STUDENTS enjoyed a taste of life in European schools when they took part in exchange visits to France and Spain.

The year nine and 10 pupils stayed with partner families of students who had already visited them in Portishead.

In addition to attending lessons at the local schools, the pupils managed to squeeze in some leisure activities including kayaking, sailing and walking in the Pyrenees.

All agreed they had benefited from the overseas trips and are looking forward to returning in 2014 to extend their language studies.

The picture on the left shows some of the students during their trip to Spain.