Teachers set ball rolling for cross-channel exchange

Teachers from The Folkestone Academy met their counterparts from across the channel recently to plan a series of vocational exchanges for their pupils.

It is hoped to set up a cross border company to develop the business, ICT, catering and retail sales projects of the Academy and the Lycee Cazin high school in Boulogne.

Ideas include setting up a fashion and textile project which would see Academy pupils create fabrics and the French school manufacture costumes for dance schools and theatre companies.

In catering, pupils on both sides of the channel would learn more about local dishes in the catering project and the business project provide a newsletter and keep a website updated on progress.

Scott Waters, Folkestone Academy's Vice Principal said that although it was early days, all the teachers involved were enthusiastic. "We are all very hopeful that the proposed cross border exchanges would bring real value and additional benefits to our students."

Teachers from from Lycée Cazin will visit the Academy for a return visit on 30 June. The project is being supported by BOSCO+, the Boulogne, Shepway and Canterbury Co-operation.