Pupils at a group of primary schools have experienced different cultures following visits to Spain and Greece.
The Pele Trust, which runs schools in Newcastle Diocese, organised the trips after receiving £100,000 from the Government’s Turing Scheme, which supports international opportunities in education and training.
Children from Heddon-on-the-Wall Church of England Primary, Ponteland Primary and Darras Hall Primary, headed to the port town of Piraeus just outside of Athens.
Primary languages teacher Ruth Magee said the children explored the roots of democracy. She explained: “We paired up with Jeanne D'Arc schools who were very welcoming and were so open to speaking in English with us. We told them about our institutions, landmarks, coal mining and other industrial history. They told us about life in the shadow of such a famous city in Athens. It was a huge experience for the children, especially with them being away from home at such a young age.”
Ponteland Primary pupils 
joined others from neighbouring schools Darras Hall, and Richard Coates Church of England Primary, on a trip to Valencia in Spain.
They embarked on a creative arts themed project with Los Olivos School, looking at the stewardship of water and rivers, which helped to overcome language and cultural barriers.
Ruth added: “The children got on well. They all understood that we are here to look after God’s creation and that we are all in God’s image.
"The trip was also linked to our sustainable goals which underpin our curriculum – learning about how everyone has the right to clean water, and to play."
Pele Trust pupils have also enjoyed a trip to France, while exchange visits have also taken place on home soil.