Students at the Iceni Academy in Methwod have had the opportunity to start a new school year by studying a new subject.

Through the school’s partnership with the Norwich Centre of Excellence based at Norwich School, which is a centre for the Swire Chinese Language Centre, students have been able to study Mandarin.

Students across the school have been invited to book the sessions at the school.

Trips to China are planned for years two, four and six of the project.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the young people of west Norfolk” said principal Stephen Plume. “Not only will they get all of the cultural enrichment that goes with a new language, they will also get the chance to study for a Chinese GCSE.”

He added: “Although we are proud of our academic performance over the past four years, we are so much more than an exam factory.

“We hope that this exciting long-term project provides something interesting and unique for the students in west Norfolk.”