By Matt Scorer
Hope Valley College was visited by a 66 strong student contingent from its Danish partner school Frederikssund recently.
The students, accompanied by 5 members of Danish teaching staff, spent a fortnight in the Hope Valley. They split time between following a timetable at the College and a programme of outdoor pursuits at Edale Youth Hostel. The Danish students were in the year 9 and year 10 teaching range and were each assigned to a teaching class which was suitable for their age.Principal Bernie Hunter said: "The visit from our Danish counterparts was a huge success and further cemented the excellent relationship we have with Frederikssund school. The trip offers the students from Federikssund the opportunity to experience English culture and education as well as improve their language skills. Additionally it allows our students to socialise with people from a different background to themselves and hopefully encourages them to find out about a different culture."
Each Danish student had a Hope Valley College student as a "buddy" to help them with any issues and help them immerse themselves in College life and friendship groups. In addition to the formal programme there were also to informal evenings for the Danish students and their buddies to socialise together.
Mr. Hunter added: "The buddy system worked really well and played a really important role in helping our Danish friends settle in quickly to College life - which helped them get the most out of the experience. Hopefully the experience will have provided both our sets of students with many happy memories as well as some important experiences that will broaden their cultural outlook on life."
The fortnight visit was the latest in a series of events which have taken place between the two schools over the past couple of years.
Over the summer the College band stayed at Frederiksuund as they toured the Copenhagen area playing at several venues and last year a similar visit from Danish students took place which saw the two schools compete in an international sports day. Last year Frederiksuund student Felix Jensen spent a year at the College gaining 7 GCSEs including English, Maths and Science.
There are currently ongoing discussions between the two institutions over a teacher exchange programme so that both parties can gain insight into different educational systems and methods of teaching.
Mr Hunter said: "We are currently enjoying an excellent working relationship with Frederiksuund which is mutually beneficial. We are exploring ways in which both sides can maximise what they gain from the relationship and we are very excited about the possibilities the partnership has to offer."
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