Twenty-five pupils from three Chester primary schools have returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to India.

Children from Grosvenor Park CofE Academy, St Martin's Academy in Hoole and Acresfield Academy in Upton – all part of North West Academies Trust (NWAT) – travelled to India accompanied by nine members of staff, immersing themselves in the country's rich culture, history and education system.

During their visit, the year six pupils explored the bustling capital of Delhi, where they experienced an exhilarating rickshaw ride and visited a vibrant spice market.

In Jaipur, they discovered some of India's most iconic landmarks - including the stunning Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), the magnificent City Palace, the historic Amber Fort, the hilltop Monkey Temple and the remarkable Chand Baori stepwell.

The group also travelled to Agra to visit the breathtaking Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Pupils were captivated by the beauty and history of the worldfamous monument.

Throughout the trip, children embraced new cultural experiences. They sampled local cuisine, tried a range of traditional dishes and enjoyed masala chai served in small clay cups. Visits to local bazaars and markets gave them the opportunity to practise their negotiation skills as they learned how to haggle respectfully with traders.

For the final three days of the visit, pupils attended Delhi Public School, where they received a warm welcome from staff and pupils during a special ceremony and celebratory assembly.

The children dressed in traditional costumes, met their Indian buddies and took part in daily yoga sessions alongside their peers. They also joined lessons, gaining firsthand insight into school life in India while forming lasting international friendships.

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The trip was organised by Global School Alliance and made possible through partial funding from The Turing Scheme, the UK Government's global programme to study and work abroad.

"This truly was a trip of a lifetime," said Karen Rogers, headteacher at Grosvenor Park CofE Academy, who accompanied the pupils on the visit.

"India is a wonderful country with incredible places and people, and our children embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and respect.

"It was fantastic to see pupils not only building friendships with children from our other Trust schools but also forming meaningful connections with students at our partner school in India. We are very much hoping to welcome them to Chester in the future."

Further information about North West Academies Trust can be found on the Trust website.