A SCHOOL exchange visit allowed pupils to gain an insight into a different culture to their own.

William de Ferrers School in Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, welcomed a group of students and staff from its partner school in Chaiyaphum, Thailand, last week as part of the Tiger Woods Dreams and Teams project.

The partnership was established two years ago and in February last year a group of nine sixth form students visited Maungphayalaewittaya School along with Russell Ayling, headteacher, and Katherine Lewis, deputy head of PE, to assist in English lessons, helping Thai students with their pronunciation as well as taking in the sights and getting a flavour of Thai culture around Bangkok and Chaiyaphum.

So this time it was the South Woodham Ferrers school’s turn to host a visit and a number of local families opened their homes to the students during their stay.

It was jointly arranged between Miss Lewis and Pam Glover, head of sixth form.

The visitors took part in a range of activities, joining in with classes at the school as well as spending a day in London and going out in the evenings to explore the local area.

Mrs Glover said: “It’s gone brilliantly.

“It opens our students’ eyes to different cultures, working alongside students from another country has really got them involved and they responded very positively.

“The Thai students’ English also improved in the short time they were here - they were a delight to work with, so polite and very gentle.”

A second student trip to Thailand is hoped to be organised next year.