A Menstrie student was chosen to represent her school at a conference in India.

Pupil Charlotte Beckham (17) travelled to Bhopal, India as one of the two young delegates representing her school Beaconhurst at the Round Square International Conference.

The independent Bridge of Allan school was awarded membership of the organisation, a network of 146 schools across five continents, after a strict assessment in late September.

Charlotte, who is studying French and German and already has five A-grade Highers, said after returning home: “The conference was an amazing experience, we spent five days living on the school campus and slept in dorms with pupils from all over the world.

“There were some fantastic keynote Indian speakers and a lot of interesting debates about the treatment of women in India and feminist issues such as female infanticide.

“The conference also gave the 370 pupils delegates a flavour of what Round Square is all about.” Charlotte travelled to India with the school’s Round Square representative, assistant head Dawn Haughton, headteacher John Owen and fellow pupil Jamie Salem-Dalgety.

The school’s membership caters for international student and teacher exchanges as well as community service projects and conferences.

Charlotte added: “As a languages student I am now looking forward to some great international opportunities. We could have the chance to go on exchanges with schools on other continents, such as Asia and America, which is not something you often have the opportunity to do.” Round Square schools share the same goals and are dedicated to promoting personal development, responsibility, environmental stewardship and international understanding among students. Mrs Haughton was delighted that the school was awarded membership. She said: “It’s fantastic to be named a member of this renowned organisation and the opportunities afforded the Beaconhurst community as a result are endless.

“It extends our network 146 times because we can access the resources of all member schools around the world.” There are 12 Round Square schools in the UK with Beaconhurst and Gordonstoun in Moray, Prince Charles’ former school, the only Scottish institutions to achieve the honour.