A trip of a lifetime will be had by a teacher who is visiting African school to deliver £800 worth of football kits and sports equipment raised by Wickford pupils.

Year three and four teacher at Grange Primary School, Lyn Corderoy is going to northern Ghana to hand over the gift to Logre school near Bolgatanga, which shares a close relationship with the Wickford school.

The funds were raised at the Elder Avenue school after junior pupils took part in a sponsored stay awake for 12 hours.

Children at the two schools frequently write letters, share traditions and learn about each others countries as part of the schools' link.

A Ghana Club meets every week and carries out special projects on the country and comes up with fundraising ideas. They have also discussed issues such as fair trade and have written letters to the Government.

Miss Corderoy is a global teacher and spent six weeks at another Ghana school, Sakorit also near Bolgatanga, in 2001.

The visit was part of the global teacher programme, run by Link Community Development. A total of 180 UK teachers went to Uganda, South Africa and Ghana as part of the scheme.

Since then, Miss Corderoy is keen to prompt understanding of African culture at the school.

She said: "A global dimension to the curriculum is essential. Pupils are very positive about the Ghana club and they find it very interesting. The relationship between the two schools is based on friendship: it's not just learning about the poor people in Africa.

"The governors and teachers are very supportive of our work with Ghana. It is an essential part of the school's ethos.

"The school's caretaker, Bob Lingwood is also going to southern Ghana with his partner to carry out some carpentry work at a school library."

Published Monday May 31, 2004

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