A further eight Isle of Wight schools have formed international links with schools in China following a successful visit to the Far East.

A trip to the Chongqing (Pronunciation in Notes to Editors) region took place between 15 – 25 October as part of an annual event organised by the Isle of Wight Global Partnerships group.

Headteachers from Wootton, Gurnard, Niton, St Mary’s CE, Gatten & Lake and Shalfleet primary schools, Osborne Middle School and the Deputy Head from Medina High School met their Chinese counterparts during the trip and established official links.

They also shared cultural differences and teaching methods and took the opportunity to view lessons and school facilities.

While the group were there, they also met representatives of top travel agencies and the Tourism Bureau of Chongqing. During the meeting, they showed a DVD that displayed all the best the Isle of Wight has to offer, including tourist destinations, the local landscape and geology, leisure and sports, local businesses and major events such as the Isle of Wight Music Festival.

They also spoke of how the Isle of Wight has miles of sandy beaches, with Chongqing being many miles from the coastline.

The trip now brings the total number of Isle of Wight schools with international links to Chinese schools in Chongqing to 25.

Isle of Wight Council Leader David Pugh said

“All English schools are expected to have active local, national and international partnerships with other schools and this demonstrates the Island’s schools are very keen to embrace this.

“The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the council actively encourages schools to pursue links because we believe it is very important that our students develop a personal and comprehensive understanding of other countries, cultures and societies”

Chris Davis from Isle of Wight Global Partnerships went on the trip and said

“This was the third group of Island headteachers to visit Chongqing and the trip was very successful with more visits planned for next year.

“The two Chinese parties we have welcomed here in the past were blown away by the Island and its attractions. As we had agreed to broaden our links beyond education, this inspired us to promote the Island as a tourist destination.

“We suggested that a combined tour of London and the Isle of Wight would be an excellent ‘Introduction to England’ package, encompassing both the buzz, sights and history of the city with the peace, beauty and tranquillity of the Isle of Wight and our Chinese friends were very enthusiastic”

Work is underway to organise a return trip for several Chinese teachers from Chongqing to visit the Isle of Wight in March 2010.

The trip to China was funded by the British Council Area Linking Visit Programme.