STUDENTS and staff at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton had a very successful first leg of their French Exchange programme at the end of last term.

Students and parents alike were very pleased with the whole experience and there were many tears as the exchange students said their goodbyes and began their journey back to France.

As in previous years, their visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall was a huge success, and the tour of Exeter underground passages took its victim once again, as a member of the French staff and a student feared to go in the tunnels to explore the underground.

The guided tour at Exeter Cathedral was very interesting and the students learnt a lot, finding especially fascinating, the stories of the Cathedral’s working cats!

This year they held a new trip to Dartington Crystal at Torrington which was also a great success. The students toured the factory, learning the history of Dartington glass in the museum and watched a live demonstration of glassmaking amongst many other hands-on activities.

Next year they are set to visit again, but next time the students will be given the chance to craft and paint their own glass whilst they are there.

QE invited Exeter Morris to perform – their enthusiasm and passion for dance was incredible as they entertained the students and taught them how to dance in the traditional Morris style.

Since the French students have returned home, the students from both schools have been in contact. They are all very much looking forward to the second leg of the exchange in May, where QE students will visit a school in Avranches, France.

Jocelyne Whittaker, who organised the exchange programme said: “Our French exchange students had a brilliant stay with us and I would like to give a special thanks to the parents for their generosity, hosting, and for providing delicious desserts for the soirée, to Queen Elizabeth’s Educational Foundation for their support and to the Twinning Association for hosting our extra French student.

“Thank you again to everyone involved - Merci!”