NINE teachers from Darlington schools went on a fact- finding visit to South Africa as part of a national effort to learn from education systems abroad.

As well as learning about a range of schools in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto, the teachers were able to kit out two school football teams in the colours of English clubs, thanks to generous Darlington youngsters.

The team, led by Carmel RC Technology College assistant headteacher John Thorley, visited nine centres, ranging from private schools to township schools, in five days during the half-term break.

The Government allocated Darlington Borough Council, the local education authority, funding to organise the trip as part of the Teachers International Professional Development (TIPD) scheme.

Reports of the mission's findings will be presented to the local education authority, Government and other schools, as well as being posted on the Internet as a research document.

A Darlington Football Club shirt, signed by the Quakers' first team, was presented to the head boy and his deputy at Glen High School, Pretoria, the country's administrative capital, by Richard Biddle, from Carmel College.

Joining Mr Thorley and Mr Biddle on the trip were Helen Keogh, also from Carmel, Gerry Connor, of St Augustines' RC Primary School, Liz McCardie and Rod Davies, of Hummersknott School and Language College, and Grainne Archbold, Maureen Geaney and Patricia West, all of St Teresa's Primary School.