Ethiopian students, crammed into their classrooms with about 70 – 120 others, never thought they would have the chance to visit the UK, let alone interact with its citizens. But this is about to change.

DFID Global Schools Partnership has given Assossa General Secondary and Preparatory School students in Ethiopia a chance to meet their UK counterparts through a schools partnership programme.

Global School Partnerships is a British Council funded collaboration programme that pairs UK schools with schools in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The programme provides advice, professional development opportunities and grants to schools that use school partnerships as part of their curriculum.

Budhaven Community School in the UK has been paired with Assossa General Secondary and Preparatory School in Ethiopia for the next three years.

The Assossa and Budhaven partnership will allow the two schools to use sport to achieve positive social and educational change in their schools and wider communities.

Denise May, the sports director at Budhaven, says her school is excited about its new Ethiopian links.

‘This is such a great opportunity for our students. This gives Budehaven the chance to develop an international, link which will hopefully flourish and be of mutual benefit to all.

‘During the February visit this year the Budehaven and Assossa students planned and delivered a sports festival at a local primary school,’ says May.

‘They will also link with the Assossa student groups, which have been established as part of this partnership, including a girls' club, an environmental club, a cultural club, an English writing club and a sports club.

‘On their return, the students will be sharing their experiences in assemblies and presentations in lessons. Staff from Budehaven will be working with Assossa staff to develop shared resources and enhance teaching and learning styles.”

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