PRIMARY school pupils in Cookley were visited by a former headteacher of a Gambian school who told them about life for schoolchildren in Africa.

Tida Manka, former headteacher at Janjanbureh Lower Basic School in Gambia, spent a week in Wyre Forest visiting schools including Cookley Sebright Primary School.

Cookley pupils have been raising funds for the school and each year, members of staff visit West Africa to support teaching and learning.

Cookley headteacher Martin De Vine said: “We also sponsor children’s education; paying school fees, school uniform and a daily meal.

“The children of Cookley Sebright School are very involved in fundraising for our partnership school and learn about Gambia as part of their studies.”

During her visit, Ms Manka had a guided tour around the new school building.

Mr De Vine added: “She joined us for a whole school assembly where she was most impressed with the wonderful enthusiastic singing.

“She then spent time in each class telling the pupils about life in Gambia. Tida explained that education is free while the children attend the Lower Basic school, but when they move to the Upper Basic School, it is only free for girls.”

Cookley Sebright sponsors boys who can not afford to go to upper school.

It costs £100 for a child to go to school for a year.