Atlantic College is an international sixth form college founded in 1962 and the first of 10 United World Colleges around the world. It was established to engage young people from all nations in finding peaceful means to bring together a world divided by political, racial and socio-economic barriers. Its vision is to enable students to become responsible global citizens who are politically and environmentally aware. International education, shared experience and community service make this happen purposefully and effectively.

Around 350 students from over 70 countries attend Atlantic College. Almost all are on financial aid. All take the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, which offers a more global educational experience than the national curriculum. Atlantic College was the first school in the United Kingdom to abandon A Levels. Its first cohort of IB Diploma students graduated in 1973. In addition to this rigorous academic education students participate in a huge variety of extra-curricular services and activities. For example, students run the local RNLI lifeboat and work on the college organic farm. They also arrange global concerns focus weeks throughout each semester.

Students from all faiths and backgrounds attend Atlantic United World College and it provides an excellent example of a positive initiative aimed at breaking down divides between young people from different communities and cultures and encouraging the concept of global citizenship.

Project type

• Schools
• Conflict resolution

Region

• Vale of Glamorgan