TEACHERS from Wirral are visiting China, after the borough was one of just five in the country to receive funding to forge improved educational links.

The British Council's “Connecting Classrooms” programme funded headteachers from nine Wirral primary and secondary schools, along with a council representative, to visit China this week. The trip is intended to establish an educational district link with Fuzhou, in the Fujian province.

Deputy leader of Wirral Council, Phil Davies, met with Wang Jianfeng, the mayor of Taicang, in the Jiangsu Province, and near Shanghai, to cement that relationship. Now the group of teachers will also sign a memorandum of understanding with Fuzhou local government representatives and plan ways in which links with China can be cemented.

Cllr Ann McLachlan, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Linking up in this way with Chinese schools gives them not only a richer understanding of Chinese culture and language, but also a real edge in the jobs market, in which China is becoming an increasingly big player.

“Our schools will be working on joint curriculum projects which break down geographical barriers and build understanding of different societies, languages and cultures.”