Dearham Primary School has received the British Council’s International School Award for the second time.

The award is described as "a badge of honour for schools that do outstanding work in international education such as through links with partner schools overseas".

The school has also been recognised as a global expert centre.

That means that, as well as fostering relationships with schools around the globe, staff at Dearham train 15 other West Cumbrian schools in setting up international education.

Deputy head and international co-ordinator Lyndsay Walker said Dearham has been involved in international education for nearly six years, ever since headteacher, Sam Kidd arrived.

She said: "Sam came from Ashfield which had a partner school in Germany. They could not carry it on for various reasons so we took over and it has just grown."

Dearham is now in partnership with schools in Germany, France, Turkey, Italy and Spain.

Mrs Walker said: "It broadens the education here and in our partner schools.

"For instance, we did a project on child obesity. We were able to do it in conjunction with our partner schools and learn about different diets, different sports and different ways to keep fit."

During many combined projects children Skype and email their international partners and everyone works on the same topic.

The children also have visits from pupils from the other schools and year five and six children have the chance of an annual trip to Germany and a visit to France every two years.

The trips are subsidised by the British Council and a fund set up at the school.

At the end of this month a group of 18 children are going to Germany.

The total cost to parents, including hotels and food, is £120.

This year, for the first time, the group will include three children from Northside Primary School in Workington, where Mrs Kidd is now executive headteacher.