The group stayed at the Château Beaumont education centre and paid a visit to Arromanche to see the remains of the artificial harbour built for D-Day. It was followed up with a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry, where students considered how the Normans came to England. They also paid their respects at the Normandy war cemeteries. French teacher Anne Reeve-Mavrommatis, who led the trip, said: "The students were very solemn when we visited the war cemeteries - they were surprised by the number of unnamed graves and also that it included German graves."

The trip included a shopping excursion to a hypermarket where many students put their French to the test, a visit to the UNESCO site Mont-Saint-Michel and outdoor activities including a zipwire and a nightline. It finished with a French night - including a catwalk show of French fashions and the sampling of frogs' legs and snails - and a talent show.

Sixth Former Declan Oliver went along to support staff on the trip and helped to look after the younger students.

Student Jordan Ori-Orison said: "The most interesting thing was experiencing the culture and seeing what France has to offer."

Jessica Morland-Nutthall added: "It's good to visit France because you hear people talking and by listening to them, you can improve your own accent."