Chinese academics visited the Oasis Academy to find out more about its dementia cafe scheme.

Youngsters there regularly work with elderly people affected by the illness.

It is this which promoted the Alzheimer’s Society to recommend it to the Chinese Embassy.

VIDEO: A Chinese delegation visit to the Oasis Academy

The doctors and professors wanted to see how a community-based scheme would work.

On Friday, they visited the school’s Minster site along with residents from Barton Court Care Home and Sittingbourne’s Court Regis Day Centre.

They were treated to hand massages, games of table tennis and dance performances from pupils.

Professor and volunteer at the charity Alzheimer’s Disease Chinese, Hual I Wang, said: “The project aims to raise public awareness with the disease.

“We would like to train public family care givers to improve their skills to take care of their relatives.”

Praising the school’s work, she added: “We’re glad to see pupils are so involved with so many activities and get quite motivated in educating the public and providing support for old adults in the community.”

The cafes were started by three pupils who wanted to get involved with caring for people with the disease. Community liaison Paul Murray said: “It’s a student-driven idea.

“We were recommended by the Alzheimer’s Society and the Chinese visitors were told if they wanted to come somewhere where they do things differently they should come here.

“It’s the training given to the students who opt to do it is central to what we do.”

Visitors were invited to share cake and discuss their condition with the doctors, some of whom had travelled from the capital, Beijing.

A choir from St Edward’s Primary School also performed.

Jeannette Spooner, of Sittingbourne’s Willow Day Centre, said: “I think it’s fantastic the students here have got such an awareness of dementia.

“They’re courteous and have an understanding of the difficulties they have and our folk love being with the younger people.”

Closing the event, new principal John Cavadino presented the visitors with a picture of the academy and two books on the history of Sheppey.

He said: “We are extremely proud and honoured the work our students do with dementia care not only reaches out to our community, but also builds links across countries and continents.”