A HOST of Enfield schools will interact with pupils across the world after gained a prestigious international award.

Thirteen schools were recently awarded International School status by the British Council, raising the number in the borough to 27.

The award recognises pupil and staff dedication to building links with schools around the globe, and helps them to organise more foreign visits, exchange trips, and to share information and learning materials.

Councillor Ayfer Orhan, who is in charge of education at Enfield Council, welcomed the award as a further sign of the borough's status as a UK leader in developing international learning.

He said: “We believe that this education is vital in helping our children understand a changing world by respecting the values and traditions of people from many nations.

“It gives them all a valuable insight and helps to promote good relations between diverse communities in the borough.”

Schools across Enfield already teach languages from the age of seven, and many of them have existing links with schools as far away as Hong Kong, China, and South Africa.

The schools that have now achieved the status are: Bowes, Galliard, Alma, Fleecefield, George Spicer, Grange Park, St George’s RC, Walker, Prince of Wales, Tottenhall Infants, Broomfield, Highlands and St Anne’s.