PUPILS from Hummersknott School, in Darlington, are taking part in an international exchange programme with students from Darlington's German twin town.
Families of the year ten children looked after pupils from Mulheim an der Ruhr for the seven-day visit.
And in March next year, the German pupils are to return the favour when Hummersknott students will travel to Germany for lessons at the Gymnasium Heissen School.
Hummersknott education consultant Dave Watson said: "The children spent the week learning about the history of the area and visited Beamish and Shildon museums.
"When we go over there we will be looking at how the Ruhr area has changed over the past 50 years with the loss of the area's coal mining and steel industries.
"Exchanges like this are really important because not many pupils opt to study the German language these days.
"This is a good chance to get children interested in the subject."
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