of Lords and has recently taken over as the Chair of COBIS (Council of British International Schools.) 

Lord Knight is well known throughout the world as a distinguished educational leader. He is a regular speaker and facilitator of events in the UK and internationally, with a strong interest in education and digital technology. He was very much impressed by the Kingsford global ambassadors who greeted him. He spoke about the important roles that schools like Kingsford play in preparing global citizens to make a positive difference in tomorrow's world and today's.

"Our world needs schools to be beacons of hope, to work in partnership and ‘look after’ each other, and to empower the young to feel hope that leads to action," he said.

Kingsford Community School is proud to a beacon of hope for young people in Newham, and for other schools around the world. Offering an international education opens doors for young people, creates greater social mobility, and changes the landscape of the future. Partnership and international mindedness are central to all that Kingsford is and achieves. We were delighted to be able to celebrate the power of these two values with other schools and leaders from across the globe at the Global School Alliance conference.