Thirteen students came from Vandyke's partner school, the Phakama Secondary School in South Africa, to sample British life.

The project is a sporting partnership between three Bedfordshire Sports Colleges (Vandyke, Biddenham and Redborne Upper Schools) and three schools in the Western Cape, Phakama Secondary School, Beaufort West School and H F Van Cutsem School.

Students from Vandyke and Phakama jointly ran sports leadership awards during the week, as well as participating in joint dance and drumming workshops.

The aim of the partnership is to develop leadership and cross-curricular awareness in young people through sports and international educational links. Together with the Vandyke Dance Company, the visiting students also performed a dance which fused the cultural traditions of both countries.

During their week here the visitors went to London, where they enjoyed a trip along the River Thames to Greenwich and a tour of the David Beckham Academy, as well as spending a day in Cambridge, where they had fun punting on the River Cam.

Sara Kelby, Assistant Headteacher at Vandyke said: "The energy and exuberance of the South African students enthused everyone who came into contact with them."

Leighton-Linslade's Town Mayor and Mayoress took the time to greet the students on their arrival and also to bid them farewell, when Cllr George Rolfe kindly presented each of the visiting students with a gift on behalf of Leighton-Linslade Town Council.

One of the South African students, football fan Myuyisi, stayed with the Evans family from Meadow Way, Leighton.

Lydia Evans, mum to Adam and Frances, who are students at Vandyke said: "Being hosts was a great experience for the whole family.

"We were all nervous and when we got home Myuyisi took his things to his room and there he stayed! He'd fallen asleep!

"Later on he joined us all to play on the Wii, watch telly, and have tea. We also looked at Google Earth and found his township home and his school. He showed us the pictures of his mum he had taken at the airport.

"The next day he seemed more relaxed and said it was the first time he had been away from his family and he was shy. On Tuesday after school we popped into town and got his mum some sweets.

"I also took him to Morrisons to choose a birthday cake and he chose the football one and carried it all the way around the shop and home!

"He loves sports and is extremely good at it at home and has played in teams for his school and province. Wednesday was his 18th birthday, so Fran got up and cooked him pancakes and we had got him a little present – an England shirt and flag, and a football magazine. He loved them so much . . . . and put the shirt on straight away.

"In the evening eight of the children came round and we all sang songs in the garden."

"He was extremely polite and a pleasure to have in my home - he even taught Adam a few things. We wished he could have stayed for the weekend."