STUDENTS at Dean Academy in Lydney recently returned from a four day trip to Barcelona, where they experienced its vibrant city culture and brushed up on their Spanish skills.

Jane Burns, assistant director of communications at the academy, organised the visit and said: “The trip was an amazing experience for our students and it was great to hear them practising their Spanish. They all gained so much confidence in the short time we were there.”

Year 11 GCSE Spanish student, Lottie Hughes, said: “The trip was a great way to experience the language and culture of the city. I had an amazing time.

“We visited Nou Camp Stadium, the home of FC Barcelona, and admired its enormous collection of trophies. We saw Gaudi’s architecture, including Park Güell and the unfinished cathedral Sagrada Familia.”

Jane added: “A trip to the aquarium and science museum were also included as well as dinner at the Hard Rock Café and watching a colourful display at the Magic Fountain. All of this was broken up with lots of shopping and learning how to master the Barcelona Metro System.”