Published at 15:47, Wednesday, 27 October 2010

COCKERMOUTH School welcomed guests from Ghana this month as two teachers from Ghanaian schools linked with Cockermouth visited.

OUT OF AFRICA: Pupils at Cockermouth School swap notes with their Ghanaian friends. Clockwise from front: Mark Garratt, Tom Harrison, Ofori Acheampong and Yidan Damoah, from Ghana, Keiran Gray, and Emmeline Long

They arrived with two other Ghanaian representatives and visited Eaglesfield Paddle School and All Saints Schools in Cockermouth and Beacon Hill School, Aspatria.

The Ghanaians taught lessons, delivered assemblies, toured the schools’ facilities, met with the school’s Fairtrade club and visited the University of Cumbria.

Cockermouth School citizenship co-ordinator Mat Richards organised the visit after working on the link between the schools for two years.

He said: “I’m delighted that our Ghanaian colleagues have been able to visit Cockermouth and Aspatria to experience Cumbrian schools.”The link was formed from a history project looking at the legacy of the British Empire. Mat visited Akosombo, Ghana in July 2009 and again this July with other teachers and a group of sixth form students.In the spring, a group of Ghanaian students will visit Cockermouth to study and teach at local schools.

Mat added: “The next stage is to develop projects that pupils at both schools can work on in the same way.

“The exchange is about linking pupils, parents, staff and the schools. It is a two-way exchange where we will benefit and learn enormously from our visiting partners.”

Ofori Addo Acheampong, from Learning Field International School in eastern Ghana, said: “We want this programme to be sustainable and carry on for a long time into the future.”

Yidan Damoah, of Akwamuman Senior High School, also in eastern Ghana, said: “It is a very nice school and well resourced. The pupils are very well disciplined and ready to learn.”

A reception for the guests was held at the eco centre where they met local dignitaries and included a drama production by Cockermouth School students and singing by pupils from All Saints School.

The visits have been funded by the British Council and local fundraising.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk