The relationship between sport and education was the focus of a visit from a South African Minister of Education this week when she was given a tour of a Wharfedale secondary school.

Mrs Ina Cronje and some of her key delegates were invited to attend St. Mary's RC High School in Menston to see first hand how successful the school's policy on encouraging sports development and leadership skills has been.

Mrs Cronje was taken round the school, which has strong links with the Mnyakanya School in the remote Nkandla district of Kwa Zulu Natal, where Mrs Cronje is based.

The two schools refer to their work as a partnership and use sport as a major catalyst for developing education, health and leadership qualities.

Assistant Headteacher at St Mary's David Geldart said: "The delegation was invited over to Leeds because of the city's strong connection with Durban.

"During their stay they were asked to visit the annual Sports conference in Telford and as a big part of our focus is working with sport and education, they also came round our school."

During the tour the delegation spoke with pupils and teachers and watched as pupils led lessons in the school.

Mr Geldart, who himself visited South Africa as part of a UK delegation to advise the Department of Sport and Recreation on sports development programmes two years ago, said: "I think they were all fascinated by the leadership skills shown by our pupils and were fully supportive of the work that we do in the school.

"In March I am taking nine pupils to South Africa to visit the Mnyakanya school and Mrs Cronje was very impressed by all the fundraising efforts they had put in to be able to take part in the trip."

St Mary's leads a school sports partnership of 54 schools in North West Leeds and North East Bradford which has gained national acclaim.

As part of this initiative, the delegation were able to see work undertaken by the Funky Feet' programme which saw children from feeder primary schools to St Mary's involved in fun sporting activities.

Mrs Cronje said: "The partnership between St Mary's and Mnyakanya High School is outstanding. It will inspire teachers and students in both countries."