OKEHAMPTON College enjoyed a foreign visit when the head teacher of a South African college spent five days with staff and pupils.

Head teacher of False Bay College, Cape Town, Phadiela Cooper, spent time with staff and students at Okehampton, and sat in on lessons.

The link between the two schools was established in 2007 as part of the Crossings Project, where schools from Devon and South Africa meet and share good practice.

Her stay was funded by the UK government's Department for International Development (DFID) Global School Partnerships programme.

The Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) in False Bay College, was established to help students in the black African township to excel in their studies, so they can go on to study at university level.

There are currently 175 students aged 15 to 17 years old learning in COSAT. They have a 100% pass rate, which reflects their hard work.

Pupils are encouraged to undertake an extra curriculum activity once a week so that there is a balance between their academic studies and social activities.

Next year, a teacher from Okehampton College is hoping to make a return trip to experience False Bay's college routine.