CHINESE head teachers, who have to cope with 11,000 students in class sizes of up to 200, have been researching education in the North-East.
A delegation from Cheng Du City was given the grand tour by prefects at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science.
Twenty head teachers are in the region on a three week fact finding mission organised by Newcastle University’s North Leadership Centre.
Head boy James Allison and his prefects took the VIPs on a tour of a school rated one of the most improved in the country.
He said: “At DSMS the pupils move to the teachers. But in China there are so many children in each school and class that it is safer for the students to stay where they are and the teachers to go to them.
“The head teachers were very interested in the way we do things at DSMS and asked a lot of questions.”
A spokesman for the group said: “The school is very good, very beautiful, very impressive. We will make full use of our experience here. We think very highly of the head teacher who is industrious and creative and does everything for the good of the school.”
Head teacher Calvin Kipling added: “I am delighted that the head teachers took so much from their visit. With class sizes of up to 200 they certainly have their work cut out.
“We try and expose our students to cultural exchanges to broaden their view of the world, which is why we are organising a first ever expedition to Africa.
“Our students were fascinated to meet the Chinese head teachers, to hear them speak Mandarin and gain an insight into education across the other side of the world.”
