The Party Partnership - schools linking from the West Midlands to the West Indies

How do you react when the BBC decides they want to send you to a Caribbean Island?

“Do I have to?” was obviously the first thing I said. But before you start writing your letters to ‘Points of View’, let me assure you this was no sun, sea, and sand vacation.

World Olympic Dreams had been planning to visit their athlete Jehue Gordon, the national 400 metre hurdler where he lives on the outskirts of Trinidad and Tobago's capital, Port of Spain.

On top of studying for a degree in Sports Management Jehue’s training rigorously for the chance to grab a gold in London.

Overcoming hurdles

Jehue’s story is truly inspiring. Growing up in an area where crime is rife and figures of gang related murders compete with some of the most dangerous in the world, it’s easy for young people to drift down the wrong path.

Against the odds, Jehue has made something of himself, becoming a role model to his country and the younger generation of Trinidad.

And that’s why I’m here. I’m visiting the schools Jehue attended to find out how the World Olympic Dreams project is inspiring not only his schools in Trinidad, but those partnered with them in Britain.

Here's Jehue with a sneak peek...

Partnership Progress

I’ve just come back from a visit to Maraval R.C Primary School, twinned with Perry Wood Primary in Worcester.

Since Maraval teacher Mecrena Feliz-Letren visited Worcester after Olympic Dreams Live in London, both schools have been developing ideas on how the partnership can flourish.

A massive display of the project grabs your attention as your enter Maraval’s forecourt, with pictures of Worcester and a uniform from Perry Wood in the centre of the display.

Party Partnership

Maraval pupils have been learning about all the countries involved in the World Olympic Dreams project through carnival themed activities.

Trinidad’s carnival is one of the biggest in the world. For two days, thousands of locals and a good sprinkling of tourists flood the streets in an explosion of colour and extravagant costumes. The pupils at Maraval had made carnival head-dresses representing different countries around the world.

After the prize-giving of the best head-dress, Maraval were shown questions recorded from Perry Wood pupils. Maraval pupils were thrilled to see their counterparts from the other side of the world and they have in turn recorded their answers for Perry Wood to see.

Tomorrow we’ll be visiting Belmont Secondary School for Boys, where they plan to show us how the Trinidad carnival spirit is spreading to their partner school Sandwell Academy, also in Worcester.

Keep checking back to BBC World Class to find out what happened.