01.10.25
Last week, the Global School Alliance proudly welcomed educators, school leaders and international delegates from across the world to its Annual Conference, hosted in the vibrant and historic city of Liverpool. The event brought together passionate professionals united by one shared mission: to reimagine education through the lens of global citizenship.
To formally welcome attendees to the city, we were honoured to hear from Gary Millar, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool and a champion of international cooperation. His powerful words reflected the heart of our work: building meaningful connections through global collaboration and shared learning.
A central feature of this year’s conference was the launch of the GSA ACTIVE Framework – a practical, whole-school model designed to embed global citizenship in a structured, measurable and sustainable way. This cyclical framework provides a roadmap for schools to move from isolated activities to a fully embedded culture of global learning, supporting them at every stage of the journey.
A Showcase of Global Learning in Action
The afternoon featured an inspiring programme of presentations, with each speaker offering a unique perspective on how global education can be embedded
David Lowbridge-Ellis MBE and Felicity Callanan from Matrix Academy Trust opened with a trust-wide perspective. Their approach is rooted in the belief that “everything we do in our schools is to make sure our children have a global outlook.” From building resilience to creating “positive memories,” they emphasised that global learning isn’t an add-on – it’s a mindset embedded throughout their schools.
A key part of their strategy is ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to explore the world beyond their immediate communities. These trips expose pupils to new cultures and perspectives, helping them build resilience, deepen global understanding, and grow into compassionate, informed citizens.
Georgina Rowlands, Vice Principal at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, demonstrated that the “power lies in simplicity” when it comes to digital collaborations. Her session, Windows to the World: Connecting Classrooms Through Digital Collaborations, highlighted how international partnerships – including a sister school in Peru – can bring learning to life. “These projects embed a global lens into every lesson,” she explained, adding that they give students “the hook” to stay engaged and motivated. The impact has been profound, with students “buzzing with questions” and staff finding new inspiration to embed global themes into their teaching.
Panel Discussion: Active Partnerships
The Panel Discussion on ACTIVE Partnerships brought together school leaders from GSA schools across the UK:
- Anne-Marie Ferrigan, International Coordinator at Monksdown Primary
- Kevin Sexton, Headteacher at The Blue Coat School
- Kavita Sharma, International Coordinator at North Halifax Grammar School
Each shared how international partnerships have impacted their students. From introducing Mandarin lessons to breaking down stereotypes through exchanges and using projects to help students challenge their own lived experiences, the discussion illustrated just how transformative these partnerships can be.
Anne-Marie said, “What our students have got out of the Global School Alliance is amazing. It fits in perfectly with making them a global citizen.” Kevin noted how these activities have “galvanised staff,” challenged assumptions and helped students “become more outward-looking.”
A standout moment of the day was the presentation of the prestigious Gold Global School Awards, which recognises schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to global education. The Global School Awards offer three levels of recognition, supporting schools as they move from introducing international work to fully embedding global citizenship into their curriculum, culture, and community.
The Gold Global School Award accreditation celebrates schools that lead in fostering an international ethos, delivering student exchanges, integrating global themes and engaging the wider community in meaningful global projects. We were proud to present the Gold Award to two exceptional schools: North Halifax Grammar School and Connah’s Quay High School.
Both schools exemplify what it means to be a Globally Active School, making international education a transformative and sustained part of their whole-school approach.
Developing Global Perspectives through Technology & Sustainability
Following the award, staff from Connah’s Quay High School delivered a session on “Education for Sustainable Futures – AI and SDGs,” sharing how their partnership with a sister school in Japan has led to embedding the Sustainable Development Goals across the curriculum. Through creative use of AI and digital tools, their students are building not just cultural awareness, but real empathy to address global challenges.
Delegates then watched a short video from Ed Holroyd Pearce, GSA’s Chief Product Officer, who offered a look ahead at the exciting intersection of AI, EdTech and global learning. As digital tools rapidly evolve, the GSA is committed to ensuring schools are equipped to use them for impactful collaboration and student voice.
We then welcomed Julie Rowlandson, Sustainability Officer at St Bart’s Multi Academy Trust, whose powerful session, “Empowering Student Voice and Belonging Through Sustainability and Climate Action”, highlighted how sustainability-focused projects help young people understand the globe. “If they understand what’s going on in their local context, they can see what’s going on in the world,” she said. These experiences give students “agency, understanding and constructive hope” – essential traits of any global citizen.
As the day drew to a close, GSA’s Julie Sutcliffe reflected on the powerful themes woven throughout the event – from global partnerships and digital collaboration to immersive travel and whole-school transformation. These experiences, she reminded us, are not isolated projects but essential steps in nurturing the skills, empathy and confidence young people need to thrive in a connected world.
Reflecting on the afternoon, Kevin Sexton, Headteacher at The Blue Coat School, said: “The Global School Alliance Conference in Liverpool on 26th September was a truly enriching experience. The sessions provided valuable insights into international collaboration and innovation in education, while the keynote speakers were both inspiring and practical. It was a fantastic opportunity to network with passionate educators from across the globe and to share ideas that can make a real impact in schools. I left feeling motivated, connected, and excited about future partnerships.”
The Global School Alliance Conference in Liverpool on 26th September was a truly enriching experience.
With a renewed sense of purpose, schools were encouraged to reflect on their next steps, continue the conversation and explore how the GSA can support them on their global journey.
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