Last week Riverside Secondary School had a special visit as they welcomed students and staff from a school in China.

Visiting from Beijing Capital Normal High School, the Chinese students spent three days at the Barking School to experience English culture and school life.

As the students wanted to learn about life in an English school, each pupil was buddied up with a young person from the Riverside on their first day and spent a large part of their visit in lessons with their buddies. 

Andy Roberts, Headteacher of Riverside School said: "Riverside School was delighted to be hosting a group of Chinese students last week. Building a partnership with international fellows highlights our school's diversity and strong international links. 

“It was an opportunity for our students to assist the Chinese learners with their English communication skills as well as immersing them in the British culture. Our students enthusiastically learned how to speak and write in Chinese and this international partnership is a gateway to learning a new language and exposing students to different cultures from across the globe."

During the visit, the students also toured the school, took part in a careers workshop with information about university, a discounted book fair and group activities. 

The visit finished with a celebration assembly where the Chinese and English students gave feedback on what they gained from the visit and certificates were also presented to students.

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter Cabinet Member of Educational Attainment and School Improvement said: “This sounded like a great few days down at Riverside School and I hope the students involved took a lot away from the visit.

“It is important for our young people to experience difference cultures from around the world and I hope there are more opportunities like this for other young people in the borough.”