Ian Clarke A group of Dereham students are getting the dream chance to explore one of the world's most exciting cultural cities - and build up links for youngsters for years to come.

Ian Clarke

A group of Dereham students are getting the dream chance to explore one of the world's most exciting cultural cities - and build up links for youngsters for years to come.

Ten pupils from years 10 and 11 and four staff at Neatherd High School are heading to Shanghai next month to further develop links with partner schools in the Xuhui district.

They will be focussing on art and culture and helping Neatherd further expand its speciality as a language college

Marion Johns, subject leader for art and design, said: "It will be an outstanding visual experience that should affect their whole GCSE course and probably later in to life.”

Neatherd's assistant head teacher in charge of the language college Sara French said: “It opens up the students' eyes to completely different ways of doing things and shows them language and experiences outside of Europe.

“We are always interested to hear from any other schools who have embarked upon this kind of project and are happy to share our ideas further.”

Sam Cox, 16, said: “I really want to see the architecture of Shanghai. It is only in a matter of years that it has become this incredible metropolis. It is something we will probably only get to do once.”

Sarah King, 15, said: “I am really looking forward to seeing what their culture is like. When I told my friends I was going to China they just said 'wow!'”

The school has got funding from the British Council but the pupils are still having to pay towards the trip and are doing fund-raising including holding a Chinese meal.

Sarah along with Courtenay Head, also 15, are organising the meal at the sixth form college, where Sarah's mum Helen works and she is cooking the food.

There is also to be an art auction on Thursday October 9, 6.30-8pm in the school sports hall, where some fully framed works produced by pupils over about 15 years will go under the hammer.

In addition the school is trying to find a Chinese teacher to run Chinese lessons at the school.

*Anyone who can help with sponsorship, wants information on the auction or can help with Chinese lessons should contact 01362 697981.

Website: www.neatherd.org. China blog: http://shanghai.neatherd.org.