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18
Mar 2024
A Knaresborough secondary school is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foreign exchange programme.
King James’s School launched the exchange programme with its German partner school, Bruder Grimm Gesamtschul in Bebra, in 1974.
It came after Knaresborough was twinned with the town, based in Hesse, back in 1969.
Over the last five decades, both schools have held annual exchange programmes, whereby pupils visit each other at their neighbouring schools to develop friendships and improve language skills.
However, former languages teacher and UK founder of the school’s programme, Alan Hemsworth, said the programme “nearly didn’t happen at all”, adding:
Two pupils even stayed in a caravan at the bottom of someone’s garden, Mr Hemsworth added.
This year’s cohort of pupils will visit Bebra this month to commemorate the anniversary, as well as attending a special event in aid of the big birthday.
Pupils will sport hoodies made for the occasion.
Mrs Allison, one of the school’s languages teachers, said:
Staff also recounted the days when English and German students would contact each by pen and paper. They said students now maintain friendships over social media and many meet each other virtually before meeting face-to-face.
Headteacher Mrs Martin also said:
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