A school has welcomed 50 German pupils as part of a new venture.

Year 9 language students at Budmouth Academy welcomed the pupils from the Nelson-Mandela-Schule in Dierdorf, Germany as part of a new exchange partnership between the schools.

Sophie Roberts, Subject Coordinator for Modern Foreign Languages at Budmouth Academy is particularly pleased to have established the connection with the Nelson-Mandela-Schule as it was the school, she herself visited as an exchange student growing up.

She said: “I stayed very close friends with my German exchange partner and her family and then worked at the school briefly between 2016 and 2017.

“It is wonderful to come full circle in this way. I hope we’ll be able to work toward many more happy exchanges.”

The students and their exchange partners embarked on a packed programme of events, including a visit to the National Sailing Academy on Portland, a trip to Chesil Beach, a discovery trail around Weymouth, and a commemorative tree planting and a traditional afternoon tea with the Mayor of Weymouth.

Budmouth student Elise said: "It was a really fun experience and I really enjoyed talking to my partner and discovering similarities and differences about our lives."

Ms Roberts said: “Welcoming our German partners from Dierdorf has been enriching for everyone involved.

“It has been wonderful to see our students form new connections with their German partners and we look forward to seeing where these connections lead in the future.

“We have been very proud to see how our students have challenged themselves and fully engaged in this experience.”