International Learning at Our School
At Middleton, we’re proud to weave international learning into everyday school life. Our pupils get involved in a range of exciting activities that help them explore different cultures, societies and global issues. Through lessons, projects and special events, we look at the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and think about what they mean for us, our community and the wider world.
For the past 14 years, Middleton has proudly held the International School Award from the British Council, recognising our long-standing commitment to global learning. This achievement reflects how deeply international education is embedded in our curriculum and school ethos. It shapes our teaching, inspires our projects, and helps our pupils become thoughtful, informed and responsible global citizens.
We work closely with other schools, organisations and communities - both nearby and further away. These partnerships give us the chance to share ideas, learn from each other and celebrate the diversity that makes our world so interesting.
This international approach brings lots of benefits. It makes learning more meaningful and helps our pupils develop curiosity, global awareness and respect for others. By building these connections, we create lasting partnerships that enrich the experiences of everyone in our school community.
Most importantly, this work reflects our core values: we care for our school, our community and our world. Our international focus helps us grow as a caring, inclusive and outward-looking school.
Our International School Display
At our school, you can see signs all around that show how international we are! We celebrate children who speak more than one language - like our French Speaker of the Month and our Linguist of the Month. You’ll find colourful signs in many different languages all over the school, showing the words we use and the countries we learn about.
On the playground, there are signs showing how far away our partner schools are in countries like France, China, and Madagascar. Our library has a special display that shows where books can take us - from the pyramids of Egypt to the rainforests of South America!
We have a special board celebrating our bilingual pupils and families who come from all around the world. You’ll also spot international links in our lessons - in Geography, RSE, History and even Art! Whether we’re learning about peace, exploring different cultures, or reading stories from other countries, our school is full of signs that show how we are citizens of the world.
Our Learning Journey: Life of Children in a School in Madagascar
This term, we’ve been learning all about what life is like for children in a school in Madagascar – a big island with so much to discover!
We started by looking at the geography of Madagascar, learning about its different landscapes like beaches, mountains and rainforests. We were amazed to find out that many plants and animals live only in Madagascar – these are called endemic species.
We learnt about some really interesting ones, like:
Lemurs – they jump through the trees and make funny noises!
Baobab trees – giant trees with thick trunks with water inside!
Vanilla plants – the best vanilla actually grows in Madagascar!
Tomato frogs – yes, they’re bright red like a tomato!
We also talked about recycling and how it’s important to take care of our planet, just like children in Madagascar do.
One of our favourite activities was learning a traditional Malagasy song called “Koman Sa Va Doudou.” We sang it together and had so much fun dancing to traditional music!
The older children found out about interesting customs in Madagascar, such as:
Famadihana – a special family celebration to honour ancestors.
Masonjoany – a yellow paste made from wood that people wear on their faces for sun protection and beauty and we made our own designs.
We also followed what’s happening in our partner school in Nosy Mitsio, a small island near Madagascar. We learned about a typical day for the children there – it was fun to compare it with our own school days!
To stay connected, we wrote letters and sent drawings to our friends in Madagascar. We even took this chance to revise our French vocabulary and learn some new French phrases – since many people in Madagascar speak French too!
It’s been an amazing learning journey full of songs, stories, and discoveries!
Languages Day at Middleton Primary School
At Middleton Primary School, we had an exciting Languages Day full of great activities! Children from all year groups took part and explored lots of different languages and cultures from around the world.
Some pupils became language detectives, finding out where words come from. Others had fun learning foreign idioms like “to jump over your shadow” in German or “to have little monkeys inside your head!” in Portuguese.
We sang songs, learned traditional dances and even tried translating and writing poems and calligrams (fun word pictures!). Some children invented their own languages and shared them with their friends.
There were quiz games to test our language skills, and we discovered amazing traditions - did you know the Tooth Fairy is a mouse in France?
Some of us watched some great foreign movies with subtitles for the first time!
We had some amazing parents (thanks to them!) coming in to share their home languages, reading stories and singing traditional songs.
It was a wonderful day where we celebrated how exciting and different languages can be. We had so much fun learning together!
Where Children Sleep
Our pupils have been exploring Where Children Sleep by James Mollison - a powerful photographic book that highlights the different living conditions of children around the world. Through this study, they looked at the contrasts between childhood experiences across the globe, while also recognising the shared needs and dreams that connect all children, no matter their background. They engaged in thoughtful conversations around fairness, privilege and opportunity and expressed their reflections through writing about inequality and designing their own ideal bedrooms - considering what a safe and comfortable space means to them personally.
Raft of the Medusa
Year 6 Explore The Raft of the Medusa
Our Year 6 pupils have been exploring The Raft of the Medusa, Théodore Géricault’s powerful painting. They explored the historical background of the painting and learnt about the tragic real-life events that inspired it and the life of the artist himself.
Using their creative skills, they reimagined the artwork in their own unique ways, producing incredible interpretations that captured the emotion and movement of the original piece. They even brought the painting to life through a reenactment.
Through their work, our pupils showed real appreciation for Géricault’s artistry and recognised how themes of struggle, resilience and hope still connect to our world today. A fantastic achievement!
Celebrating Cultural Exchange
Over the past three months - just like we do every year - eight of our classes had the amazing chance to welcome guests from Spain, France and Germany, through Bilborough College’s exchange student programme. But these visitors didn’t just bring their languages - they shared their cultures too. From traditions like bullfighting and the Tomatina, to storytelling of German tales, games, music (who knew a French disco could be so fun?) and plenty of great conversations, they gave our pupils a real taste of life in their home countries.
It was a fantastic example of cultural exchange in action. For many of our pupils, it was the first time they’d connected with someone from a different background and it opened their eyes to new ways of thinking. Experiences like this help build empathy, understanding and respect - important values in any community.
The visits also gave our pupils a big boost in language learning. Speaking with native French, Spanish, and German speakers helped them practise everyday conversation, grow in confidence and enjoy the real-world impact of learning another language.
Most importantly, the project helped our pupils see the world in a new way. They gained first-hand insight into different countries and cultures and a better understanding of how connected we all are. It’s a great reminder of the value of staying curious, kind and open to learning from others.
We can’t wait to welcome even more international friends next year!
Charity Week
Supporting The Mustard Seed Project
This year, Middleton Primary School was proud to raise funds for Footprints Conductive Education Centre and The Mustard Seed Project - a local charity that supports education and access to clean water in a rural Ugandan community. As part of their learning, pupils spent a week exploring life in Uganda. They were especially inspired by visits from Sally (from Mustard Seed) and Sonyanga, a filmmaker, musician and climate activist from Kenya’s Maasai community. Sonyanga shared his experiences and even performed music using a homemade flute made from piping, which really sparked the children’s curiosity and admiration.
Eurovision - A multilingual Musical Adventure
As part of our international and language learning, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils took part in a special Eurovision Song Contest 2025 activity! Children listened to nine songs from different countries, each in its original language. They explored the geography and culture of each country and completed a fun questionnaire about the songs in French, Spanish, and German.
After learning about the music and the countries, each class voted for their favourite entry. It was a fantastic way to combine music, languages and to discover that you can really enjoy songs in foreign languages.
Each class had a different winner and we definitely discovered some future Eurovision fans along the way!
Exploring Sports Around the World – Year 4 and 5
Our Year 3, 4 and 5 pupils have been on a global sporting adventure! As part of their international learning, they discovered and explored a variety of exciting sports from different countries. From sand-yachting in Belgium to the martial art of Savate and the popular game of Pétanque in France, from the Boccia game from Ancient Greece ( they played a curling version of the game) to the fighting sport of Moraingy, their journey took them across continents.
During their learning they discovered the links between Caliche from Spain, Boccia and Pétanque and had great fun learning and playing the unique Canadian game of Kin-ball, where teamwork is key!
Our pupils also watched videos of their French partners sailing and wrestling which was a big surprise to them.
Soon they will try the fast-paced game of Kabaddi (India) which was a big success last year.
The children had a fantastic time trying out these sports, learning about their origins, and understanding how people play in different parts of the world. It was a joyful celebration of global physical activities and sportsmanship and a perfect combination of the RRSA articles 28, 30 and 31.
Exploring Pakistan: Year 5's Geographical and Cultural Journey
In Year 5, we did an in-depth geographical study of Pakistan. The children were fully engaged and showed great enthusiasm throughout the topic. We explored both Pakistan’s physical and human geography, looking closely at its mountains, rivers, cities and rural areas. The children were particularly attentive when learning about how the country developed due to the natural resources available and how its geography presents both advantages and challenges.
One of the key aspects we focused on was the devastating effects that climate change is having on Pakistan’s landscape and people. The pupils showed real interest and empathy when discussing the impact of floods, droughts and rising temperatures, and they asked thoughtful questions, showing their deepening understanding of global issues.
This topic also gave the children in our class who have Pakistani heritage a wonderful opportunity to share their own experiences, culture and knowledge with their classmates. Their contributions brought the lessons to life and added a personal, meaningful dimension to our study.
Save the Sea!
As part of our commitment to global learning and environmental awareness, our students have taken part in the Save the Sea! project. Through a series of interactive and engaging activities, pupils learned about the importance of protecting our oceans and how small actions can make a big difference.
The project began with group discussions where children explored creative ways to reduce waste and use recyclable materials in everyday life. Building on these ideas, each group developed an action plan to promote the "reduce, reuse, recycle" message within our school and the wider community. Pupils worked together to design educational posters and presented their ideas to classmates, staff and the school council, inspiring others to join in their efforts.
Finally, students researched the causes and effects of water pollution, creating PowerPoint presentations that offered practical solutions to help protect our oceans. This hands-on project not only deepened their understanding of environmental issues but also empowered them to become active advocates for ocean conservation.
A Tasty Trip Around the World!
Last week, Foundation was bursting with flavour, colour and culture as we celebrated International Food Sharing Week - and what an adventure it was!
Children brought in delicious dishes from their home countries, proudly sharing food that’s important to their families and cultures. From homemade curries and dumplings to sweet treats and savoury snacks our classrooms became buzzing hubs of international tasting and learning.
As we tucked into bites from all around the globe, we didn’t just fill our tummies. We learned where ingredients come from, talked about food traditions in different countries and discovered how families across the world celebrate through cooking and sharing meals.
We even got creative, printing fruits and vegetables from different continents to make colourful displays that reminded us just how global our school community is.
Every child had the chance to share something unique and every child had the chance to try something new. We celebrated the amazing mix of cultures that make up our school, and we were reminded just how much we can learn from each other — starting with what’s on our plates!
French Kings and Spelling
As part of our partnership with the French school René Guy Cadou, Year 3 pupils took part in an exciting MFL activity. French children sent us photos of themselves along with audio recordings of them spelling their names in French. Our pupils then matched each recording to the correct photo - the perfect opportunity to practise the French alphabet in a fun and engaging way! It is now our turn to send our own pictures and recordings back to them. Using the photos, we explored the French celebration of Kings’ Day ("La Fête des Rois"), learning how the children in France wear crowns as part of the tradition. Next Year we will try to bake this special French festive cake.
Celebrating International Art at Middleton Primary!
This year again, our school has been bursting with colour, creativity and imagination as children across all year groups explored the work of world-famous artists from around the world.
From Van Gogh’s swirling skies to the dreamlike scenes of Salvador Dalí, pupils have been inspired by a rich variety of artistic styles and cultures.
Each year group studied a different artist: from the bold patterns of Kandinsky in Russia, to the dramatic waves of Hokusai in Japan, the vibrant self-portraits of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the beautiful patterns of Madagascar traditional clothes, the peaceful water lilies of French impressionist Claude Monet and many more.
The children learned not only how to use different techniques but also about the countries, cultures and histories that shaped these artists’ lives.
This project is part of our ongoing commitment to international learning, helping our pupils understand and celebrate creativity from around the world. The artwork is now proudly displayed throughout the school - a true gallery of global inspiration!
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From Our Windows – A Creative and Green Adventure!
As part of our international partnership, Year 3 and Year 4 pupils took part in a wonderful exchange activity with our partner school in France. Each class created colourful drawings of their own school, showing classrooms, playgrounds, lunch halls and all the things that make their school special. The children then swapped their drawings with pupils from France.
Once the drawings arrived, Year 3 and Year 4 eagerly explored them and compared school life in both countries. They discovered many interesting differences and similarities. Our pupils were especially surprised to learn about the delicious lunches French children enjoy at school and were fascinated by some of the unique PE activities, such as wrestling and sailing! Another big talking point was the fact that French pupils don’t have to wear a school uniform - a very popular idea with our class!
As part of this project, we’re also connecting with children from schools in France and Portugal! We’re sharing what we see and learning how schools in other countries care for their environment too.
The activity sparked lots of great discussions and helped our pupils learn more about life in another country, while also sharing what makes our own school special.
Through this fun and creative activity, the children are becoming better observers, artists, and writers - all while learning important words and ideas about sustainability and how to protect our planet for the future.
A Special Surprise from France
We were so excited to receive a big envelope from our partner school in France! When we opened it, we found lots of amazing things inside - colourful drawings, portraits, letters, booklets, posters, comic books and even more surprises!
They also sent us a special Culture Box filled with their favourite things from France. We discovered a French song they love, delicious foods they enjoy, famous people, fun sports and beautiful places in their country.
They didn’t stop there! The French children also taught us some of their favourite games - the 007 hand-clapping game was a big hit with everyone (but Mr Lantelme is still the best at it…)! We even learnt a few French songs too.
It was so exciting to learn directly from children our age. It made everything feel more real and fun!
We also prepared our own envelope and culture box to send back to France, with all our favourite things from our school and country. Now, we’re waiting to hear what the French children think of it!
Cultural Exchange with Portugal
This term, our class had an exciting opportunity to take part in a Culture Box Exchange with our partner school in Portugal. We sent each other special boxes filled with fun items, pictures and information to help us learn about each other’s countries!
We discovered so many amazing things about Portuguese life and traditions. One of our favourite things we learnt about was the San Antonio Festival - a colourful celebration full of music, dancing, and... grilled sardines! The children loved hearing how important sardines are during the festival and thought it was such a fun way to celebrate!
We also learnt a super fun Portuguese song and dance called Soco Bate Vira. It has lots of clapping, stomping, and turning – we had such a great time practicing the moves together in class!
As part of our learning, we explored Portuguese geography, looking at maps and finding out where Portugal is in Europe. We also talked about their typical foods. One food that really surprised us was Bacalhau, a type of dried fish that is very popular in Portugal. We were amazed by how it’s dried and used in many delicious dishes!
It’s been a wonderful experience learning about another culture, and we loved sharing our own traditions with our new friends in Portugal too.
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Year 6 French & PSHE Lesson: Exploring Identity and Culture through Film
Year 6 recently took part in a thought-provoking lesson centred around the French film Tomboy. Watching the film in French gave pupils a valuable opportunity to hear authentic language in context, while also exploring important social themes.
After the screening, the class engaged in lively discussions about the differences and similarities between childhood in France and England, gender stereotypes and children’s rights. Pupils asked thoughtful questions and shared passionate, respectful opinions, showing great maturity and empathy. It was a powerful and enriching session that brought together language learning and global citizenship in a meaningful way.
Year 2’s Global Project: The Life of Mary Seacole
This term, Year 2 have been learning about Mary Seacole, a remarkable woman whose work helped people around the world.
Born in Jamaica, Mary used traditional herbal medicine to care for the sick. She travelled to Panama to treat people during a disease outbreak and later to Crimea, where she supported soldiers during the war. When she was turned away from official nursing groups, Mary set up the British Hotel, offering food, comfort and care to soldiers from many countries.
Our project highlighted Mary’s global impact and how her work connects to international healthcare today. Children explored how different cultures approach medicine and the importance of cross-cultural care.
Pupils took part in:
- Research on Mary’s life and travels
- Creative projects inspired by her story
- Discussions about resilience, fairness and global health
Mary’s story shows us that compassion, courage and care can make a difference all over the world.
Malawi: Our William Kamkwamba Project
At our school, pupils have been inspired by the incredible story of William Kamkwamba, the Malawian inventor who built a wind turbine from scrap materials to bring electricity to his village. As part of this international learning project, children explored William's life and achievements, learning about Malawi’s culture, challenges linked to climate change, and how innovation can drive sustainable development.
This project helped pupils understand key global issues such as access to education, renewable energy, and climate resilience. By looking beyond our own borders, we celebrated the power of creativity, determination, and global citizenship. The work also links to our wider international curriculum, encouraging pupils to think critically and compassionately about the world they live in.
Music Around the World: A Year 3 Adventure
This term, Year 3 have been exploring the exciting question: How is music different around the world?
We’ve taken a musical journey across the globe – from the lively samba rhythms of Brazil to the peaceful sounds of traditional instruments from China and Indonesia. We’ve danced to the beats of Jamaica, learnt about joyful music from Mexico and discovered traditional songs from Portugal, India and the Czech Republic too!
The children listened carefully and noticed how music can sound very different depending on the instruments, rhythms and traditions – but they also found lots of similarities, like how music brings people together and tells stories everywhere in the world.
It’s been a truly international project, helping us understand how music is an important part of every culture – and how it can connect us all, no matter where we come from!
Introducing the Global Goals in Year 4
Mrs Khalique visited our Year 4 classes to introduce the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. She explained what the goals are in a clear and simple way, helping pupils understand how people around the world are working together to make our planet fairer, safer and greener for everyone.
The children were really enthusiastic and engaged throughout the session - they asked thoughtful questions, shared some very insightful comments and came up with amazing ideas for how we can all help make a difference. It was inspiring to see our Year 4 pupils thinking like true global citizens!
