A SCHOOL where the whole world literally is in the hands of its pupils has won an award for its lessons on different cultures.

St Joseph’s School, in Watford Way, Hendon, has been given the gold International School Award because it has strong links with schools across the world, including China and Germany.

Headteacher Irene Cipriyana says the award builds on the schools multi-cultural pupils.

She said: “There are over 35 languages spoken in the school and children come from a range of different backgrounds. That’s what makes this school so interesting.

“We have a range of different international events, parents come in and talk about their home countries and children learn Spanish from a young age so are quite fluent by the time they leave.

“The children are very excited by the award. They enjoy learning about different schools and cultures and understand what this award means.”

Next week, Year 6 pupils are being taken to St Joseph’s sister school in Xishan-Xjin, in China, where they will take part in lessons.

Throughout the week, they will learn the ancient art of tai-chi, calligraphy and dance and spend days with the families of the Chinese children.

Children in the school also have pen-pals at a school in Berlin and are currently forging links with a school in New York.

The school was given a gold award five years ago but had to resubmit their applications to prove they are still on the right track.

International co-coordinator Pilar Rodrigo said: “We are a successful and expanding school that wants to celebrate diversity.

“Our aim, and key part of our school ethos, is to embed internationalism fully throughout our curriculum and to support our pupils in developing as active global citizens.”