A HEAD teacher from Pakistan visited New Milton as part of a four-month fact finding mission to England.

Hashim Ali gave students at The Arnewood School an insight into the lives of his pupils while furthering his knowledge of English.

He had travelled from the Bagrote Valley where he provides education for boys and girls in a bid to give them greater prosperity and aspiration.

His school, the Bagrote Association for Social Enhancement, serves the predominantly Shia Muslim rural community in the valley and lessons are partly-taught in English.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Arnewood students for the day and was thrilled to be able to tell them about my school, our culture and our religion.

“I was touched by the interest the students showed, their intelligent questions and the warmth shown to me by the whole school.”

Hashim’s school is a world away from the facilities at The Arnewood School.

The 450 students there are taught in nine simple classrooms, with many lessons conducted outside – whatever the weather.

There is not enough classroom furniture for everyone so many students conduct their learning seated on the ground – and internet access is unheard of in the valley.

Head teacher of The Arnewood School, Chris Hummerstone, said: “It was a privilege to welcome Mr Ali to our school and hear of the amazing work he and his colleagues are doing for children in a very rural part of Pakistan.

“Our students were genuinely fascinated to hear how young people in another country are taught.

“It also brought home how we can sometimes take education in this country for granted and how precious it is for many children in parts of the world.”