The award was presented by broadcaster and journalist George Alagiah. This celebration of the best international activity was attended by representatives from schools across the UK. St Richard's school has been awarded for outstanding work in bringing the wider world into the classroom though its range of international projects, including links with Uganda, through pen pals and fund raising, France, Poland and Germany, through exchanges of staff and pupils. On receiving the award, Assistant Principal Deborah Bligh said; "It was a privilege to receive this award on behalf of the college...a tremendous amount of work of an international nature has occurred across all departments and throughout all year groups. "We have been delighted to make links with schools in different countries whose friendship has helped to enhance the teaching and learning across the curriculum. The International School Award (www.globalgateway.org) was started in 1999 to recognise the schools leading the way in installing a global dimension into the learning experience of all children and young people. It is funded by the DCSF and managed by the British Council. The scheme is highlighted in the DCSF international strategy as 'a major prize for excellence in this field' and is open to all schools in the UK. Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said; "We congratulate and thank all the schools for their commitment to the International School Award. We believe that international links bring a vitally important dimension to the education of our young people ensuring that they build the skills and understanding to become global citizens ready and able to take their place in the world. I am delighted that so many schools, local authorities and individual teachers agree with us." A record 585 schools, a rise of a third from the previous year, were accredited in 2008, and the Award is also operating in India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Pakistan. Around 1200 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.