Ten pupils from Ghana were welcomed to Hammersmith for a week of learning at Melcombe primary school.
During their stay, the students from St Mary Day Care & Preparatory School in Koforidua were treated to an eye-opening tour of BBC Studioworks in White City.
The group, including children as young as eight years old, had a chance to take a look behind the scenes of some of Britain's most popular TV shows such as Good Morning Britain and Lorraine.
Visiting student Justice (11) said: "We saw what it takes to produce a show, from pointing a camera at someone to the recording being shown on telly. I want to be a sound engineer when I’m older."
The group also explored the make-up room and the green room, which, to everyone's surprise, "isn't actually green!" said Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Patricia Quigley, who joined the broadcasters-in-training on the tour.
International partnership
The special outing was part of a week-long exchange programme, which St Mary’s pupils and staff shadow Melcombe's curriculum to experience English school life.
“We wanted to give our students international exposure,” said Miriam Appiah Ofosu, Director of St Mary's and the driving force behind the partnership. “They are so excited because the British curriculum is so practical. They also had the opportunity to experience places like the Science Museum – places they had only read about in Ghana.”
During the week, the visitors from Ghana also took in the sights of the capital, including a trip on the London Eye, a river Thames cruise, and a visit to see The Lion King musical in the West End.
“We saw the Big Ben, and I was surprised to learn that there is a Little Ben!” said student Justina (14).
The Melcombe primary pupils plan to visit their new friends in Ghana next school year.
