IT'S one of the most exciting trips on the school calendar.

Every year youngsters from Thornden School travel more than 670 miles across Europe to boost their language skills.

Now the Chandlers Ford school is celebrating a decade of Spanish exchange trips with Colegio San Patricio in San Sebastian in Spain.

Spanish and English students stay in each others' homes, and year 10 Thornden pupils are given a tour of the city each May, visiting attractions including the Monte Igueldo mountain range, the historic town of Hondarribia and the Biarritz chocolate museum.

Meanwhile Spanish students are taken to Tudor House and Garden, WestQuay and London and get the chance to take part in maths and drama classes at the school.

Tracey Bevan head of modern foreign languages at Thornden School said: "I love the exchange for so many reasons. Watching pupils develop socially and gain so much confidence is an absolute joy.

"Their listening skills and ability to chat in Spanish also increases greatly as a result of this programme. This is good for their GCSE results but for me the best part is seeing them fall in love with the language and culture of a place I adore."

Thornden School has also held French exchanges for 14 years and German exchanges for 30 years.