SISD Celebrates Social Impact Excellence: Silver Accreditation Award!

We’re proud to share some exciting news that reflects the incredible dedication of our students, staff, and wider school community. Swiss International Scientific School (SISD) has achieved Silver of the prestigious Social Impact Distinction, marking the school’s significant progress on working withinNAE’s Social Impact Distinction programme.

This global initiative, developed with support from UNICEF UK*, celebrates the ways in which schools embed children’s rights (UNCRC), equality, diversity, inclusion, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into school life. It also provides a powerful framework for nurturing young people as global citizens who are ready to make a difference.

What Is the Social Impact Distinction?

The Social Impact Distinction is a unique accreditation programme that evaluates how schools incorporate meaningful social impact into their everyday practices. With three levels - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - the programme assesses schools on everything from curriculum integration and student voice to community involvement and inclusion practices.

As Frances Bestley, Director of Programmes at UNICEF UK, explains:

“We know teaching about children’s rights has a significant impact on a school’s culture, developing it into a place where children’s voices are heard and there’s a shared sense of community and belonging. Children take their right to an education seriously and believe they can change the world for the better. That’s why we've worked with Nord Anglia to develop the Social Impact Distinctions and I’m certain it’s making a difference to children’s lives.”

Student Voice

At SISD, students play a major role in making a social impact. Our students are not simply learning about global challenges, they are actively identifying issues that matter to them and turning their ideas into meaningful action.

“As Co-Head of the Social Impact Council, I have been directly involved in transforming student ideas into tangible actions. Students played a central role in designing and leading key initiatives such as World Children’s Day activities, awareness campaigns through assemblies, and fundraising events including a breast cancer awareness bake sale. These initiatives were student-driven, with ideas proposed, developed, and executed by students themselves.”

– Abdellatif Senhaji Rhazi
   Student & Co-Head of the Social Impact Council

His experience reflects the growing culture of student leadership at SISD, where young people are encouraged to find their voice, take responsibility, and contribute to positive change within and beyond the school community.

Creating Positive Change

“The Social Impact Silver Distinction marks a meaningful milestone for SISD. What began with learning about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Rights of the Child has sparked a lasting ripple effect of change, improvement, and action across our community. I am delighted to have played a role in steering our school towards this achievement – and immensely proud of our students, those with natural leadership, who organised activities and events and those who discovered their voice by joining our awareness and fundraising campaigns. The Social Impact Silver Distinction is a recognition of our efforts to be more sustainable, more inclusive, and more aware that it is our collective responsibility to create a better and fairer world.”

– Teresa Pollard
   SISD’s Sustainability and Social Impact Lead

A Shared Commitment Across Nord Anglia Schools

SISD’s recognition is part of a broader effort across the Nord Anglia family of schools to foster global citizenship and meaningful social change. Other NAE schools are also advancing through the Distinction levels, with many working towards achieving Gold.

As Dr Leslie Williams, Group Head for Social Impact and EDIB at Nord Anglia Education, explains:

“Our accreditations allow us not only to measure the level of social impact work taking place across Nord Anglia, but also to encourage meaningful engagement amongst our schools and students. We hope that these will lead to shifts in cultures, focused on improving the school community and beyond through outreach opportunities. I’mvery proud of how our Nord Anglia Social Impact Distinctions nurture purpose and citizenship amongst our 90,000 plus students around the world.”

What This Means for Your Child

At SISD, the Social Impact Distinction isn’t just a badge of honour -it’s a reflection of our daily commitment to our holistic educational approach, uniting our community and shaping our students’ learning journeys.

As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to growing even further - together with you, our parents - as we continue to support our students in becoming the changemakers of tomorrow.