Headteachers and teachers from seven Cornish primary and secondary schools have been visiting partner schools in Málaga. The three-day visit, which was funded by the British Council, was led by Terry Lello (Lib Dem), the council's lead member for children, young people and families. The schools taking part in the visit included Callington Community College and Stoke Climsland School. This visit to Málaga is the latest in a series of events and activities involving schools from both areas since Cornwall's Service for Children Young People and Families signed a memorandum of understanding with the Málaga education authority at a ceremony in the Spanish Embassy in October 2006. Last year, seven Cornish schools signed twinning agreements with schools in Malaga. 'Since then, several teachers from Málaga have enjoyed placements in schools in Cornwall, spending a term or more helping with and observing lessons, perfecting their English and getting to know their Cornish colleagues,' explained Geoff Grigg, Cornwall's County Adviser for Modern Languages. 'Pupils are also benefiting from contact with Spanish projects via email, video-conferencing and exchanges. The link supports the rapid growth of Spanish in both primary and secondary schools.' Mrs Lello hopes the trip will mark a new phase in the growing relationship between the two areas. 'This is a very exciting long-term project which will benefit pupils and teachers in both areas for many years to come,' she said.
