Nayantara Atal, Alumnus, The Indian School Al Gubra
International Community School, Ghana
Peter Willet, Teacher, Aiglon
Eric Niles, Head of School, The Athenian School
Trevor Day School
Ann Hansen, Director of Global Education, Herlufsholm Skole
Josceline Cluff, Alumnus, Cobham Hall
Round Square is an international network of 200 like-minded schools in 50 countries that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programmes and experiences that develop global competence, character and confidence in our students.
The Round Square approach is built around six core themes - our IDEALS - and 12 underpinning “Discoveries” that together provide a Framework to support schools in embedding Character Education within and beyond the curriculum.
Our world needs courageous and compassionate leaders, prepared to discover and embrace different cultures and nationalities in ways that promote meaningful and lasting understanding and respect. Today’s students are the leaders of the future: It is our responsibility to prepare them well.
Recognising that positive, meaningful, change starts with courageous conversations, Round Square schools connect students with their peers from across the world for open, honest and brave dialogue around some of the most difficult, and sensitive, issues facing our world today. Click the links below to find out more about two of the many platforms we use for this:
Each week students in a RS school somewhere in the world host a Zoom call “Postcard from…” their local area on a topic of their choice – something of local interest with global relevance – and invite their peers. To date more than 5,000 students have participated in over 50 postcards on a diverse range of topics.
The first Round Square Virtual Conference in 2021, hosted by Chittagong Grammar School in Bangladesh, challenged students to tackle the topic “Climate Action – Now or Never”. Delegates from 21 countries came to the conference ready to present on environmental issues and potential solutions in their part of the world. St. Clement’s excitedly signed up and volunteered to host a zoom ‘Postcard’ around acts of kindness. It made for a great culminating task for the group and a great way for the committee to end out the year with purpose.
Understanding that some of life’s most powerful lessons come from practical experience, Round Square schools encourage students to take on challenges, go beyond their comfort zone and discover that there is more in each of us than know. These are just two examples of the many ways in which students are challenged:
Learning by doing is not just about getting outdoors to take part in physical activities and programmes. Sometimes it means an intellectual journey of discovery – tackling a big question, doing some research, figuring out your own views on the issue and responding to the question. This is where the RS IDEALS Challenge comes in.
Ask students what it means to have a Spirit of Adventure, the loudest answer that comes back is being ready to go beyond your comfort zone and try something new. During lockdown, students across the world have been channeling their thirst for adventure into creative artistic expression, making new discoveries along the way.
Knowing that greater intercultural understanding can only be a good thing, Round Square schools collaborate on teaching and learning programmes, courses and initiatives, to connect students with their peers in other countries and bring the world to their classroom through the RS network. Read about two examples of international collaboration here:
One of the best recipes for a great conversation, between strangers from different countries and cultures, starts with a common ingredient… Food. For this reason, it’s a great foundation for a collaborative learning programme between Round Square schools in different parts of the world, or a broader conversation between many schools.
During the Pandemic, with we captured the voices of a generation through a research project that created a virtual time capsule. Students shared experiences, thoughts, dreams, worries and hopes for the future, at an extraordinary moment in time. We covered a range of topics including character, wellness and wellbeing, and concern for the environment.
Would you like to work at a Round Square School? Do you know someone that would be a great fit for our approach and ethos? Do you want to do more than teach-to-test? Click the link below to search positions currently available in Round Square schools.
