A GROUP of international students at an independent school are stranded in the UK due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

A total of five pupils remain under the care of Felsted School after they were unable to return home in time before Governments around the world limited movement and travelling.

Bosses at the school have moved the students into one of the senior girls' boarding houses where they are continuing to be looked after by three members of staff.

There had originally been 13 foreign pupils - from Bermuda, China, Italy, Malawi and Russia - left stranded when Felsted School was forced to close in March under the Government's social distancing restrictions.

Eight have since been able to return home but give remain at the school and have been enjoying a very different Easter holidays to the one originally planned.

Staff who have remained to look after the children have helping them learn new skills such as speaking French.

The pupils have also had the chance to do some cooking, play sport and unwind with board games and quiz nights.

Headmaster Chris Townsend said: "Operating as a small household, the main aim has been to ensure each students’ wellbeing, health and happiness, and to give them some structure to their day.

"As such a unique group, everyone has got to know and respect each other really well, blending numerous cultures, languages and experiences in the process.

"It has been evident that all the students who have had to stay at Felsted have approached this unprecedented situation with maturity and courage, with some having to face challenging journeys in order to get home.

"They will certainly have a story to tell in years to come."

Felsted School says staff are trying to organise repatriation flights for the remaining students and hopes it will be able to get all children home to their families in the near future.

All pupils will be expected to continue studying at home, with work being set for them through software on Google.

The now empty school is currently being used as a temporary training basis for East of England Ambulance Service paramedics.