A JAPANESE tree has been planted at a North Oxford school to mark 20 years of an exchange programme that has seen its children explore Japanese culture.

A Zelkova tree, which can grow to up to 30 metres, was planted at the Dragon School last week to mirror the planting of an English Oak tree at a Tokyo school last year.

The independent school in Bardwell Road has been sending its children to Keio Yochisha school and welcoming its students back since 1996.

The school's director of sport and exchange trip organiser Tim Knapp said: "It's a wonder that the exchange has lasted 20 years but it's the contrasts and challenges that have made the exchange work so well.

"By their nature, Dragon and Keio Yochisha pupils are curious and full of intrepid ambition.

"Over the years it has enabled the children to adapt, use initiative, develop relationships, ask questions, present an open mind and show compassion pushing personal boundaries.

He added: "It's so rare that children aged 12 can get this kind of opportunity – it's a wonderful experience."

Each year a group of Tokyo schoolchildren visit the Dragon School in April, staying with a local family and visiting landmarks such as Christ Church college as well as trips to London.

In October the roles reverse and the North Oxford schoolchildren explore temples, dormant volcanoes, bullet train rides and Zen meditation.

Arthur King, 11, has been hosting his new friend Soshin Ito and could not wait to visit him later this year.

He said: "It's been really great so far, I have made new friends and learnt a lot about Japanese culture.

"I think they have really enjoyed being here too and visiting places such as Christ Church college

"I'm looking forward to going out there in October I have heard so much about it this week."

Former Keio Yochisha headmaster and programme leader Mitsuaki Kato said the tree would grow as the link between the two schools did for the next 100 years.

He said: "In 100 years' time this tree will be one of the biggest in the grounds here and while none of us will probably be here to see it I hope the link between the two schools will remain.

"Its planting will be one of the memories our students can take away from their trip here and it will match the Oak tree planted back home."

The school also runs exchange programmes with a school in Versailles, France and two schools in New York.

In 2014 the Independent Schools Inspectorate, a body responsible for inspecting private schools, said Dragon School pupils' cultural development was "excellent."