Learn to Live: Hundreds of schools across UK sign up to twin with students around the world

Hundreds of schools have signed up to twin their pupils with students around the world following the launch of The Independent's Learn to Live campaign.

The newspaper has encouraged schools across the UK to join a government-funded two-way exchange programme which offers similar opportunities to those available through our own initiative.

Since The Independent's coverage launched, more than 330 schools have signed up to the scheme Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning (CCGL), which is run by the British Council and backed by the Department for International Development.

Learn to Live aims to increase empathy and understanding between pupils of all backgrounds, and let children whose lives have been devastated by war know they have not been forgotten. It has already linked four London schools with children affected by war in Jordan, Iraq and the Central African Republic. The pupils are sharing lessons for three hours a week and devising joint creative and musical projects – with a London-wide art project led by Andria Zafirakou of Alperton Community School, winner of the Global Teacher Prize.

Through CCGL, schools can apply for funding for reciprocal visits, help with completing shared projects – on topics such as solving world hunger – and community events. More than 60,000 teachers worldwide will get training, and the project aims to reach more than three million pupils in the UK and across the globe over the next three years.

Year 3 class teacher Eliza Lock, 30, was inspired to sign up her primary school, Alec Reed Academy in Northolt, after reading our stories as she travelled home on the underground.

The school had never previously embarked on an international partnership, but now Connecting Classrooms staff are in the process of twinning it with a partner in the Middle East or sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms Lock said: “Both myself and my colleague spotted [The Independent and Evening Standard’s coverage] on the Tube. We came into school on the first week back in September and I said, ‘Oh I saw this thing in the holiday,’ she said, ‘I’ve seen it too.’ We thought it was great so I said, ‘Let’s sign up.’

“We went to the website and are waiting to be partnered with a school at the moment.

“For our children, the partnership will help them appreciate what they have, and give more awareness of what is going on across the world. Hopefully, that will stick in their minds as they grow up and they will continue to work towards making the world a better place.

“In our school we have children who have come from Syria and other [war-affected] countries, so it is even more relevant. They want to get involved and to know what they can do to help.”

Darren Coyle, global programme director at the British Council, said: “Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning provides our young people with an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in an increasingly global society.

“Thanks to The Independent and Evening Standard's Learn to Live campaign, we are pleased that even more schools are aware of the huge impact these connections can have on pupils, teachers and the local community. We hope even more schools across London, the UK and around the world will continue to sign up to take part.”