An Isleworth school is allowing its students to interact with some of the most esteemed academics in the country with a new video conferencing initiative.

Gumley House Convent School in St John's Road, launched its first student video conferencing with Oxford University last week.

Students from Gumley's sixth form keen to pursue a career in medicine had the unique opportunity of hearing from a lecturer at Oxford Medical School via a live video conferencing link, which allowed the pupils to communicate directly with him and the Oxford students.

Stephen Byrne, one of Gumley's assistant headteachers, said: "Following a successful video conference on the Obama Election with American students a few months ago, I have been very keen to establish new routes to learning so our students can experience the highest realms of education through partnerships such as Oxford Medical School.