THE run-of-the-mill school exchange trip has been given an international makeover at Brimsham Green School in Yate.

For the first time ever, students are preparing to travel to a different continent to live and work in a partner school.

Sixth formers Claire Stirling and Jack Howell, and former Brimsham student Hannah Gale, are embarking on an African adventure to a slum area of the Ugandan capital Kampala in July.

The trio, accompanied by teacher Pridie Davies, will spend two weeks teaching sport, arts and crafts and English literature at Hosanna Primary School.

Miss Davies, who first visited the school in 2007 after a link was set up by the Friends of Old Sodbury Church, said: "It will be a challenging environment as the children at Hosanna school live in very difficult economic circumstances in slums so it will be a little more extreme than some other exchange trips.

"We have a really strong relationship with the staff and headteacher at Hosanna school and we feel part of a whole network. This is a trial run but we hope to run an exchange programme every two years in the future."

Claire, 18, who is taking a gap year after completing her A Levels this summer, said she had always wanted to do something like this.

"I have always wanted to go travelling, especially to Africa," she said. "It will be such a great experience and a great opportunity."

Jack, also 18, is a qualified Tag rugby coach and hopes to teach Ugandan children some skills of the game.

He said: "Our teachers gave a presentation on the idea of a trip last year and it sounded amazing.

"I already knew a bit about the school and this seemed a good opportunity to see what it is like out there and a trip I will remember forever."

Nineteen-year-old Hannah is currently in the first year of her English Literature degree at Exeter University.

Her mum Jane said: "She is very excited and we think it will be a very rewarding experience for them all."

As well as teaching, the students also hope to lend a hand in the community by helping to sew on machines already delivered by a group from Old Sodbury and mend tables and benches in the school.

"The main thing I am looking forward to is meeting the children and experiencing their culture," added Claire. "Getting to teach them and seeing what their lives are like is a little bit worrying because it will be so different but I know we will be fine."

The trio has raised £5,500 for the trip through a fun day, washing teachers’ cars, bag packing at Sainsbury’s in Emersons Green, a talk by explorer Richard Spink and selling baskets and jewellery made by people in Kampala.