A secondary school had a touch of la viva España yesterday as teachers from Spain and Watford met to plan a fledgling exchange programme.

Westfield Community Technology College hosted teachers from the Colegio Santa Maria del Pilar, in Zaragoza, as the two European schools put the finishing touches to a new foreign exchange programme.

For Westfield, the exciting programme will be the first exchange the school has run for many years.

And Laura Walker, head of modern languages at the Tolpits Lane school, says the school is planning to make as many links in Europe as possible.

She said: “They have come for a visit and we are sorting out dates and logistical arrangements for their students to come over her later this year – we are hoping in November.

“Our students students will then go over there the following spring.”

Laura says the school is also planning on developing a French exchange and says it is important for students to be given the opportunity of going abroad.

She added: “There is a linguistic value but there it is also a cultural exchange. They are going to stay with Spanish families and hopefully learn a lot about the Spanish way of life.

“We really hope it will motivate our students and give them the confidence to continue their languages.

“We think these are really talented students who will realise the importance of having languages in their lives.”