This week pupils from Leeds based Allerton Primary Church of England School travelled to France to take part in an urban cultural exchange with other students from Leeds’ partner city of Lille.
The trip gave 9 pupils aged between 9 and 11 a unique opportunity to engage with culture and languages, helping them to develop their confidence and other life skills. Students from Leeds and four other schools in Lille took part in a number of activities and workshops themed around hip-hop dance which took place in Lille’s impressive Flow building, a dedicated home to urban culture and the arts in the city.
After two days of hard work, students put their new dance routines into practice, with a show in the Flow’s performance hall in front of an audience of over 100 people which included the Deputy Mayor of Lille for International Cooperation and Tourism, Marie-Pierre Bresson.
During the two day trip, which was a continuation of an EU funded cultural education project, the children were taken to the Môm’Art Exhibition at Lille’s Saint-Sauveur Station where works of art produced by their fellow pupils at Allerton CE Primary were being displayed. From photos to sculptures, the Môm’Art exhibition aims to showcase the artistic work of children in all its forms. It forms part of the wider Lille 3000 cultural festival which this year was themed around Mexico and Eldorado.
Commenting on the visit, Allerton CE Primary Assistant Head, Joy Johnston said: “It was a great experience for our students. Despite the language barrier, the children were able to collaborate and create friendships with their French peers through dance.
“This trip will not only give our pupils an appetite for learning a foreign language but will have a much wider impact on all aspects of their lives.
“We want to continue to build on the links we have with the schools in Lille and we’re already planning to host a group of French dancers here in Leeds next year.”
Check out all the photos from the trip below:
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