THE story of the Blaydon Races and the legend of the Lambton Worm could be on the curriculum for pupils in Germany this week

Music teacher Joyce Shaw, 57, has won a grant to teach North-East folklore in a German school, in a pilot project for a cultural exchange.

She is one of only two teachers from the region and 18 from throughout England taking part in the project, which is sponsored by the British Council.

She has swapped Greencroft School in Annfield Plain for the town of Bergdorf, near Hanover, for two weeks to teach North-East folklore through music.

Before she left she said: "I think northern Germany is a lot like North-East England - the people have the same sense of humour.

"I am looking forward to teaching them about the Blaydon Races and the Lambton Worm and also learning about their folklore and folk music.

"The town of Hamlyn, where the legend of the Pied Piper comes from, is not far from Bergdorf, so I am sure they will have plenty to teach me."

She also hopes to exchange ideas of good practice.

"At Greencroft School we run a peer mentor scheme, where older pupils help others and I am hoping to take this over with me," she added.

She said she was also keen to find out more about the German system that makes parents pay for extra lessons if their child is lazy or disruptive.

"Over there, the pupils and their parents have to account for themselves, rather than the schools doing it through league tables.

"If a child has an attitude problem, the parents have to sort it out."

The trip is not without sacrifice. She has to compile a 20-page report to the British Council on her return and has given up her February half-term holiday to take part.

She will also be getting used to early starts - lessons in German schools begin at 7.30am.

But she is determined to make the visit a success - despite not being able to speak a word of the language. She was the only participant who couldn't speak German, but took a crash course before leaving