STUDENTS at Hummersknott Academy in Darlington are proving that globe-trotting can be educational, after the school took part in more exchange trips than ever.

Last year, around one hundred students reaped the benefits of taking part in exchange trips, including record numbers of students visiting China and Russia. The exchange trips took place in a year in which the Academy, formerly a specialist language college, also reported record GCSE results in languages.

Countries now visited by Hummersknott Academy students range from Germany and France to China and Russia, and the school is also developing link schools in Spain and Italy.

Hummersknott Academy has reported its best ever results in the broadest range of languages it has ever offered.

Despite the national fall in core subject grades, the proportion of students achieving A* to C in subjects including languages was the highest ever achieved last year.

As well as exchange trips, the school encourages cultural experiences focusing on key dates such as Chinese New Year. Exchange trips to Russia are particularly popular.

Pat Howarth, Principal of Hummersknott Academy, said: "Learning a language has never been more important in today's global economy. Not only does it boost life skills, it can also help students to get a job. The international business community is becoming more diverse and exciting as emergent economies such as China's start to make their presence felt.

"We decided to offer languages that weren't a typical offering such as Russian and Mandarin because we realised that business was asking for these languages in their workplaces. However, languages not only boost job prospects, they also help students learn about different cultures, which can be invaluable in terms of life experience and personal growth."

More Education News