International School Aberdeen - what does it mean?
Most schools are named after a place or a person - an Albyn’s or a Robert Gordon’s. ISA hasn’t entirely abandoned that tradition; our ‘A’ is for Aberdeen. But our name is mainly a description - the ‘I’ for International.
Perhaps because it is around us all the time, it’s easy to glaze over and not really see the name, certainly not to think about it. On our in-service day last week, we took the time to stand and stare: to think deeply, what does it mean, not just to be an international school, but to have it as the first word of our name.
Originally we were the American school, which meant an American school with American teachers for American students. In the 90s we became the international school. But it makes no sense to say we now have international teachers for international students; in a way everyone is international. To the extent international means expatriate - a holder of a foreign passport - that has become increasingly untrue as well. We are now 50% British citizens. And quite rightly, our education is relevant to everyone, regardless of background.
Rather, international is a description of what we do, of what we are trying to achieve. We are what say we are on the tin. Of course it helps to delve a little deeper to understand what that really means. Our mission statement expects our students to become “socially responsible, active global citizens.” What this means is further clarified in our statement of internationalism.
Words matter, public declarations more so. This commitment to global citizenship, signposted in our name and explored in our guiding statements, sets us apart. Here is a more typical mission statement - it is from the English national school where I started my teaching career: They aim to “develop a learning community in pursuit of excellence” That’s worthy and something ISA would agree with - “excellence in education” is the start of our mission statement. But for us, it is not enough. It is just the start.
We have an explicit commitment to the development of students beyond the purely academic. While we recognise the central importance of doing well in school subjects, ultimately this achievement must have a purpose in the kind of person students become.
As teachers, this commitment must mean something in our curriculum; in the way that we teach. A way that encourages the qualities that will make good citizens - giving room for student voice; creating a space for students to become aware of who they are and their assumptions, to listen and engage with others; to learn about and from others.
There isn’t a special class for this - a global citizenship curriculum - it is not consigned to an after school activity - like an environment club. It should run through everything we do. That is why last Thursday, teachers spent time carefully looking at our curriculums. Not just what we teach, but how we teach because International School Aberdeen isn’t just a name; it is a statement of intent.
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