AN OXFORD primary where 39 languages are spoken has won an award for its international outlook.

Wood Farm Primary School won the British Council International School Award for its links with a school on the other side of the world.

Pupils wrote and sang a song with a South African primary school and even produced a music video which was praised by Take That’s Gary Barlow.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith presented the award on Friday at the morning assembly.

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The school has also hosted a teacher – Ilze Van de Vyver – from their partner school in South Africa, Adelaide Primary.

Year Six teacher Hannah Barton said pupils come from countries including East Timor, Brazil and Nepal.

She said: “It is a huge spread and a real strength for our school having the input from the children themselves from their different cultures and also the parents.”

The Titup Hall Drive school holds an annual international evening and encourages parents and pupils to bring food from their cultures.

Miss Barton added: “It is a real celebration of that diversity.”

The school recorded We Stand Tall last year alongside the African school. Children sent their music video to Mr Barlow and he replied with a personal video message in which he said he found it inspiring.

Albanian pupil Benji Nela, 10, said: “It’s really cool to be linked to a school in another country because we learn about their traditions and the differences, and they learn about our traditions.”

Dufuwaa Smith, 10, who has roots in Ghana and Jamaica, said: “We have so much in common with them. It’s fun to hear what they do.”

And Mollie Wilkinson, nine, said: “I’ve really enjoyed seeing their teachers and talking to them and hearing about the differences.”

Assistant headteacher Louise Holman visited Adelaide Primary School earlier in the year.

She said: “Our work with Adelaide School has gone from strength to strength over the last three year. The children have been pivotal in developing the link, due to their enthusiasm, excitement and eagerness to communicate with children in another country.”

Mr Smith said: “It is always great to visit such a happy and successful school and it was really nice to see the pride the children rightly took in winning this award.”

Other county winners include Bure Park Primary School, Bicester, Harwell Primary School, RAF Benson Community Primary School, and Cherwell School in Oxford. It is given to schools that develop partnerships with others across the globe.

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