A SCHOOL has been recognised for its commitment to German language and culture with an award that has only been bestowed on seven other schools nationwide.

Richmond School and Sixth Form College has been awarded partner school status with the prestigious Goethe Institut.

The Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH) is an initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office, in co-operation with the Goethe Institute. It forms a worldwide network of schools that have a special focus on German and German culture, which lies on widening horizons through multilingualism and a common approach to future problems as an international learning community. Richmond School is incredibly proud to have been selected for this highly-regarded status, becoming a beacon in the North for the celebration and promotion of German, being the only PASCH school between Liverpool and Scotland.

As part of the official launch, Richmond School welcomed esteemed guests from the German Embassy and Goethe Institut to celebrate with language teachers students, governors and trustees. The event was an exciting whistle-stop tour through German culture that captivated the audience who thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of speeches, films, dances and music. It was not only extremely informative and interesting but was also very entertaining, uplifting and great fun. Students were at the heart of the event, with fabulous entertainment from the concert band, dancers, musical soloists as well as student speeches and sketches. It was a truly-fitting celebration of the official ‘Schools of the Future partnership’ of the Goethe Institut and Richmond School.

As a modern foreign languages specialist, Jenna Potter, Headteacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, is honoured with the 'Partners for the Future' status and says: “We are incredibly excited at the prospect of being a Goethe Institut Partner School - it will bring enriched opportunities for all. In an ever-changing world we try hard every day to help our students to have really high aspirations and broad horizons in order that they may have the widest possible choice of employment in adult life.”

Dr Georgia Herlt from the Goethe Institut said: "Richmond School and Sixth Form College, as part of the Areté Learning Trust, has always been proud of its tradition offering German as part of its rich and rewarding modern foreign languages’ curriculum. With the German PASCH network, and the initiative concerning the STEM subjects offered by the Goethe-Institut, this will further enhance this focus."

Fiona Dutton, Assistant Lead Teacher for Modern Languages, was instrumental in arranging the event and will be key to the partnership going forward. Fiona says: “The event was a real celebration of German at Richmond School. I was extremely proud of all our students who showcased a wealth of talent. As one of only eight schools in the country, we are extremely privileged to have been invited to join the PASCH network which will give our students access to a global learning platform, as well as providing them with opportunities to further their German through national and international projects and scholarships.”

To find out more about the Goethe Institut and the PASCH initiative visit https://www.goethe.de/ins/af/en/spr/eng/pas.html