PUPILS in North Yorkshire have been learning about schools in Sri Lanka from one of its top education officials.

The youngsters at Thirsk School have been visited by Sri Lanka's deputy director of education Prayatha Nanayakkur.

Along with Sri Lankan teacher Chandrasiri Hewa Batheege they are spending time at the school as part of an exchange.

The visitors have spent time mixing with the pupils and spending time observing how lessons are held.

Mrs Nanayakkur is to visit nine North Yorkshire secondary schools as part of her tour and Mr Hewa Batheege will stay at Thirsk for five days.

The visit forms part of an exchange tour after Thirsk School staff formed part of a visit to schools in Sri Lanka.

Andy Rickard, head of PE at Thirsk, said: "We were funded by the British Council and the Department for International Development to visit Sri Lanka last year.

"They have now come here for a week and it's part of a Government scheme whereby each school has an international partner.

"They have spent time in lessons and hopefully this is the start of a sustainable relationship."

The English staff hope to travel to Sri Lanka next May and in the future pupils too may also go on exchange visits.

There is £15,000 of funding on offer from the British Council and the Department for International Development to cover this.

Mrs Nanayakkur said: "It's very exciting that we can share experiences through this project.

"This project is a two way process and we can share experiences and ideas with UK pupils."