New Ukraine schools partnership links young people in Beeston and Smila

Candy Evans (L) and Yuliana (R) at the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships event

A new international programme is helping teachers and pupils in Ukraine and Leeds to share the joy of reading and build an understanding of the stories we tell in our different cultures.

Thanks to the British Council programme UK-Ukraine School Partnerships, Candy Evans, the Assistant Headteacher at New Bewerley Community School in Beeston was able to travel to Poland, to work with Ukrainian colleagues on a project to promote reading for pleasure in schools. The visit saw 36 British teachers and 36 Ukrainian teachers collaborating together for two days.

Whilst in Poland, Candy worked closely with her link teacher, Yuliana from Smila Secondary School no.12 in central Ukraine, to explore reading as a tool to expand horizons, build confidence and boost mental wellbeing.

Meeting in person allowed Candy and Yuliana to plan collaboratively for the academic year, supporting each other to promote reading in school. Since the trip, pupils from New Bewerley Community School and Smila Secondary School no.12 have met online, written each other letters and created vlogs about their favourite books. The project is an exciting partnership for New Bewerley School and the staff and children can’t wait to continue their link.

The project is also supported by The National Literacy Trust and they have provided training and resources to support reading in both countries. The project also delivered trauma informed training, supporting both teachers to plan effectively for children who are affected by trauma and in particular, war.

The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme is funded by the UK Government, in support of the 100-Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine. The 100-Year Partnership is an ambitious, long-term commitment to broaden and deepen the bilateral relationship across defence, trade and other areas and enable closer community links between both countries.

The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships Programme is the flagship education offer for the 100-Year Partnership, signalling the UK’s support for fostering cross-cultural understanding among pupils, teachers and wider school communities and to help bring international awareness into classrooms.