Students from Futaba Junior High School, Japan, have attended three schools in the East Riding as part of a cultural exchange.
Two pupils from Year 8 and two from Year 9 visited Longcroft School and Sixth Form College, Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School. The students experienced a typical day in a UK school and took part in cultural activities along with students from the Beverley schools. Visiting pupils learnt about school life in the UK, and Beverley pupils learnt about school life in Japan.
They were accompanied by Futaba’s Superintendent of Education, Mr Akio Tateshita, Futaba Town Education Board Members, Mr Masato Yamamoto and Mr Masaru Kowata, Junior High School Teacher, Mrs Tomomi Muroi and Futaba Town Assistant Language Teacher, Mr Philip Jellyman.
Philip, a former East Riding pupil, moved to Futaba-machi to teach children English and he now works at the Futaba Town Board of Education. He has facilitated a number of visits for Futaba educational representatives to meet with East Riding education representatives so that young people can take part in cultural exchanges.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “The delegation visited last year, where we talked about inviting students from Futaba to experience school life here in the East Riding. I’m delighted that this was able to happen, and I know that pupils in our Beverley schools will have also learned a lot from the visit, including understanding more about different cultures.”
Shiro Izawa, Mayor of Futaba town: "We sincerely appreciate the cooperation with East Riding Council and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Longcroft School, Beverley Grammar School and Beverley High School for kindly hosting a visit by Futaba Junior High School students.
"Through this international exchange program, we truly look forward to promoting interaction among the students and fulfilling mutual learning experiences between the two towns, deepening their friendship and further strengthening their relationship through continued cultural and educational exchanges."
David Perry, Headteacher at Longcroft School said: "It was a privilege to welcome the Futaba Town delegation to Longcroft School and Sixth Form. It has brought great excitement across our community and it was wonderful to see the children interacting together and embracing this special opportunity.
"As part of our commitment to a holistic education, we actively seek to provide our young people with a global perspective as they prepare to take their next steps in an ever more interconnected modern world. We are hopeful that today marks the start of a relationship that continues to provide wonderful moments for the communities of both Beverley and Futaba as we learn and grow together."
