STAFF and pupils from the Shrubberies School in Stonehouse welcomed students and teachers from six other European countries this week.

Pupils and teachers from schools in Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Belgium, Lithuania and Poland arrived at the school in Stonehouse on Monday, September 23 to start work on the final phase of a two-year Comenius project called Europe – My Country.

The Comenius programme is a European Union educational project which aims to develop knowledge and understanding among young people and education staff of the diversity of European cultures and languages, and the value of this diversity.

Pupils and staff from the different schools all work on one project together over a two year period and during this period pupils involved in the project meet with each other five times to share ideas.

Teachers and children from the Shrubberies have already visited Slovenia, Germany and Poland since the project began a year ago and this week staff and pupils from the partner schools are visiting the school in Stonehouse.

Headteacher Jane Jones said: “Our children are really enjoying being able to meet friends from other places and as staff it is very interesting to learn how special needs education works in other countries.”

Stonehouse mayor Chris Brine welcomed the representatives from the partner schools to the town during an assembly on Monday after pupils spent the morning taking part in a sports day which included long jump, high jump and shooting using water pistols.

During the week long conference students and teachers from the seven countries were planning to visit London, the Forest of Dean and Gloucester Cathedral.