Yeeeeeeehaaa Nearly 100 Wey Valley students took part in their school's biggest school trip to America.

The 93 students - all aged between 11 and 17 - and 11 staff visited Washington and New York during an eight-day tour.

The trip was organised by teachers Christine Taylor and Margot Stanley.

Ms Taylor said: "It's got to be the largest we've done.

"It always has a culture and fun theme. We've been doing it every two years. Two years ago we went to Rome and Sorento. Before that Athens and Tolon.

"Margo and I have been to America three of four times and we thought Let's take the kids there'.

"The students were absolutely blown away by everything about America.

"The Holocaust Museum was amazing.

"It was about learning about other people's cultures and history and of course, enjoying themselves as well.

"So obviously there was a lot of shopping too."

Ms Taylor said that to ensure staff could easily keep tabs on students they wore blue baseball caps. She said: "The students had blue ones with Wey Valley School - England -USA- 2007 Tour on them. These were a real godsend when it came to finding the students and it also stopped one boy from being lost on Liberty Island.

"We took a ferry to Ellis Island to see where all the immigrants to the USA had to land and live until being accepted - including Irving Berlin and Albert Einstein - and the boat stopped at Liberty Island first. We had decided not to get off there, but one of our Year 9 boys got off the boat. Luckily one of the members of staff spotted the blue cap and we all shouted at the poor lad to get back on the boat."

And the group raised eyebrows of airline cabin crew.

Ms Taylor said: "The Virgin staff, by the way, said that their hearts sank when they saw that a school party of 104 was on board, but they thoroughly enjoyed our company and commented on the good behaviour and manners of the students.

"Also, several passengers took the trouble to tell staff what a pleasure it had been, along with the hotel staff in both Washington and New York. All in all, a fabulous experience."