On Friday 9th June, the Aycliffe UTC welcomed delegates from County Durham’s partner region in Northern Germany. The County has maintained a link with this part of Germany since 1953 and education projects and other EU funded schemes have evolved through this long-standing connection. Although education is the responsibility of the Federal government of Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Kreis Wesel  (District) has a particular interest in aspects of vocational education; delivered through the five Berufskollegs (Professional Colleges) in the area.

Year 12 students Michael Stephenson and Samuel Jurgens took the German Councillors on a tour of the building where they were shown demonstrations of the high spec machinery on offer at the UTC for both GCSE and Sixth form students. Michael said “Our visitors were very interested in learning more about this type of education model and its potential for young students like myself”. Brian Stobie – International Officer Durham County Council was assisted in the tour by other Year 12 students including Samuel Jurgens, Jess Winkworth, Jamie Black and Nasiba Elhasan.