Today we hosted a class of Japanese students from Sugamo High School, Tokyo.  They were greeted by 30 of our Year 10 students, who together with some of our Sixth Form students had worked on a highly informative and entertaining presentation about life in Cheltenham and British culture.  Central to this, and much to the delight of our visitors a full afternoon tea, complete with cucumber sandwiches, was served.  

Our students toured the visitors around the school, and then took part in workshops which encouraged cultural exchange - from Origami to traditional Japanese fisherman folk dancing.  It's fair to say that a great time was had by all. 

Year 10 and the Sixth Form were exceptional hosts, and were able to forge friendships with the Japanese students even in the brief window of their visits.  They were great ambassadors for Balcarras School, and possibly also Tourism England!

We have a long-standing relationship with the Cotswold Wind Academy, whose founder hoped that the spirit of the Cotswolds, like the wind, would travel from here to Japan as a result of rich cultural exchange and experience.  We are delighted to join in with this process and today was a great example of this in action.