PUPILS at Archway School have been enjoying an international flavour to the week’s lessons while they play host to two visitors from their partner school in Lebanon.

Teacher Marina Mansour and student Joseph Samaha, 16, from the Choueir Secondary School in Lebanon, are spending the week at Archway, talking to classes and assemblies about the school and daily life in the Middle Eastern country. The link was set up in June last year and this is the first face-to-face meeting between the two partner schools.

Archway’s assistant head Rachel O’Bryan said: “The link was set up through the British Council and we hope it will take forward our international work, linking with several curriculum areas. So far it has not been possible to send staff or students to visit the Choueir School, due to the ongoing civil unrest in Syria, but we have been able to welcome our visitors.”

She continued: “On Monday they were working with the sixth form, interviewing pupils for the roles of student ambassadors. Between 20 and 30 pupils were selected from across the school, and they’re now being interviewed. Those chosen will receive training and will represent Archway at the Youth Summit in Birmingham, organised by international charity Free the Children, in July.”