Walmsley CE Primary School partners with a school in Ukraine

Walmsley CE Primary School has formed an international partnership with a school in Ukraine to promote reading for pleasure and strengthen cultural connections.

The popular school has linked up with Romanove Selo Gymnasium in Ternopil as part of the British Council’s UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme.

The initiative, funded by the Department for Education, supports schools in building long-term international links while using reading as a way to broaden horizons, boost confidence and support pupils’ mental wellbeing.

Through the programme, 100 schools across the UK and Ukraine will be paired, with 50 schools in each country taking part. Pupils will work together on shared activities designed to encourage a love of reading and develop an understanding of each other’s cultures.

The initiative is funded by the Department for Education, supporting schools to build long-term international links (Image: Walmsley CE School)

Headteacher at Walmsley CE Primary School, Joanna Atherton, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme.

“This initiative will encourage young people to read for pleasure, while building their confidence and skills to engage with people from different cultures.

“The support from the programme, including workshops, resources and facilitation, will help us establish a strong foundation for this partnership.”

Pupils in Bolton are connecting with classmates overseas through this reading-focused project (Image: Walmsley CE School)

The programme forms part of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, a long-term commitment aimed at strengthening relationships between the two countries across areas, including education, trade and community links.

Delivered by the British Council in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust, the scheme is the flagship education initiative within the partnership and aims to bring global awareness into classrooms.

Shannon West, Head of UK Schools at the British Council, said: “Creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of the work of the British Council for the last 90 years.

“We are delighted to be working with so many schools on this programme, which will give young people the international outlook and skills to thrive in our global society, while strengthening ties between the UK and Ukraine.”