A RURAL school in Northern Ireland has launched its first-ever international partnership, teaming up with a school close to the front lines in Ukraine.
Kilmoyle Primary School situated in the village of Ballybogey, Co Antrim has been selected to take part in the UK–Ukraine School Partnerships Programme, a British Council initiative funded by the UK Government.
The programme has connected 100 schools - 50 in the UK and 50 in Ukraine - through a shared love of reading, helping to build cultural connections, strengthen resilience, and support pupils’ wellbeing.
Inspired by the arrival of several Ukrainian pupils in 2022, following the outbreak of war, the school saw the partnership as a way to offer support and foster greater understanding.
Their principal Jeff Scott explained: “We’ve always been interested in international partnerships. When we welcomed 14 Ukrainian pupils in May 2022, our school began to change. Before then, we were a small, rural, predominantly white school. The arrival of Ukrainian families into our community brought real diversity, and we’ve worked hard to support their integration through dedicated English language lessons and cultural inclusion.”
With ten Ukrainian pupils still part of the school community, the opportunity to link with a Ukrainian school felt timely and relevant.
Jeff said: “It’s become part of our school’s identity. Even now, we have two Ukrainian children in our nursery - siblings of those already enrolled - and they’ll be starting P1 this year. So, when this project came up it made complete sense for us. We already had the community, and this was a way to deepen that connection.”
The school was one of five schools from Northern Ireland selected to take part, representing a healthy 10% of all UK schools. In February, staff attended a residential training and networking event in Poland alongside 15 UK and 15 Ukrainian schools.
Mr Scott said: “It was incredibly valuable. We learned not just about Ukraine’s education system, but how to support children dealing with trauma and how to foster a love of reading through collaborative projects.
“We also had time to get to know our partner school and begin planning the first phase of our project, which is creating a programme to foster a love of reading and help children learn about one another’s cultures.”
The school is now partnered with Pershotravensk Gymnasium No 3, a school in northeast Ukraine, close to the front lines of the ongoing war. Despite daily disruptions such as air raid sirens and emergency evacuations, the Ukrainian staff and pupils remain committed to education.
Jeff said: “What struck me most was how high their expectations are for maintaining normal school routines, even with the constant disruptions of war. Teachers mentioned that air raid sirens go off multiple times a day, and they have to move all the children to the basement. That level of disruption has become normal for them.”
The two schools are co-delivering a project focused on the joint reading of the book Star Child. They have weekly live video calls, which allow the children to discuss themes, share presentations about their schools and countries, and celebrate cultural events like Easter through photos and creative activities.
Jeff believes the benefits of the programme extend far beyond the classroom. He said: “This project opens our pupils’ eyes to the wider world. It makes global learning real - they’re not just reading about different cultures, they’re talking to children from them. That sort of personal connection builds empathy.
“Having Ukrainian pupils join a few years ago was already a powerful experience. Our pupils have learned to understand and empathise with others who’ve fled their homes. I think the Ukrainian children also benefit from this exposure - especially to real native English speakers who are their age. That’s a huge plus for their language learning.”
While this is the school’s first international project, it certainly won’t be the last.
Jeff said: “We don’t want this to be a one-off. Our goal is to expand the partnership to more classes and subjects next year. There’s so much to learn from each other - not just pupils, but teachers too.”
The UK-Ukraine School partnership programme was launched to mark the 100-year agreement between the UK and Ukraine and has drawn over 750 applications from UK schools since opening in January. Around 3,000 pupils and 100 teachers are currently involved in the programme.
Speaking about its importance and impact in Northern Ireland, Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland said: “This programme shows the power of schools to build real connections - even in the most challenging times. Kilmoyle PS have not only embraced the partnership, but are leading with empathy, creativity, and a genuine desire to connect. Through books, presentations and shared experiences, pupils are building meaningful relationships that will stay with them for years to come. It’s a powerful reminder of the role international connections in education can play in fostering understanding and hope.”
The UK-Ukraine School Partnerships Programme is part of the broader UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, a long-term commitment to deepening cooperation in education, defence, trade, and community ties. In a world gripped by conflict and uncertainty, cultural and educational exchange is a powerful force for peace and understanding. For 90 years, the British Council has worked globally to promote mutual understanding through arts, culture, education, and the English language—including with conflict-affected or fragile states, where it plays a vital role in reaching long-term security and stability, grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.
To find out more about the programme visit: https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/uk-ukraine-partnerships
To find out more about British Council Northern Ireland’s work visit https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/ or follow on X, Facebook, or Instagram