INTERNATIONAL students have been able to see what Worcester has to offer during placements organised through the Principia School of Language.

Peter Corbishley runs the Pershore-based organisation that organises stays of between one and four weeks for 300 to 400 young people, by 60 host families.

The youngsters who take part in the visits, who are aged 12 to 14-years-old, spend a week in the city with a busy programme including visits to Worcester Cathedral, The Hive, the Guildhall - often to see the Mayor - and city high schools such as Nunnery Wood and Christopher Whitehead.

Often a highlight for youngsters is a trip to Sixways where Worcester Warriors’ community officer, Steve Joslin, introduces them to rugby.

In recent years Mr Corbishley reports there has been a rapid growth in work experience students making the trip to Worcester.

Placements have been offered by more than 200 companies and schools in the past four years,

Primary schools involved include Powick, Northwick Manor, Crowle and Holy Redeemer in Pershore, with the companies and charities involved including Southco, Gtech, Headway, Knowles Sports, St Richard’s Hospice, Ride-On Entertainment, Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Dolphin Computer Access and the University of Worcester.

Recent students and apprentices have included trainee teachers from Munich, apprentices from BASF in Ludwigshafen and business admin students from Bremen.

Mr Corbishley said: "Evaluation forms and feedback from the accompanying teachers always focus on how friendly and generous their hosts are, how well-behaved pupils are in schools, and what a beautiful city Worcester is.

"Perspectives are very different, but again comments such as ‘the staff were incredibly friendly’ and ‘I was amazed how much responsibility I was given’ reflect so well on local companies."

"Kind and generous host families, welcoming local high schools, sympathetic and supportive staff in local companies, a vibrant night-life and ideally placed for weekend excursions - it’s little wonder that colleges and schools from all parts of Germany are happy to send their students each year to the city of Worcester."