THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
ACS International School Hillingdon has become the first school in Europe to offer the Global Citizens Diploma (GCD), a unique qualification that goes beyond academic results to acknowledge all of the exceptional citizenship and service-related activities students undertake to become global citizens.
The GCD allows High School students (aged 14-18) to demonstrate skills, personality and values beyond their academic grades and is an internationally recognized, qualification. It also enables the school to provide new opportunities for students to develop key life skills and a greater global awareness.
The GCD comprises 16 key elements, which are split into core values, competencies, and areas of expertise, and include elements such as community engagement, global understanding, intercultural communication, wilderness engagement, work experience, artistic expression and leadership.
The GCD can be completed to three different levels: Global Citizens Certificate (GCC), the GCD or the GCD+. All High School students at ACS Hillingdon are required to complete at least the GCC before they graduate but are encouraged to go on to complete the full GCD. To support students in developing the skills required to complete their GCD activities, Lisa Blair, ACS Hillingdon's Upper School Principal has introduced weekly Personal Development Programme (PDP) lessons which all High School students will attend.
