An international delegation of visitors from 13 different countries has been learning more about life in a North of England boarding school.
Sixteen agents from as far away as Mexico and Brazil to Vietnam and Japan spent the day at Barnard Castle School, in County Durham.
They toured the boarding facilities, observed lessons, saw facilities for sport including the shooting range and watched a performance of the junior musical.
In the evening, the visitors, accompanied by headmaster Tony Jackson and all the school’s senior leaders, went next door to the Bowes Museum for a drinks reception where they received an exclusive demonstration of the famous silver swan.
Some of the school’s star musicians and vocalists then performed a short concert in the Blue Gallery, including a song last sung at the war graves in Ypres to remember the school’s 145 boys and five staff who were killed in the Great War.
The day ended with dinner back at the school’s Victorian paneled dining room.
Don Kim, from South Korea, said: “It has been truly unforgettable, wonderful. I travel to many different countries and visit many different schools and this is one is quite outstanding.”
Mr Jackson explained: “Students who board at Barney are an integral and valued part of our diverse school community and we welcome boys and girls from many countries across the world.
“Our agent partners play an important role in helping us to promote the school and the region in their home countries. It is important that they visit and get a taste of life at Barney so they can then make an informed and accurate recommendation to prospective pupils and their families.
“Our students enjoyed showing them around and answering their questions and it was gratifying to hear so many positive comments from the visitors about the school, the museum and the local area. In particular they highlighted how engaging our pupils were, how fondly they spoke of their school and how at ease they were with adult visitors.”