STUDENTS from North Yorkshire were enjoying a meal in a Paris restaurant when the deadly terror attacks broke out in the French capital.

The group of 26 sixth formers from Ripon Grammar School and three members of staff had been on an art trip when the horrific events unfolded around them.

The Upper Sixth students, who are all studying for an A2 Level in art, had headed out to France on Thursday, November 12 for an art trip, which the school has been running for the past ten years.

The students all arrived home safely in Ripon yesterday afternoon (Sunday, November 16) at about 5pm, when they were dropped off at the school and collected by parents.

Headteacher Martin Pearman said they had been halfway through an evening meal in a restaurant in the capital when shooting broke out as terrorists targeted restaurants and bars in the city.

The party immediately evacuated the venue and managed to make their way back to the hotel, where they remained for their safety.

“They were eating a meal in a restaurant and left their meal halfway through and went straight back to the hotel,” he said.

“The priority was to get somewhere safe.

“Our advice was to stay in the hotel. That’s how we saw it. They stayed in the hotel all day Saturday, they had a number of scheduled trips on Saturday, but clearly it wasn’t practical to go anywhere, the museums were shut and the Metro disrupted. They did art classes in the hotel Saturday afternoon.”

Mr Pearson said the party’s hotel was close to the Gare du Nord train station and were able to make their way on foot to catch the Eurostar yesterday (Sunday, November 15). The French authorities then got the school party on an earlier than scheduled train.

“The authorities were fantastic,” he said.

“They knew they were a school party and got them straight away on an earlier train to Kings Cross. They didn’t have to use the Metro at all, which was one less worry.”

Mr Pearson said it had been a tense time as the situation unfolded.

“We were very, very concerned. It took a while for a complete picture to filter through. Certainly on Friday it was of great concern. The priority was to get the pupils and staff safe.”

The majority of staff and students have returned to their lessons today.