Connah’s Quay High School is a vibrant, inclusive secondary school located in North Wales. Our vision of Creating Success is underpinned by our core values of Aspiration, Responsibility, and Care. We are committed to supporting every learner to reach their full potential—academically, socially, and morally—while preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape. Our curriculum is guided by the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, with a strong focus on developing ethical, informed citizens who are ready to play a full part in life and work.
Inspired by the World’s Largest Lesson at the Global School Alliance’s 5th Anniversary Conference in London, we have begun embedding the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across our curriculum and extracurricular provision, using them as a foundation to nurture globally conscious learners.
Real-word learning through global partnerships
Our international partnerships began through our involvement with the Global School Alliance, which has played a crucial role in connecting us with like-minded schools around the world. We are currently developing partnerships with Takamoridai School in Japan and Westminster School in Argentina. These relationships have grown through regular virtual meetings, shared projects, and ongoing cultural exchange initiatives.
Our International Club, a learner-led group focused on global citizenship, has taken the lead in building these connections. Members of the club have worked collaboratively with their international peers on initiatives such as the design and development of our Eco Garden, which incorporates elements inspired by both Japanese and Argentinian cultures. This summer, learners from the club will visit Takamoridai in Japan, with a trip to Argentina planned for the following year.
Our learners have gained a greater understanding of global issues, cultures, and the role they can play in creating a sustainable future. The International Club recently conducted a whole-school audit to identify where the SDGs are already present in our curriculum and where gaps exist. This has informed our next steps for further embedding global themes across subject areas. The partnership has encouraged learners to take ownership of their international learning journey, engage in collaborative problem-solving, and lead meaningful projects. For example, the Eco Garden project not only brings global cultures together but also aligns with several SDGs, including Climate Action, Life on Land, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. These experiences have boosted learners’ confidence, empathy, and sense of global responsibility.
Staff across several departments—including Humanities, Science, Maths, and Technology—are now exploring how to incorporate the SDGs more deeply into teaching and learning. These collaborations have encouraged cross-curricular planning and innovative approaches to curriculum design. Our involvement with the Global School Alliance has also provided valuable professional development opportunities, including conferences and training on global learning and sustainability education. These experiences are helping our staff to feel more confident in teaching global competencies and in fostering international-mindedness among learners. Moreover, the wider school community, including parents and local organisations, has shown growing interest in our international work, particularly in the lead-up to the overseas visits. We hope to develop community projects in the next academic year.
Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our learner-led approach to the SDGs through an extracurricular campaign where learners can earn badges for contributing to each of the 17 goals. We hope to extend this initiative across our partner schools, creating a shared framework for global citizenship and sustainability. We also plan to co-develop thematic learning projects with our partners, linking topics such as climate change, social justice, and global health to real-world action. Long-term, we envision a network of global schools working together on sustained, impactful initiatives that not only enrich learners’ education but also contribute to a better world.
