New College Worcester was delighted to welcome a group of students and staff from our long‑standing partner school, Blista School for the Blind in Marburg, Germany, for a visit last half term.

Our two schools share a warm and historic connection dating back to 1989, and it was a pleasure to once again host our German friends here in Worcester for a programme full of cultural experiences, joint activities and time spent with NCW students.

Blista is one of Germany’s leading and most historic institutions dedicated to the education and support of people who are blind or vision impaired. Located in the university city of Marburg—renowned for its highly accessible, blindness‑friendly infrastructure—it continues to be a beacon of inclusive education.

A Sweet Start to the Visit

Upon arrival in the UK, the group headed straight to one of the Midlands’ best‑known attractions: Cadbury World. Students enjoyed exploring the interactive exhibits and sampling plenty of chocolate treats.

After checking into their hotel, the group travelled to NCW for a relaxed evening meal with our students, followed by a lively Youth Club Variety Event featuring music, pool, darts, crafts and time in our café. It was a wonderful first opportunity for both groups to meet and chat.

Exploring Worcester

Day two was dedicated to discovering some of Worcester’s most historic sites.

The group began with a guided tour of Worcester Cathedral, followed by a visit to The Commandery to learn more about the city’s Civil War heritage.

After walking back to NCW for lunch in the dining hall, our visitors joined a hugely popular British cooking session with Mrs Williams.

This was followed by a tour of NCW with our Marketing Team and a warm welcome from the Senior Leadership Team. The day concluded with another evening meal at NCW before the group returned to their hotel.

A Day in the Life of NCW

Wednesday offered Blista students the chance to experience a full school day at NCW.

After arriving on campus, they took part in:

• Spanish with Mrs Molina, alongside NCW students
• A sensory session exploring “Tastes Around the UK”
• Breaktime in the canteen paired with their NCW buddies

For late‑morning lessons, each visitor shadowed their buddy in timetabled subjects, including Maths, RE, Science, IT Support, Cooking and Music.

Over lunch, conversation flowed as students exchanged stories about school life in the UK and Germany.

In the afternoon, they enjoyed a Drama session featuring selected scenes from our college production of Dracula, performed by our talented drama students.

The day ended with free time in Worcester city centre, followed by a memorable group meal at the King Charles II House, joined by NCW staff.