Ivan's Ukhov's school - No 108, Russia

World Class 2012 in partnership with the British Council tell the stories of the schools where the dreams begin.

School 108 is twinning with Lipson Community College in Plymouth and Fairlands Middle School in Somerset

School No 108's sporty pupils play ice hockey in winter

At School 108 the pupils' hard work in lessons is balanced by their wide range of extra-curricular activities.

SCHOOL STATISTICS

Students - 1000, ages three to 17

Teachers - 97

Where in the world? Yekaterinburg, Russia

Languages - Russian, English, German and French

The city of Yekaterinburg in central Russia is the capital of the Urals region and lies on the border between Asia and Europe. It has a population of more than one million and plays an important strategic role in communications between the European and Asian parts of the country.

The school's 1,000 pupils aged between three and 17 learn English, German and French in addition to their native Russian. Outside lessons, students are kept busy with sport, drama, dance and music.

Head teacher, Natalia Shubina, says that the school wishes there were more hours in the day to fit everything in.

Ivan's school days

Ivan attended the school from 1993 until 2000, after which time he transferred to the Olympic Reserve School in Yekaterinburg to complete his secondary school studies and step up his training.

TALKING TEACHER

Ivan was popular student as well as being well organised, disciplined and motivated

Natalia Shubina, head teacher

The high jumper was a popular pupil and Ivan is remembered by his teachers as being polite, disciplined, organised and motivated.

His athletic ability was obvious from a young age, says Ms Shubina, and Ivan was involved in a range of team sports but showed particular talent in basketball, jumping and throwing.

Ivan now lives and trains in Moscow but his parents keep the school up to date with his progress.

School sports stars

Pupils practise a wide range of sports including rhythmic gymnastics, rock climbing, basketball, ice hockey, athletics and swimming.

The school's sports facilities include two gyms and a stadium which is used for gymnastic and football in summer and skating in winter.

We hope that our students always display good sportsmanship

Natalia Subina, head teacher

No 108 are proud of Ivan and other students who have gone on to sporting success and display good sportsmanship. Other former pupils include Russian aerobics champions and international rowers.

Getting ready for 2012

No 108 see the Olympics as the culmination of the effort of sportspeople, coaches and also teachers who support athletes and give them the flexibility they need to fit training around schoolwork.

The school's 97 teachers look forward to using the 2012 Olympics as a means of inspiring their current students to realise their sporting ambitions.

In the run up to 2012, the school will be staging mass sporting events, Olympic quizzes, concerts and plan to make a film to celebrate the sporting achievements of current and former pupils.