HAVANA, Cuba, may sound a long way from Mid Cheshire but four teachers made the 10-hour flight across the Atlantic to learn from our cultural cousins.

Teachers from St Wilfrid's Primary School in Hartford and St Mary's Primary School in Middlewich spent 10 days finding out how everyday occurrences in the country could help pupils in Cheshire.

Those who made the journey say the experience has changed their lives.

The trip focused on special-needs education and saw eight teachers and three learning support assistants from across the county sample the Cuban teaching style.

St Wilfrid's teacher and special education needs co-ordinator Carol Mack was joined by her learning assistant for children with special education needs, Debbie Jackson.

Both describe the experience and learning opportunity as 'fantastic'.

Carol said: 'The programme was funded by The British Council in joint venture by Cheshire County Council, the British Embassy and the appropriate school to allow teachers and assistants to visit another country to observe an area of specialism in education.

'The object of our visit to Havana was to observe models of good practice in schools for children with special educational needs and to share those experiences within our own school setting in Cheshire.'

The visit provided two-way learning as leading people from the Ministry of Education in Cuba learnt of Cheshire's inclusion policy for children with special needs.

Carol, who has worked at St Wilfrid's for six years, said: 'They have not yet adopted the practice of inclusion into mainstream school but consider it an area for exploration.

'Here, children who have cerebral palsy or Down's syndrome, we have them in mainstream school, whereas in Cuba there they are put in special schools.

'But what was overwhelming was the strength of the children in their socials skills, their behaviour and their respect for adult. The children were absolutely wonderful.

'It was a fantastic experience. And the people and the children made it.'

The group also had time to explore the tourist side of Havana during free time at evenings and weekends.

But during the day it was a hard slog as the teachers spent their morning in lectures, hearing from experts from Cuban universities on special-needs issues.

Carol and Debbie achieved a certificate for their hard work and credits can be transferred to qualifications in England.

Debbie, from Winsford, will put the credits toward her higher level teaching assistant qualification.

She said: 'During the afternoons we were in schools and we went to eight in all, it really was fantastic.'

Both teachers commented on the commitment of the teachers and everyone involved with the children.

Carol said: 'We give complete credit to the teachers, who would be in at 7am and not finish until 10pm. They were so very committed to teaching, it's very humbling.'

Plans for visitors from Cuba to come to Cheshire are in their infancy, but the trip may include a stop at St Wilfrid's.