Two sixth formers from Clevedon Community School are in hospital in China being monitored for symptoms of swine flu.

Eight other students and two teachers from the school are in quarantine at a hotel in Beijing.

The 12-strong group travelled to China a week ago. They are among 1,000 on the trip which was organised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the British Council and Chinese organisation Hanban.

Three children from London were found to have high temperatures when they arrived in Beijing last week.

They were taken straight from the airport to a hospital where it was confirmed they had the virus. A fourth classmate fell ill later.

Last night a total of eight students were in hospital including the two from Clevedon.

Head teacher of Clevedon Community School, John Wells, said: “On entering Beijing, the Chinese authorities took the standard medical tests for all visitors to the country and at this point they identified students from one school who were in a position of risk.

“These students were removed from their group and taken to hospital.

“Once the authorities had decided which other schools had travelled with this particular school they decided to place a number of other students from different schools in quarantine. Clevedon School students were included in this group.

“Clevedon School is in regular contact with staff and students in China. They are all being regularly monitored during this period.

“Two Clevedon school students have been deemed to be a risk and are now being monitored in hospital. The length of the quarantine is one week and we think this will end on Wednesday.

“The welfare and health of all our students and staff is paramount. We are talking to and meeting with parents on a regular basis to keep them informed of the current situation in China.”

A total of 52 UK pupils and teachers are under quarantine at a four-star hotel in Beijing.

The Clevedon Community School pupils, who are all in their late teens, have sent emails saying they are being well looked after.

One of the pupils Joe Robinson wrote: "It's all good and well here.

“We're being treated very, very well. The food's great. We've got our own individual tellies."

They also had individual rooms, he said, although they had to wear protective face masks and were not allowed outside of the quarantined zone.

“We hope we experience more of China as we should be out within four days."

Another pupil, Christopher Hicks, said that they had been visiting the Great Wall of China when they were called back, because they had previously shared a bus with a pupil from another school who had tested positive for the virus.