A week of German-themed events took place earlier this month at an East Dunbartonshire school to mark the beginning of its partnership with Germany.

During Bishopbriggs Academy’s “Focus Deutschland” week, all signs in the school were translated into German, with every department adopting the theme.

In PE, pupils performed the Schuhplattler, a traditional dance from Bavaria and Austria, that involves the slapping of the thighs, knees and soles of feet. The geography department examined the impact on tourism of Oktoberfest, a beer festival held in Munich.

Pupils also explored traces of German words in English, with the week culminating in a lantern procession to mark the feast of St Martin of Tours. He was a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half and shared it with a beggar.

Bishopbriggs Academy joined “Schools - Partners of the Future” in June. The initiative, set up by the German Federal Government, aims to encourage young people’s enthusiasm and interest in modern Germany. The goal is to create partnerships with 1,000 schools; there are currently 500 globally.