Exchange visit at Little Common School

The visit, which comes two weeks after Little Common year six students had themselves spent a day at Nelson Primary School, gave the 10 & 11 year olds a chance to visit the seaside; which for some of the London visitors was an extra special first time treat.

Little Common school class teacher Clare Ward explained that the pupil's had been communicating with each other by either writing or emailing since February, and that for some, the exchange visits had proved to be something of a culture shock.

She said: "A lot of the student's had never been to a beach or seen the sea before so it was quite a big culture shock for them - just as it was for some of the student's from our school when they visited the Nelson School in London recently."

During the day long visit to Little Common the student's were paired up with their pen-pals, and whilst visiting the beach, were given a questionnaire which Clare said had the emphasis on friendship. She said: "The student's were asked that, if there was one thing in the world they could change, what that would be, and they then discussed the answers with each other."

After lunch a performance of year six's adaptation of Hamlet was presented on the stage in the main hall.

Clare said the day and the concept behind the pen-pals, and subsequent exchange visits, had been the idea of the Principles of both schools concerned, adding: "This is a whole new venture for Little Common school and has been very successful. All the children involved have enjoyed themselves as all their lives are very different, and we are planning for links, such as these, to continue in the future."