Eight Scottish schools have won a prestigious British Council award for their international approaches to learning.

One winner was Clydebank’s Kilbowie Primary, which West Dunbartonshire Council head of education Terry Lanagan said had taken international education to “new levels”. He praised the “proactive and imaginative approach” of headteacher Aileen Rice and her staff (above).

Kilbowie Primary has, for example, taken part in a project with schools in Poland, Portugal, Turkey and Italy, in which legends from each of the countries are studied. It also trialled an international citizenship programme with a school in Trinidad.

Trinidadian teacher Debra Charles (pictured top left) spent two weeks at the school as part of a teacher-exchange programme. She was impressed with pupils’ curiosity about Diamond Vale Government School in Diego Martin, where she works.

The other Scottish winners were: Portlethen Academy in Aberdeenshire; St Mark’s Primary in Edinburgh; Castlehill Primary in Cupar, Fife; Elgin High in Moray; Sanday Community School in Orkney; Boghall Primary in West Lothian; and Mid Calder Primary, also in West Lothian.

About 2,000 International School Awards have been won since the scheme began in 1999. Broadcaster George Alagiah will present the awards at a ceremony in London on October 16.