British Council UK-Ukraine Reading Partnership
Belmont Community School in Durham has partnered with Dorobratove Hub School in Ukraine to share the joy of reading and create connections between communities.
The schools have been matched through the British Council’s UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme, which is funded by the Department for Education. This unique initiative supports schools to build lasting international partnerships, and explore reading as a tool to expand horizons, build confidence and boost mental health and wellbeing. The programme will connect 100 schools in the UK and Ukraine (50 schools in the UK with 50 in Ukraine). Classes will work together on activities to encourage reading for pleasure, building and understanding of each other’s cultures through a common love for reading.
Ms Burton, Head of School at Belmont Community School said: “We are thrilled to be part of such an exciting initiative that will bring young people who share a love of reading together. An enterprise such as this that supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing is always a welcome one!”
The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme is funded by the Department for Education in support of the 100-Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine, which is a long-term commitment to broaden and deepen the bilateral relationship across defence, trade and other areas as well as enabling 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, helping to bring international awareness into classrooms. The programme is delivered by the British Council in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust.
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, and strengthen ties between the UK and Ukraine.’
