TEACHERS and pupils welcomed 50 Japanese students when they joined classes at Wyedean School.

The visitors spent a day at the Sedbury school, attended by Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, to experience life as a student in an English secondary school.

Wyedean has a strong reputation for promoting international learning and achieved the British Council International School Award last September. 

The Japanese students, from Ritsumeikan High School and Reitaku Junior High School near Tokyo, attended lessons in the morning, integrating into the classes and getting involved in subjects such as science, maths, English, art and Spanish.

In the afternoon they put on a display of Japanese culture, with eight stations displaying different traditional games for pupils to try and learn about.

They also performed a traditional Soran Bushi dance, taught in many schools across Japan as part of the curriculum.

It depicts ocean waves, fishermen dragging nets, pulling ropes and lifting luggage over their shoulders, and includes the words “Dokkoisho!” and ‘Soran’ shouted at intervals to encourage the fisherman during their work.

Global co-ordinator Rebecca Simpson, who welcomed the visitors when they arrived from their Cheltenham base, said: “This was an excellent opportunity, not only for the Japanese students to experience a day at a British school, but also for our students to learn about Japanese culture.

“All students got along really well and most exchanged email addresses to keep in contact. We really hope the Japanese students enjoyed their visit as much as we did.”

School principal Rob Ford said: “It is extremely important that schools emphasise the global dimension, even more so in order to provide our school community with the opportunity to interact, learn, engage and have compelling learning days.

“The visits from our partner schools in Japan are a wonderful example of our globalised society that celebrates our cultures, diversities and similarities.

“It is an example of the international culture and ethos of Wyedean School and our aspirations as a high-performing world class school in our local communities, both sides of the border.”

The visits have been so successful that Wyedean School will welcome another 35 students from Japan in July.