A GROUP of 14-year-olds took part in a work experience week with a difference after they travelled abroad to sample different working cultures.

The group of 11 pupils, from Blakeston School, Norton, travelled to Germany last month with their teacher, Anne Smith, to work in businesses, including hairdressers, a chemist, a nursery and a department store.

They will compare it with a week working in English businesses next summer.

The scheme aimed to improve the pupils' German, give them a taste of German life and show them they can work abroad when they are older. The group stayed with families in Emmelshausen.

Mrs Smith said: "The children really enjoyed it and it gave them a good opportunity to improve their German. We stayed with families, which was different from staying in a hotel, and the whole trip proved to be very successful."