Teachers from 18 countries descended on Oxfordshire, as part of an international attempt to forge links between county schools and the rest of Europe.

Around 130 teachers from countries as diverse as Romania, Finland, Portugal and Malta met staff from schools across the county as part of a European Union-backed partnership project.

Teachers visited schools, sixth forms and nursery schools, for discussions on setting up three-year curriculum projects. The scheme is designed to promote international understanding and strengthen links between staff and pupils at participating schools.

The Comenius project covers a range of projects, including information technology, languages and environmental science.

It is supported by the European Union, which will pump a total of up to £80,000 into participating schools and colleges.

The visits culminated in an international training day at Exeter Hall in Kidlington, on Friday.

A record number of Oxfordshire schools have arranged partnerships with European schools this year.

Oxfordshire County Council's international education officer Ike Garson said: "This is a European Union collaborative programme bringing schools and teachers together to develop and start projects. It will allow teachers to get their heads around what they are going to do with their students in September."

He added: "It is a hugely exciting time for children and teachers. The programme is increasing in popularity within our schools and more Oxfordshire schools are involved than ever before.

"When it comes to European links, Oxfordshire Local Education Authority is way ahead of the game."

One of the schools taking part in the project is Bartholomew School, in Eynsham, which is hoping to co-ordinate a website project with schools in France, Spain and the Netherlands. Representatives from its partnership schools met staff and pupils on Thursday.

The European co-ordinator, Heather Wadcock, said: "It will create greater awareness of other European nations, celebrate the things we are good at and allow us to help each other."