Victoria Nikolaeva and Anna Lumpova went home on Sunday with a new cross-cultural insight into teaching sports – thanks to their time at the school's Specialist Sports College.

The Russians were especially interested in the Sports Leaders Program for which the school has won an award and which helps students become responsible for teaching sport to others.

Sport teacher, Andy Law is set to respond to the visit by flying to Siberia in February 2009 to help implement the Sports Leaders Program and put it into place.

Mr Law said: "The teachers are really interested in teaching and learning and are fascinated by our practical sessions.

"It is a unique experience having visitors all the way from Russia who are especially focused on sport. We have had had foreign teachers visit other departments in the school but for sport this is a first. Everybody in the Sports College is very excited.

"Victoria and Anna are very enthusiastic about how we teach sports. They are lovely people and we are really enjoying having them here.
"Anna and Victoria found the use of technology and media at the school a real eye-opener."

Staff at Heysham High hope the Russians will like the program enough to get involved in organising a sports festival for 2010, in Siberia, which the Heysham High Sports Leaders can attend.

The school was handed the United by Sports award last year by the Federal Minister of the Interior for Germany for their efforts to engage Polish students in the leadership program.

Mr Law said, "We have 65 polish students who we encouraged to train as sports leaders to improve the integration of polish students into the life of the school and develop skills of participation and responsible action."