FIVE County Durham primary school headteachers are to go on a fact-finding mission to China.

The five, plus a primary education inspector, will spend the Easter break in Chinese schools observing different teaching styles and forging links.

Organised by Durham County Council's international office, and funded by the British Council, the trip will allow each headteacher to work and teach alongside a Chinese counterpart.

Brian Stobie, the council's international officer, said: "They will be in Nanjing, the former capital of imperial China, setting up curriculum-based links for their pupils.

"They will be observing the different teaching and learning styles, and looking at different aspects of life, such as the way Chinese children organise, socialise and play outside the classroom.

"Some headteachers want to look at starting the day with exercise, as research suggests it can be a way of tackling dyspraxia, while others are interested in the equal opportunities aspect of the way that children are taught."

The five are John Redman from Cockton Hill infants, Pauline Warren from Sacriston juniors, Antonella Lupton from Crook primary, Dorothy Brennan from Langley Park primary and Ken Joel from Catchgate primary.

On their return, the group, which includes inspector Maureen Bennett, will put together an action plan to set up links with other schools in the county