Students at a Bath special school have been learning more about other countries and cultures during a visit by two African teachers.

Three Ways School in Odd Down last week hosted staff from its link school in Uganda so that both sides could share ideas.

Florence Nambobi and Proscivia Kajubi, from Kampala School, which works with pupils with a range of physical and learning difficulties, took part in a traditional Ugandan storytelling session and a PE lesson.

Three Ways headteacher Julie Dyer has urged other schools across Bath and north east Somerset to make similar connections through the Global School Partnerships scheme.

She said: "Although Three Ways and Kampala are 4,000 miles apart we face many similar challenges working with children with special needs and we are learning so much from each other.

"The scheme has made the world outside real and personal for our students. The opportunity to share ideas and work together with our colleagues in Uganda has been so motivating for everyone involved. Schools across the region should take advantage of the funding available to bring this valuable experience into their classrooms – they are welcome to get in touch or visit our website to find out more."

Three Ways Year 7 pupil Damien Miller said: "Last year we learned a lot about the children in Uganda from our teacher who went there. I have found out that the pupils in Kampala school have different needs like us.  It’s exciting to meet the teachers."

Rosie Willcox, a sixth form student at the school, added: "It is good to make friends with people from other countries. I really liked tasting the Ugandan food – we made groundnut and mushroom sauce."

Ugandan teacher Proscovia Kajubi said: "My visit has been an eye-opener. I am really impressed by the early intervention to help children with special needs and the way the parents are involved in their children’s education. I also like the way pupils at Three Ways are involved in decision making."

The Government-funded partnership programme has more than 300 schools signed up across the South West, but is hoping to double that figure by March 2012.

Since their link began in 2006 Three Ways and Kampala have been involved in joint projects about sport, the environment and multi-sensory learning. During the latest trip the two teachers were joined by Kampala's director of education and sport Anne Galiwango, who is keen to speak to other schools that would like to link with the area.

For more details of the DFID Global School Partnerships, go to www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools

Meanwhile, pupils at another Bath school spent their summer holidays volunteering at an African school – and even had the chance to meet Barack Obama's grandmother.

The group of 32 students and seven members of staff from King Edward's School travelled to Wagwer School in Western Kenya to dig foundations, build classrooms and teach children.

They had spent the past year organising events to raise the £35,000 needed for the two-and-a-half week trip.

Physics teacher Dan Wright organised the visit and said he was pleased with the way it had gone.

He said: "I am so proud of our students' achievement, both their hard work fundraising all year and the strength of character they showed while out in rural Western Kenya.

"I think the lasting memory for all will be the friendships formed between King Edward's and Wagwer School students. Some of the students are already talking about going back during a gap year."

Year 12 student Joe Iles said the highlights of the trip included a boat trip on Lake Victoria and visiting US president Barack Obama's grandmother, who lives in Kenya.

He said: "The trip had everything we could have hoped for. As well as being eye-opening and at times challenging, it was fulfilling, uplifting and a really enjoyable experience."

In the next few months teachers from Wagwer will be visiting Bath to find out more about life at King Edward's.