STUDENTS from a Prudhoe school visited Japan as part of a cultural exchange programme.

It comes after the Great British Sasakwa Foundation (GBSF) chose Prudhoe Community High School as its only school from the UK to go on its Japan Experience Study Tour (JEST).

The school had been put forward in 2018 but the trip had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Twelve students - chosen for their applications and contributions to the school - travelled to the country for 10 days. 

Staff and students spent time with host families being shown around Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, and Shitennoji temple in Osaka. They also met a Buddhist monk in Kyoto and a survivor of the atomic bomb after travelling to Hiroshima by bullet train.

"The main aims of the trip are to experience a different culture but also to build confidence, self-reliance and a global outlook", said assistant headteacher Tom Pollock.

"Our students were treated like royalty with crowds following them wherever they went.

"It was a truly incredible experience which has had a very positive impact on the students and staff.

"They loved spending time with the Japanese school 'buddies' in particular and some have developed firm friendships from this with promises to meet up again in the UK or Japan in the future.

"It was brilliant to have local people explain the customs and context of the places we visited. The country of Japan was beautiful and its people were so welcoming and kind to us."

The school also spent an evening in a traditional Japanese inn on the island of Miyajima and saw its famous floating torii gate and sampled local street food in the form of a Okonomiyaki - a big savoury pancake with cabbage, noodles and egg. Students gave presentations to students at Owa High School in Osaka.