CHILDREN from St Batholomew's School in Haslemere could find cheerleading and blueberry pie on the timetable at the start of the new term.

Pupils from the school will be welcoming two teachers from across the pond to the classrooms in September.

Among ten teachers arriving in the county later this month from the United States, Canada and South America, are two who will be teaching pupils aged between five to seven at St Bartholomew's Primary School in Haslemere.

A secondary teacher specialising in art will be going to Rodborough School in Milford to teach 11-year-olds.

Thanks to a pilot project organised by Surrey County council, the experienced teachers have been working in America for the last two years.

The programme is just one of the ways being employed to address teacher shortages in Surrey. It is also bringing teachers from different backgrounds and cultures to enhance the curriculum and classroom environment.

This is the first time the LEA has worked with the British and American schools partnership on a cultural teaching placement.

John White, SCC's head of education personnel, said: "It is a very exciting pilot project that has huge potential for growth and we are planning to recruit many more teachers to take part in similar placements next year."

Many of the teachers have already taught in Europe but for some it will be their first time teaching on non-American soil.

To make sure they know their way round the national curriculum and day-to-to-day life in Surrey, the teachers will take part in a three-day induction course before they enter the classroom in September.