CLASSROOMS in Tynedale and Africa were connected as teachers from Ethiopia spent time in England this week.

As part of a British Council Connecting Classrooms project, six teachers from Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, visited a number of schools in the Tyne Valley.

Pupils at Corbridge Middle School, Hexham Middle School, Whitley Chapel First School, Chollerton First School, St Joseph’s Middle School in Hexham and Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham spent time with their African visitors.

The teachers in all 12 schools involved in the project have been working on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects relating to clean water and renewable energy. Results from the projects will then be compared by the participating schools.

The work relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Action which is promoted by Corbridge teacher Dr Meryl Batchelder, the first in Northumberland to be accredited with UN climate change teacher status.

While in Tynedale, the teachers were treated to a welcome assembly at Corbridge Middle School, which was attended by Hexham Mayor Bob Hull. In February, six teachers from the Tyne Valley will travel to Addis Ababa during a reciprocal visit.