TEACHERS took a ten-day trip to gain an insight into education in China.

Five members of staff from King James I Community College, in Bishop Auckland, joined a tour of a school in Shanghai.

Led by Caroline Earlam, arts advisor for Durham County Council, they examined the role of the creative arts in Shanghai schools and colleges.

The issue is especially relevant to King James, which recently won specialist status as a media arts college.

Teachers were taken on half-day visits to selected primary and secondary schools, where they observed lessons, met staff and taught classes.

They found there was a mutual respect between pupil and teacher, there were few behaviour problems despite class sizes of between 50 and 60 and truancy did not exist.

Teachers are on annual contracts and are proving themselves at all stages of their careers, while classrooms are unheated.

Chinese couples are allowed only one child and must pay for schooling, books and other equipment.

Fred Johnston, head of maths at King James, said: "This means that each child has the support and attention of two parents and four grandparents. This drives them to succeed at school."

Drama teacher Stephen Elliott found that pupils followed rules easily, but struggled to express themselves freely.

The school hopes to establish long-term links with Number Four School in Shanghai's Xuhi district.

Helen Large, science teacher and head of year eight, is setting up an e-mail pen pal scheme.

Also on the trip were head of leisure and recreation Simon Whitehead and head of art Ian Wright.