STUDENTS from a Darlington school have been forging links with part of India in a project designed to teach them about the impact of heavy industry.

St Aidan’s Church of England Academy, in Hundens Lane, has hosted two teachers from an Indian school after being chosen to develop international links as part of a school twinning project.

The visit is part of Connecting Classrooms is a UK government and British Council education initiative and St Aidan’s was selected in recognition of its commitment to teaching students about global issues.

The Academy has been hosting a three-day visit of two teachers from Dayanand Public School in Jamshedpur, the industrial home town of steel firm Tata, which also operates on Teesside. Both areas also have plants run by engine maker Cummins.

The visit follows a similar one earlier this year when Academy staff members Richard Johnson and Steph Francom went to Dayanand Public School at Easter, where they learnt about the area’s industrial links.

During the return visit, Swrna Mishra, the Principal of Dayanand Public School, and Rakhi Choudhary, an IT teacher, visited Redcar, home of Tata Steel in the North East and also met mayor of Darlington Charles Johnson at the Town Hall on Thursday (May 23).

Coun Johnson said: “We are trying to raise the profile of the town and encourage young people to come to Darlington and our visitors from India can take that message away.

“Darlington is on the world map as the home of the railways and I am delighted that we can be involved in this exchange visit and talk about Darlington's rich industrial heritage.”

Year nine student Sophie Stannard said: “It was really enjoyable to know more about the Indian culture and we also learned a lot more about the history of Darlington during our visit to the town hall.”