Lemington Riverside Primary School

International Schools #WeAreGlobal

At Lemington Riverside, we believe that our children are citizens of the world. Our core value, "We Are Global," drives us to look beyond Newcastle and the North East, fostering a deep curiosity and respect for different cultures, languages, and perspectives.

We are proud to be working towards the British Council International Schools Award, a recognition of our commitment to embedding international learning into our curriculum and building meaningful global partnerships.

Our Partner School: Boudonville Elementary, Nancy

Our flagship partnership is with Boudonville Elementary School in Nancy, France. As Nancy is Newcastle’s twin city, this link is a special opportunity for our children to connect with peers who share a similar industrial heritage but a different language and culture.

Through letters, video calls, and shared projects, our pupils learn that despite the distance, they share many of the same interests, dreams, and values as their French friends.

The Year 6 Residential to France

The highlight of our international calendar is the annual Year 6 Residential visit to Nancy. Thanks to successful funding from the Turing Scheme, we are able to offer this life-changing 5-day experience to our children, ensuring that travel and cultural exploration are accessible to all.

During this action-packed week, our children travel by train and Eurostar to Paris and then on to Nancy. The itinerary is designed to be immersive and educational, including:

  • Collaborative Learning: Children work alongside their Boudonville pen-pals at the University of Lorraine, taking part in bilingual art and culture workshops led by university staff and students.

  • Creative Arts: We celebrate our friendship through music and dance, with pupils joining forces for a shared carnival performance and school fayre in Nancy.

  • Sport & Teamwork: Our "Mini Olympics" event brings students from both schools together to compete in mixed teams, promoting sportsmanship and communication that transcends language barriers.

  • Cultural Discovery: From touring the Eiffel Tower in Paris to exploring the historic streets of Nancy (and tasting local treats!), our children get a true taste of life in France.

Bringing the World to Lemington

Our international work extends far beyond a single trip. We bring global learning into our classrooms every day:

  • Languages: French is our core taught language, but we also offer exciting taster sessions in Mandarin for Years 3 and 4 to broaden linguistic horizons.

  • Creative Projects: Our younger children in EYFS explore language through fun, interactive French puppet shows, while Key Stage 1 children participate in the North East Festival of Languages, performing songs that celebrate global unity.

  • Global Curriculum: Across History, Geography, and PSHE, we embed global themes that challenge our children to think critically about the world and their place in it.

We Are Global Showcase

Each year, we celebrate our international journey with a whole-school "We Are Global" showcase. This event brings our community together to share the art, music, language skills, and stories that our children have developed, celebrating the diversity that makes our school—and our world—so unique.

↑