Wales pupils forge friendships with Ukrainian classmates
Pupils at Brynteg School in Bridgend are taking part in a new initiative which connects schools in Ukraine
Four years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pupils across Wales are forming friendships with Ukrainian classmates through the UK-Ukraine School Partnerships programme.
Pupils at Brynteg School in Bridgend and All Saints Primary School in Wrexham are among 130 schools from across the UK and Ukraine taking part in the British Council initiative, which connects schools through shared reading, creative projects and regular online exchanges designed to build empathy, resilience and global awareness.
At Brynteg, Year 7 pupils are collaborating with Burshtyn Lyceum in south-west Ukraine:
The schools are collaborating on a creative storytelling project using the wordless picture book The Journey by Aaron Becker.
The Welsh pupils have created a Ukrainian central character named Oksana, while their Ukrainian partners developed a Welsh character of their own. The project is led by literacy lead Vaughn Gibson, who said he was keen to give pupils opportunities to look beyond their immediate surroundings and connect with young people in other parts of the world.
Vaughn said: “In a lot of communities, young people’s experiences can understandably be quite local. This programme is a chance to broaden horizons and help them develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and global issues. It’s about building empathy and awareness and helping them see that although children in other countries may live very different lives, they often share the same interests and ambitions.”
The Ukrainian school has experienced disruption, including power outages and the targeting of a major energy facility in the area:
He said: “They are lucky to be away from the northeast front line, but they do have a major energy plant in their town that has been targeted. So, while they are relatively safe geographically, the fact that key infrastructure is under threat is quite harrowing.
“This is a wonderful journey for our pupils and a valuable life experience. Sometimes the pupils in Burshtyn have to revert to online learning from home when their town comes under heavy shelling as the war continues around them. It really brings home the reality of what they are living through.
“Generally, though, things have been okay. There have been a couple of occasions when power outages meant we had to reschedule sessions and there are logistical challenges, but the pupils are always eager to see each other online, which is really lovely.”
Mr Gibson travelled to Kraków, Poland, to meet his Ukrainian partner teacher:
He said: “It really hit home when a Ukrainian delegate thanked us for giving them a safe bed for two nights, it was emotional. Being in a room with 50 Ukrainian teachers was incredibly inspirational.
“We all brought gifts from home – I brought a Welsh flag and some dragons, and I took a big introduction from my class in a suitcase to hand to the Ukrainian teacher. On a very personal level, that felt really special. We also put up photographs on a map, linking our school with the Ukrainian one with ribbons.”
Brynteg School also has Ukrainian pupils who have joined since 2022 and have been able to take part in some sessions.
“Vaugh said: “One of our Ukrainian pupils walked into the classroom and saw it decked out in blue and yellow, with everything set up for the online session, he just lit up. It’s been really lovely to involve them and give them a slice of home. They can see the care and effort we’ve put in, and it really helps them feel included and connected.”
Since January 2025, the UK/Ukraine Schools Partnership programme has involved 130 schools across the UK and Ukraine, supporting approximately 23,400 young people. It is now expanding to reach a further 300 schools, with an estimated 54,000 pupils expected to benefit.