09/12/25
The Ryleys School has established an international school partnership with Colégio Ceten in Brazil, supported and facilitated by the Global School Alliance.
This exciting partnership opens doors for pupils to connect with peers overseas, explore global perspectives, deepen cultural understanding and better understand the wider world.
Last month, students met online for their first exchange project, sharing the national traditions that make their cultures unique. Colégio Ceten showcased the colour and energy of the Brazil Carnaval, while The Ryleys introduced the uniquely British celebration of Bonfire Night.
Headteacher Julia Langford, said: “Building global links with our partner school, Colégio Ceten, in Brazil brings powerful benefits to our pupils and staff, enriching learning through real connections with peers around the world enabling our pupils to appreciate diverse perspectives.
“This partnership promotes cultural understanding and empathy, strengthens communication skills, and makes lessons more engaging by allowing students to compare experiences, share ideas, and work together on meaningful projects. It will also help the pupils develop digital literacy and a sense of global citizenship, while giving teachers fresh perspectives and opportunities for collaboration.
“By forming this international partnership, the school community expands its horizons and prepares The Ryleys School pupils for success in an increasingly interconnected world.”
The partnership has already engaged the whole school, with a recent Brazil Day giving pupils from Reception to Year 6 the chance to explore Brazilian culture through music, dance, art and food. Students enjoyed learning a samba routine, creating colourful carnival masks and sampling traditional Brazilian snacks.
Fernanda Figueiredo, International Coordinator at Colégio Ceten, expressed: “This collaboration has also been incredibly valuable for the development of our students’ English language skills. By communicating with peers from another country in real situations and genuine exchanges, they gain confidence, fluency, and motivation to continue advancing.”
Bruno Augusto, Director at Colégio Ceten, added: “This cultural exchange sparked genuine curiosity and excitement. The students were eager to ask questions, compare traditions, and reflect on how celebrations express the identity and values of each country. It was especially meaningful for our group to see Brazilian students represented and actively participating in the session, creating a sense of pride and belonging. The entire experience reinforced how powerful international connections can be in building confidence, intercultural understanding, and a broader worldview.”
