Big party to celebrate diversity at school of 46 languages

THE world came to Kingsmead School on Wednesday night as it celebrated International Education Week with an international party.

Pupils, parents staff and members of the surrounding community came together to celebrate the diverse communities at the school in King’s Mead Way, Homerton.

Ethnic minorities are the majority in the school - 95 per cent of children – and 46 languages are spoken.

Visitors saw African and Irish dancing shows and pupils playing steel drums, and ate a variety of donated dishes from far-flung places.

Headteacher Louise Nichols said: “It went really well and we had even more people come than other years; the hall was absolutely packed. The food was spectacular.

“I think the parents really enjoyed both the Irish and African dancers. Both groups got children and parents up on the stage. It was really good seeing the whole community together.

“We had lots of our old pupils come back and it’s becoming an annual reunion and community event rather than just a school thing.”

International Education Week takes place between November 15 and 19 every year and celebrates the work by schools to prepare children for living in a global society and working in a global economy.

Olga Stanojlovic, director of schools at the British Council, which supports the week, said: “International Education Week is a chance to celebrate all the inspirational work that goes on in schools to help our young people connect with other young people around the world.”