Student language leaders from Sybil Andrews Academy have welcomed a cohort of Chinese pupils as part of a special cultural visit.

The group of students from the Tongi University Experimental School in Shanghai spent last week at the Bury St Edmunds secondary school.

A programme of activities included studying alongside the student leaders, visiting local primary schools and even joining up with the award-winning cheerleader squad at the school.

The tables were also reversed when the Chinese students taught Mandarin to some of Sybil Andrews’ Year 7 students.

Teacher Vita Minichiello-Price, who helped organise the visit, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to integrate themselves with another culture and educational experience.

“We are proud to have 48 language leaders within our school whose role is to promote language learning both within Sybil Andrews and via our links with our local primary schools. They, and the entire school, have benefitted from the visit.

“We would like to thank all the staff and students from Tongi University Experimental School and also Rob Walden, from the Real World Education Group, for helping to facilitate the visit.”