A taste of Derbyshire for Japanese youngsters

Students from Japan have had a taste of Derbyshire life, school lessons and culture during a recent twinning visit to the county.

The 28 youngsters, one from each of Toyota City’s secondary schools, are 14 to 15 years of age and their visit was the latest in the cultural exchanges between Derbyshire and Toyota City as part of their twinning agreement which started back in 1998 and is led by Derbyshire County Council. 

This is an annual exchange but the first time in over a decade that the visitors have stayed with local families for the week. The host families were in Belper and Wirksworth. The students attended Belper School and Anthony Gell School and had trips to Derbyshire landmarks. 

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, is Chair of the Toyota City Partnership Board. He said: “Having host families has worked really well for this exchange and we’re very grateful to those families who opened up their homes to these youngsters and have helped give them an in-depth experience of life in Derbyshire.

“I hope that attending our schools has helped them improve their English skills as they’ve wished and to gain a deeper understanding of British education. Whilst the sightseeing trips to Chatsworth House, Belper Mill, Wirksworth’s Stardisc, Derby’s Museum of Making and Kedleston Hall will have illustrated Derbyshire’s rich cultural history, and in the spirt of exchange our pupils will have learnt some Japanese and about their new friends’ fascinating culture.”

The exchange has been a great opportunity for the Japanese and Derbyshire students to forge new friendships from across the globe. These and other friendships will be nurtured again early in 2025 when 30 students from the host schools will visit Toyota City. 

The headteacher at Belper School, Matilde Warden said: "We were delighted to host this exchange for our friends from Japan. The staff and students fully immersed themselves in life at Belper school and our students have really enjoyed and benefited from their company. 

“We hope that this exchange programme continues for many years to come to allow more of our students to share this valuable experience."

Malcolm Kelly, headteacher at Anthony Gell added: “Our students and staff have benefited enormously from the opportunities this visit generated. It was wonderful to see young people from very different backgrounds interacting so intuitively with one another and enjoying the chance to learn about each other's life experiences. Friendships have been formed which will last a very long time.”

The visit was funded by Toyota City Council and Japanese families. The return exchange by Derbyshire students will be funded by the Turing Scheme, which is the UK government’s chosen programme, offering education institutions the opportunity to apply for funding to support their students with study and work placements around the world. 

In the 26 years since the twinning link was established between Derbyshire and Toyota City numerous project and activities have taken place for mutual benefit including trade links, business events, educational exchanges, cultural activities and events, sporting links and youth music exchanges. 

In 2018 the Toyota City Partnership Board was established to expand the relationship into other areas and to create new opportunities for engagement. 

Members of the Board are Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Toyota Motors UK, Marketing Derby, Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, East Midlands Chamber, University of Derby, Burton & South Derbyshire College, the National Forest Company and Derby County Football Club. 

The Board is managed by Derbyshire County Council with links into Toyota City Council International Division and all member organisations. 

Many people don’t know that there is a city in Japan called Toyota City, it used to be called Koromo, but due to the success of the Toyota Manufacturing Company and in recognition of its founders, the Toyoda family, the city was renamed Toyota City in 1959.  In Japanese language Toyoda is written with 10 brush strokes, Toyota is written with 8 brush strokes, the number 8 is associated with prosperity, hence why they named the company and city Toyota. 

Find out more about the twinning relationship: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/toyotacity

Back row – left to right. Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis; tour leader and teacher Mr Yoshida and Derbyshire County Council Vice Civic Chairman Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal.

Front row – students who attended Anthony Gell school and Mr Flint the coordinating teacher from the school