German Partnership Exchange : 5th – 9th May 2025

It was an early start on Monday morning to get to Heathrow for our flight to Düsseldorf at 7.10am! The journey to Germany marked the beginning of this year’s German Exchange with further developments in our established partnership with the ‘Gymnasium am Neandertal’ in Erkrath near Düsseldorf. This reciprocal exchange visit is a little different to a traditional Exchange. Our students are matched with a German student of a similar age and with some things in common to help with communication. We stay together in a local youth hostel and travel each day to school using public transport to meet with partners, attend lessons and get involved in joint projects together. Our students were immersed in German culture and customs and were able to use the language learnt in class to find their way. Students explored both Düsseldorf and the town of Erkrath in small groups using a Rallye designed by the German students. We attended lessons, experienced breaks and changes of lessons in school and this year, we were also able to spend an afternoon at the houses of the exchange partners. We visited the well-known Neandertal Museum, funded by our Partner school who are very proud of their Neandertal heritage. Parents organised a BBQ for us next to the lake where the school owns a piece of land and rowing boats. We were invited to try out rowing and for most of us this was the first time, we had sat in a rowing boat. We explored the differences between the school systems and the lives of young people in our two countries. Every day was packed with activities and negotiating many trains, trams, underground trains and buses but we still found time to shop, go to the theme Park @Phantasialand, pop up to the cathedral in Cologne. The photos of our trip will give you a flavour of all we experienced in the beautiful  Neandertal Valley.

We had an additional unplanned experience too. Our British Airways flight home was delayed and finally cancelled meaning we had to stay and extra night in a very nice hotel!  Our students took it all in their stride and were wonderful ambassadors for Presdales. We are looking forward to welcoming their German partners to our school in two weeks time( 1st- 5th June 2025), where they will take part in a similar programme.

Düsseldorf 2024

‘What a trip! Four days! We did it all, travelling through 4 countries, Christmas markets in Köln and Düsseldorf, der Kölner Dom, das Schokoladenmuseum, swimming, Phantasialand, der Fernsehturm, shopping and we even managed to visit our partner school in Erkrath. Our students were able to meet the partners they had been writing to during the year, in person.

Parents and students in our partner school, das Gymnasium an Neandertal (Gymneander) organised a Christmas party with German seasonal food. We shared English traditions (mince pies, crackers and a Lucky Dip) and were entertained by a Year 9 class with a song in German and in English. Our students also attended 2 lessons to get a taste of what it is like to learn in a German School.

St Nikolaus, who normally comes on the night of 5th- 6th December, came 5 days early to put some chocolate in the shoes we left outside the door of our hotel rooms.

The German department are very proud of our 48 students from year 8, 9 and 10 who took it all in their stride. They were fantastic ambassadors for Presdales and our country. I even heard them talking German to each other. Well done to them all!

We hope the pictures and the comments from students give you a flavour of this exciting trip.

This was the best trip EVER!

I liked being in a German school. They have huge corridors and it was very chilled.

My favourite part was going to the German school. It seemed really strange at first, but they try to get everyone involved in the lessons. I found the chalk boards in all the classrooms a bit strange. All the students have iPads. They don’t wear uniform and start and finish earlier.

The school was chill with no seating plans, no uniform and no homework. Phones were allowed in the class I was in.

It was great to see the school. It was interesting to get to know another culture.

I enjoyed going to the cathedral so much, that we nearly got left behind, because we were taking so many pictures.

My favourite part was going Phantasialand because I went on loads of rides. I also enjoyed the Christmas markets as I got to buy nice things and try different foods.

I enjoyed the journey as I could spend many hours watching animations without someone telling me to stop.

I had the best time at the Chocolate museum with lots of free tasting and I got presents for my family.

One of my favourite things we did was to go to Phantasialand, but I also enjoyed swimming, the Christmas markets and especially meeting our partners. I loved all of these since they were fun and we met new people. I also enjoyed seeing Germany. I just wished; we had more time!

I loved the TV Tower. It was so high. I also ticked something off my bucket list ‘eat a pretzel in Germany’.

Phantasialand was the best. F.L.Y is a must when you visit.

I enjoyed the Christmas Markets because there was lots of present options. I also enjoyed the slides in the water park. They were really fun!

I have never been to a proper Christmas market like the German ones before, so it was magical and beautiful to see and experience. It was an amazing opportunity for gifts and souvenirs. I am so grateful to have gone on this trip and I hope to go again!

It was quite fun for me because I had never been to Germany before, and I have not been to another country where I know at least some of the language.

The TV Tower was great fun. We leant on the glass and looked down. The view was amazing and very pretty.

I was so scared going up the TV Tower but I face d my fear! I leant on the glass and got great pictures.