A HISTORY teacher from Rossendale's language college is hoping her trip to a Russian school will lead to educational exchanges.

Although Ann O'Reilly is a history teacher at All Saints RC High School in Rawtenstall, she also speaks fluent Russian.

On the nine-day visit to School Number One in Engels, Rossendale's twin Russian town, she observed history lessons, met with teachers and discussed how to further and forge new educational and cultural links.

The school is very different from All Saints, which has 600 pupils. At School Number One there are 2,600 pupils, more than 100 staff and the children and staff attend on three different shifts.

One of the links that is being looked at is using information technology and e-mails, but at the Russian school there are currently just six computers, but there are plans to address the lack of resources.

Miss O'Reilly said: "I feel very privileged to be a part of something that is and could continue to be of great benefit to the school and the community it serves. I felt it was on great benefit to meet and talk with other teaching professions to exchange ideas and practises.

"It was noted that history is a compulsory subject in Russian schools at all levels. The Russian equivalent of the National Curriculum also makes provision for a broad coverage of international history. British history is studied in significant depth dating back to periods in the 11th century. Our coverage of Russian history is very narrow by comparison. Textbooks and resources were limited and were less 'pupil-friendly' than some of our popular textbooks."

It is hoped that links will be established as a result of the visit and perhaps, if funding can be raised, there could be exchanges of pupils and staff between the schools.