At the College, we are not generally inclined to self-celebration, but we cannot but feel proud about the report we received this autumn from Penta International, a UK accreditation company specialised in evaluating educational institutions, both in the UK and around the world. The team of evaluators who visited the College in spring 2023 spent three days in Duino an, participated in lessons, extracurricular activities, and engaged in conversations with the entire College community: teachers, staff, and students.
It is the students who emerge as the greatest asset of the College, topping the list of commendations.
The Penta team observed them in their daily activities: in the classroom, as they studied or during quiet moments in the residences, interviewing them informally, as well as speaking with the staff members.
The ten criteria on which the College was evaluated ranged from international and intercultural understanding to personal responsibility, including the celebration of diversity, respect for the environment, the development of ideals, and so on
And, as we know, this concerns not just the College community but also its relations with the outside world.
The College’s commitment to promoting knowledge and understanding of democratic principles in its co-curricular programme was also appreciated by Penta, emphasising the importance of activities such as the Orizzonti conference series, or cultural weeks and days dedicated to shining a spotlight on specific themes, such as UWC Day or Sustainability, Black History Month and Pride Month. The opportunity given to students to challenge themselves and initiate projects of their own accord did not go unnoticed.
Along with a list of recommendations on aspects to consider for improvement, Penta International found the College to excel in an aspect that we hold very dear: the quality of the education and care we provide to our students.
