A PRE-SCHOOL in Frinton has joined forces with counterparts in Peru for a special cultural project.

Former Gazette reporter and Frinton resident Rachel Fitch, who now lives in Huanchaco, Peru, got in contact with Frinton Montessori, in Station Approach, to ask if it wanted to form a partnership with youngsters in the south American country.

Her son attends Huanchaco’s Mis Manos Montessori Pre-school, which is based on the same child-centred education approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori more than 100 years ago.

Head teacher Bonita Ellis said: “Rachel asked us if we would like to form a partnership with the staff and children there.

“Huanchaco is a small seaside town so similar to Frinton or Walton, but of course there will be lots of differences as well.

“Maria Montessori’s philosophy is delivered throughout the world so much of the equipment and many of the activities in Mis Manos will be the exactly the same as we use here, but the children will find out about the daily lives of the children at a Montessori pre-school in another country.

“The Montessori curriculum includes a focus on knowledge and understanding of the world and Maria Montessori, who was born in 1870, believed that children should be citizens of the world, so this cultural exchange gives us the opportunity to explore the geography of the Andes and the Amazon as well as the wildlife of South America and we will look at Peruvian food, music, culture and introduce a little bit of Spanish as well.

“The Montessori guides at Mis Manos are very excited about this project as are we.”

The school will be exchanging photos of Frinton and the children will also be send messages to each other electronically.

They will also be putting together a package of items to send to Peru, including postcards, information leaflets and books.

Their Peruvian counterparts are also preparing a display board for their new Frinton friends.