Global Competency Vision and Policy

Intent

At SFDS we are committed to developing globally competent learners who are prepared to engage thoughtfully and effectively in an increasingly interconnected world. We recognise the importance of equipping our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to understand global issues, appreciate cultural diversity, and contribute positively to local and global communities.

Our approach to global learning is carefully planned and sequenced across the curriculum, using the Global Cities Education Codebook indicators as a guiding framework. These indicators help us ensure that learning opportunities are meaningful, progressive, and embedded within the curriculum.

We aim to foster strong international links with partner schools around the world, enabling students to participate in collaborative projects, cultural exchanges, and real-world problem solving with their peers across different countries. These partnerships bring global learning to life.

By embedding global themes throughout the curriculum and promoting international understanding in all aspects of school life, we aim to empower our students to become confident, informed, and compassionate global citizens.

Implementation 

At St. Francis de Sales, children are provided with opportunities to broaden their cultural understanding and appreciation for diversity through visits locally and internationally. Furthermore, children also learn about cultures and traditions of other countries through our International Days which run throughout the school year. For example:

• Y4-Y6 have the opportunity to go on annual ski trips to Italy which provide language and culture as well as independence and building resilience.
• International partnerships with schools in Spain, USA, Kazakhstan and Sierra Leone.
• Local visits to Manchester Muslim Preparatory School allow pupils to consider similarities and differences in religion, culture and community values.

• International Food Days where the dinner menu is carefully altered to reflect the cuisine of another country..
• Short lessons that accompany such food days, where children learn about traditions and learn some of the country’s language.
• Collaborative projects with partnership schools around the world where we exchange letters and postcards to one another about our lives.
• Cross curricular activities and lessons where work is sequenced alongside the Global Cities Codebook indicators.
• Global Links Art lessons for all year groups with the focus of learning about an inspiring international artist from the countries of our partnered schools.
• MFL specialists deliver language lessons developing oracy skills such as pronunciation, intonation and pace, as well as an overall cultural understanding of the area.
• Global Scholars club provides opportunities for international collaboration as well as community projects.
• Whole school staff CPD on Global Competency.

Impact

At St. Francis de Sales, we assess the impact of our intent and implementation in order to help us refine and adapt our planning and as a result improves the quality of teaching and learning. We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Pupil voice is taken each term in order to gauge the enjoyment pupils have when learning beyond the classroom as well as evaluating the impact it has on pupil understanding across curriculum areas;
• Teacher voice is obtained annually through informal meetings and discussions which take place throughout the year; 
• Work reviews take place on a termly basis in order to evaluate the teaching taking place outside of the classroom environment and ensure there is cohesion across each year group;
• Annual impact reviews are completed by the subject lead in order to evaluate the quality of teaching and learning which takes place beyond the classroom across the curriculum in order to help adapt and refine planning which, in turn, improves the quality of teaching and learning.

Partnership Schools

In 2025-2026 we have been lucky enough to forge partnerships with four international schools:

• Andrews Middle School, Boston USA
• New Life Christian Preparatory School, Waterloo, Sierra Leone.
• Principe Don Felipe, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain.
• School No 91, Astana, Kazakhstan.

Whole school projects including flamenco dance workshops, the pen-pal scheme, global links art lessons and international food days.

Global Scholars Programme

Today’s youth live in a rapidly changing, increasingly connected and interdependent world. It’s time to address these changes with educational experiences that prepare students for this global landscape. The goal is cross-cultural understanding by engaging youth in collective problem solving about important common issues that will determine our shared future. Global Scholars is an international online learning program that connects students in cities around the world and prepares them to become the next generation of global citizens. Engaging in activities both in the classroom and online, students ages 10-13 interact with their international peers, develop 21st century skills, and ultimately gain a broader perspective on the global world in which they live.

Community Projects:

In 2025 the Global Scholars, Eco-Warriors and School Councillors took part in an exciting and inspiring community action project to clean up their local area! Under the direction of Liverpool City Council, the pupils set off with the intent of litter-picking the streets surrounding the school.