A Welsh school has strengthened its links with the Middle East through a visit from its Yemeni partners.

Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen, Wales formed a link with two schools - Baghdad Boys' School and Rabeia Al Adawiyahin Girls' School in Sana’a in Yemen three years ago as part of the British Council’s “Connecting Classrooms” scheme.

Initially teachers visited each other and met for a conference in Kuwait.

“The Welsh and Yemini teachers got on really well,” explained Peter Williams, the international co-ordinator at Ysgol Dinas Brân. “So I went to Yemen a year ago to cement the link.”

The Challenge

This summer, Ysgol Dinas Brân welcomed schools from all over the World, including Yemen, for the World Youth Skills Challenge.

The event brought together young people to learn together and compete at challenges devised by the students.

The challenges included sports, art, dance, cooking and an eco-challenge where students made their country’s flag out of recycled materials.

The project involved schools from all over the world including Germany, Spain, Romania and the Czech Republic.

“Our partner schools in Ghana and Uganda planned to come to the event as well,” explained Peter Williams.

"Unfortunately there were problems with visas. We found it very difficult to arrange a visit from non-EU countries but hope our Ghanaian twin school will be able to visit us this September.”

The next challenge will be held in Germany. The organisers are hoping to increase the number of countries taking part and plan to invite partner schools in Japan and Korea.

Connecting online

Ysgol Dinas Brân plans to improve its links to schools in the Middle East by working together on an online forum. The project will include schools in Yemen, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The students will use online resources to learn Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages and work on preparations for the next Youth Skills Challenge.

How did they do that?

Ysgol Dinas Brân linked with their partner school in Yemen via the British Council's Connecting Classrooms scheme.

You can find out more about the World Youth Skills Challenge on Ysgol Dinas Brân's website.

Join BBC World Class and our partners will help you twin.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.