Patchway Community School students visit Gauting for work experience

Six students from Patchway Community School supported by two members of the teaching staff recently visited Patchway’s twin town of Gauting, nr Munich, Germany to undertake work experience and cultural activities.

The students who undertook a selection process ahead of the visit represented themselves, Patchway Community School and the town as the return leg of the annual exchange between the two towns following the visit of students from Gauting to Patchway in May.

The group arrived at Gauting on Monday 30^th June for meeting with 3rd Mayor Markus Deschler, teachers, students and members of the Deutsch-Französisch-Englischer-Verein with its chair, Adriana Scipio.

On Tuesday 1^st July, the group started their work experience placements at the Grundschule Gauting (primary), Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium (primary), Realschule Gauting (secondary) and Seehotel Leoni. This was followed by a game of traditional bowling at the Kegelbahn Gauting.

On Wednesday 2^nd July, the Patchway students continued the work placements followed by dodgeball and other sports at Realschule Gauting, followed by pizza and snacks at the cafeteria. And on Thursday the group visited the Trachtenverein Gauting for traditional German and Bavarian culture.

On the final day of the visit, the group completed their work placements before spending free time with their German hosts and returning to Munich Airport for the flight back to the UK.

The week has again demonstrated the importance of Patchway’s international relationships through the civic twinning agreements, and how our young people embrace these opportunities provided through the Council, Patchway Community School and the host country.

Mayor of Patchway, Cllr Dayley Lawrence said, ‘I am delighted to hear about the amazing experiences the young people from Patchway have had in Gauting, and opportunities that are not always available for all. Thank you to everyone who is involved in making this brilliant initiative happen and we look forward to future exchanges between our two towns’.

Patchway Town Council wants to thank the team at Patchway Community School particularly Gemma Mills (Associate Assistant Headteacher), everyone involved at Gauting, and Patchway Minibus for supporting this year’s programme.

Please see a graphic highlighting the week below in the gallery.

14^th July 2025