Sixth Form students visited Paris for three days during the half term, speaking lots of French and gaining a valuable insight into life in France's beautiful capital city.

Travelling by Eurostar from London, the girls negotiated the métro on the non-stop three-day trip, and were treated to informative guided tours of the likes of the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de la Parfumerie.

Emily Carter (Lower Sixth) said: “For me, the most exciting part of the trip was a backstage tour of L'Opéra Bastille. Having an interest in theatre and music myself, I was amazed to see the behind-the-scenes workings of such a significant organisation, such as the set builders at work and the orchestra warming up for a rehearsal.

“The tour, along with all the other activities, was entirely in French, and I found the experience helped me improve my listening and speaking greatly; spending an entire meal only conversing in French was particularly difficult but truly rewarding for everyone.”

Like Emily, many of the girls thrived by immersing themselves in the French culture, with Elli Chappelhow not wanting to leave.

“I was very apprehensive about whether I would find it hard conversing in French with various people, ranging from my classmates to the locals.

“However, I was surprised and rewarded, firstly with how much I was able to understand (a highlight was following closely the plot of a French film), and secondly how quickly I began to feel relaxed in the French-speaking environment.

“By the third day I felt confident in speaking and so didn't want to return home. The trips were culturally and linguistically beneficial and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity.”

Mlle Stuart said: "Un dernier mot pour dire que, pour moi, ce séjour a été vraiment mémorable pour beaucoup de raisons. Un grand merci à mes collègues, Marion et Mme Arrowsmith, et aux filles qui ont été super!