East meets western tastes

JAPANESE students enjoyed a traditional English school dessert of bread and butter pudding when they visited Kimbolton School. A party of 147 students and 10 staff from Omiya High School in Kyushu (one of the top three schools in Japan), visited Kimbolton

JAPANESE students enjoyed a traditional English school dessert of bread and butter pudding when they visited Kimbolton School.

A party of 147 students and 10 staff from Omiya High School in Kyushu (one of the top three schools in Japan), visited Kimbolton as part of an exchange scheme.

Simon Wilson, head of geography at Kimbolton School, was selected along with three other British teachers to represent the UK in the exchange, with the aim of sharing ideas and learning about different education systems around the world.

For many of the Japanese students, this was their first taste of Europe, and the chance to sample life as a school pupil in Britain.

The visiting students were given a tour of Kimbolton School, attended lessons and enjoyed a school lunch. The Omiya High School also gave a 20 minute presentation to the Kimbolton students, including a demonstration of Japanese martial arts, calligraphy, and a rendition of their school song.

Mr Wilson said: "I am extremely pleased with the way the visit went. Both sets of pupils thoroughly enjoyed their day and gained useful insights into another culture. We're looking forward to developing our links with Omiya further in the future."

Many of the Kimbolton pupils have now set up e-mail contacts with their counterparts in Japan, with the possibility of further contact in the future.