Values and beliefs have helped steer my 30 year journey of primary education in Scotland, which has included 2 years working in Sudan and Malawi, courtesy of a career break from Fife Council Education Service. After working with Sudanese and Malawian educators and with so many experiences to unpack, returning to my post as Headteacher of Pitteuchar East Primary and Nursery Centre I found people, events, and context had changed. I felt a responsibility for sharing perspectives and the world I'd experienced.

The first step was to establish a school partnership agreement based on shared values. Chinua Achebe presented this as a formidable challenge: 'The key word is partnership. It is also the source of the problems because no definition of partnership can exclude the notion of equality.' Albert Camus provides insight on the quality of the relationship:' Don't walk in front of me, or behind me. Walk beside me and be my friend.' And from Julius Nyerere, the former Tanzanian President, 'Take every penny you have set aside in aid for Tanzania and spend it in the UK explaining to people the facts and causes of poverty.'

With these principles in mind, we established our global school partnership agreement with Namadzi School in southern Malawi. Letter exchanges over 2 years and exchange of video footage provided a strong base of mutual respect and understanding, and reciprocal visits followed through a British Council grant. Enterprise education, exchange visits and learning from and about each other emerged as key activities. A Ghanaian artist worked with staff and pupils planning and designing a DVD and 6 fusion songs celebrating life in Scotland and Malawi which were presented at school/community events. Songwriters worked with pupils in recording a series of songs celebrating Glenrothes and the school's Malawi link. Funds raised from the sale of the DVD funded an enterprise at Namadzi School, creating a school garden. More recently pupils and parents have talked about their global school partnership at local schools and a national seminar, highlighting strong links to A Curriculum for Excellence.

Both schools are committed to:

• furthering pupils' knowledge and understanding of the culture in both Malawi and Scotland;
• developing pupils awareness of how they can contribute positively towards their community and that of others;
• sharing good practice in learning and teaching;
• exchanging visits.

The visit from a senior teacher from Namadzi School for 10 days provided all 300 learners in the Scottish school with first hand knowledge about Malawi, and about life in Namadzi. Games and songs featured strongly in the children's learning. A partnership agreement focussed on joint enterprise activities. In Malawi in 2008 and 2009 the Standard 5 and 6 classes planted seeds and grew a range of vegetables which were sold in the local market.

In the past 4 years, 10 Malawian visitors have talked to classes and contributed to learning about the nation and embedding the partnership. Recent learning has focussed on awareness of improving health in Chiradzulu, and in eradicating leprosy. Over £2300 was raised for LEPRA, which funds field workers at each health centre in Namadzi District.

The partnership agreement was reviewed in July 2009, with a shift to sustainable development - art enterprise and the production of baskets at Namadzi, and recycling materials at Pitteuchar East. Children from Malawi will write letters in Chichewa and English to promote language sharing. Partnership coordinating teams have been established in both schools. Next steps also include applying for a Global Schools Curriculum Project Grant.

For Pitteuchar East and its community, benefits are best captured by Stewart, P.7:

'Reading the letters, seeing the video and hearing from the children in Namadzi is different from the things you read in books and see on TV. It's more direct than that. It's real information.'

and from a parent of a pupil about to complete Primary 7:

'What they've learnt won't stop when our kids go to high school. I can see Connor taking an interest in world issues, campaigns, and fund raising in years to come. When he's a student at college, he'll not forget his pen pal in Malawi and what he's learnt.'

With the ingredients of a sustainable partnership, both school communities will strive to continue this valuable and relevant learning opportunity for all our children and young people. Everyone agrees: there can be no richer task. Tiyende pamodzi!

Ian Macauley is Headteacher of Pitteuchar East Primary and Nursery Centre in Fife.