VIP visitors to Cedar Mount High School.

A school visit from the Foreign Secretary and Manchester United's Manager is a touch out of the ordinary.  But last week, pupils at Cedar Mount High School, Manchester, were visited by David Milliband and Sir Alex Ferguson.  Students were able to ask their visitors questions about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs - find out more at the end of this piece).

Cedar Mount was chosen because of its global outlook with partner schools in Tanzania, South Africa and China. 

Preparing for their guests, students explored some of the MDG challenges, and looked at the context of their partner schools.

Dale looked forward to finding out what the government were going to do for the future of the MDGs. He wondered if they would consider adding some goals.

Adetutu wanted to explore a topic close to her heart: "It's about all of us. It's going to make the world better.  It affects people - and me as well!"

Craig was interested in finding out whether the government was approaching the goals as efficiently as they can.

Serious debate

When the guests arrived, Head boy, Steven, gave Milliband and Ferguson a quick close up of Cedar Mount's twin schools, and the impact they have on pupil awareness.   

Born in Tanzania himself, Steven highlighted last summer's visit from their Tanzanian partner school: "We hosted them.  We learned from them," he said.  "It was a change at a very small scale, but a significant change." 

Steven's introduction was followed by a chance for the pupils to put their questions. 

Several chose to ask Milliband about the MDGs in the context of the credit crisis.  For example, Owen wanted to know why the government spent billions bailing out the banks when there is so much to be done on the MDGs.  

According to Milliband, there wouldn't be any economy to fund development initiatives without the support for the banks.  "It's a false choice," he replied.

Others asked about the impact of the recession on the funding available, and the balance between development and debt.  When asked what would happen if the MDGs weren't fulfilled, Milliband was bleak. He told the children that many would suffer and die. "The consequences will be dire," he said.

Milliband said that in his opinion the most complicated MDG to achieve would be the one on climate change. "But you don't have to agree," he said, "That's the beauty of living in a democracy."

The pupils also wanted to know what Manchester United was doing to help meet the MDGs. Ferguson told them about their partnership with UNICEF. "We are role models," he said, "All my players are recognised wherever they go."

Diversity at the heart of the school

Within the Cedar Mount pupil body some forty-six languages are spoken.  Milliband commented on global make up of the school, asking a pupil born in Zambia whether he had been back, and joking with Sir Alex that was the only Scot present. 

"Diversity?  Either it's a problem, or it's something to celebrate," said former Head and host, David Hutchense. "We decided to celebrate."   

Partner schools around the world are part of the school's strategy for community cohesion. 

Staff encourage pupils to engage in global issues and to expand their horizons.

Last year a group of students spent time in China with their twin school Jiaotong High School in Beijing.

"It's a completely different culture - brilliant!" says Ricky, recalling his visit. "We made friends and still speak to them. We talk about going back, and they're coming here in February."

The event ended with a dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year performed by Cedar Mount pupils.  

And after Milliband and Ferguson left, what did the pupils think? 

Head boy Steven was delighted.  He said he would remember every detail. 

Ricky was going to tell his mum about meeting David Milliband, and his Nan about Sir Alex: "She loves him!"

How did they do that?

Cedar Mount High School's partner schools in Tanzania and South Africa are facilitated by the British Council's Connecting Classrooms programme.  For Connecting Classrooms, three schools in the UK work form a cluster to work with groups of schools in two other countries.  Cedar Mount's cluster have been working together since 2006. 

The Cedar Mount partnership with Jiatong High School in Beijing is funded with DCSF grants supported by the British Council.  The two schools have been working together since 2005.

The Millennium Development Goals represent a global commitment by 189 nations who signed the Declaration at the UN to reduce poverty and improve lives by 2015:  
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
Find out about the Millennium Development Goals on the BBC World Service website. 

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