ADVENTUROUS girls and boys thoroughly immersed themselves in French culture during a trip to Normandy.

Year six pupils from Inglefield House and The Grange Monmouth Preparatory School rapidly improved their language skills, as they lived and breathed French throughout the trip.

Archery, assault courses, bread-making, canoeing, feeding farm animals and even starring in a fashion show were among the challenges taken on by the bilingual youngsters.

There was also time to reflect on the tragedies of war when children visited the Mulberry Harbours at Arromanches, the Pegasus Bridge and a 360 degree cinema showing an archived Second World WarWW2 film.

Hilary Phillips, Headmistress of Inglefield House, said: “Trips to the D-Day landing beaches tied in with the pupils’ WW2 studies, and brought it all to life for them.

“It gave the children a greater understanding of the harsh realities of war, which is an important lesson to learn.

“However the majority of their time was filled with adventurous activities which saw girls and boys work together brilliantly as a team, developing their language skills and thoroughly enjoying themselves."

“After the assault course everyone was so thoroughly covered in mud – it was difficult to tell the Inglefield girls and Grange boys apart.”

And Elaine Thomas, Headmistress of The Grange, added: “Prep IV’s French has come on in leaps and bounds (as has mine) with many of them saying that they are even starting to think in French.

“Total immersion in the language meant the pupils (and staff) only got what they wanted – such as seconds at dinnertime – if they asked for it in French."

“Sharing this trip with the Inglefield House girls made it all the more fun and lasting friendships have been made.”