An academy will be giving its students the opportunity to travel around the world and make a difference after being granted funding.

Bower Park Academy, Havering Road, Collier Row, will receive €100,000 from Erasmus+, the European Union’s programme for education, training, youth and sport to enable staff and pupils to visit different countries over the next two years.

Project co-ordinator and vice principal at the academy, Eddie Aylett says he is “overwhelmed” with the news.

He said: “We are delighted to have been successful in Erasmus+ and are looking ahead to starting the project.

“More than 100 students and other young people will benefit from the project and the opportunities it will provide to learn abroad.”

Students will be getting involved in projects which have been formed by the school called Educating Without Borders, Career Steps, Smart School and Smart Generation.

Career Steps will focus on careers and aspirations across the countries, Smart School and Smart Generation will focus on values and preparation of skills for life to create a generation fit for purpose, while Educating Without Borders will be an opportunity to find out more about different teaching ideas and methods that are being used across Europe.

The projects will allow the school community to visit many different countries such as Poland, Romania, Italy, Macedonia, Reunion Island and Turkey to gain vital work experience as well as hands-on experience working with students from across the world.

Students will return with new skills, confidence and help towards their Loric - Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication - a school initiative to teach them about life attributes.

Bower Park Academy’s aim is for all pupils at the school to travel during the next two years.

The EU has committed £12 billion to Erasmus+ between 2014 and 2020.

In the UK, the programme is managed by the Erasmus+ UK National Agency, a partnership between both the British Council and Ecorys UK.

Principal Stuart McLaughlin said: “Travelling abroad and learning about different countries and cultures is part of our pledge. “We believe the Erasmus funding will provide students with an excellent opportunity to develop their cultural capital and help prepare them for their adult lives.”

For any further information about funding opportunities, visit erasmusplus.org.uk