PUPILS came all the way from Spain to take their lessons at a York primary school.

The youngsters were part of a week-long Spanish exchange programme, now in its 12th year, where some 14 children from the Colegio Asunción Rincón in Madrid are welcomed to Robert Wilkinson Academy and into the homes of their English hosts.

Forest school and hunting for mini beasts were part of a packed schedule for the visitors who, coming from a busy inner city, were amazed at the size of the great outdoors close to the school in Strensall.

It was also a chance for the Year 5 and 6 English children, who are part of the exchange, to put into practice some of their Spanish they have been learning at Robert Wilkinson since they were in Early Years.

Kate Pollard, one of the Spanish teachers at Robert Wilkinson, said: “An opportunity like this sits really well with our ethos of nurturing confidence, resilience, enthusiasm and curiosity.

“We have been really proud of the way the children have shown these skills this week.”

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Activities in school have included cook school, a treasure hunt, art workshop, Ceilidh and games workshop. The Spanish students also spent time learning alongside their partners in class. Together with their teachers they also enjoyed a visit to the centre of York for a walk around the city walls with headteacher Mrs Sarah Wright.

Robert Wilkinson children will be going to Madrid in June this year to find out about life in school in Spain.

Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy is part of the York-based Ebor Academy Trust together with Haxby Road and Park Grove Primary Academies in York. Ebor has 22 schools in total with others in Selby and on the Yorkshire Coast and in the East Riding and the Humber. Two more schools in Hessle are set to join Ebor in July.