PUPILS, staff and governors from a Monmouthshire school have been hosting 43 international visitors from around Europe as part of their involvement in a sustainable lifestyle project.

Staff and pupils from Gilwern Primary School teamed up with three international schools in Italy, Bulgaria and the Basque region of Spain in the Erasmus+ project, ‘Green in Europe.’

The aim of the project is to promote mobility opportunities using the Erasmus Student Network to share real-life experiences to encourage mobility programmes.

Opportunities are also targeted at young people, students and young graduates.

Staff and governors from Gilwern have previously travelled to Taranto in Italy and Bilbao in Spain, with a future trip to Bulgaria being planned.

Visitors stayed at the Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre and had the opportunity to enjoy the Welsh countryside by taking part in outdoor learning.

They also experienced Welsh culture, with a visit to Cardiff, Abergavenny, Big Pit and to a sustainable property in Gwent.

Deputy headteacher, Sue Marles, said: “We have been delighted to see how Gilwern pupils have interacted with our visitors; making friends, listening to presentations, sharing ideas and promoting their cultures through a variety of learning activities.

"We look forward to further enhancing our links with our partners as the project continues to encourage the children to consider themselves as sustainable, global citizens."