The accident happened at 3am (2am GMT) on the A26 motorway near the city of Reims in the Chalone-en-Champagne region.
The pupils, from Alvechurch Church of England School in Worcestershire, were returning home from Italy's popular Valle d'Aosta skiing region.
The coach, owned by Solus Coaches, based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, left the motorway and fell down an embankment, ski company Snowsport School has confirmed.
A 61-year-old man, believed to a teacher, has been killed, a 13-year-old girl is in a coma and five other people are in a critical condition.
There were two coaches on the school skiing trip -the one carrying girls was involved in the accident.
The coach carrying male pupils has now returned to the Worcestershire school.
No futher details of what caused the crash are known, but the ski company has said there were two drivers onboard, along with six Interski instructors and 13 adults belonging to the school party.
The driver, who was slightly injured, has tested negative for drink or drugs and is being questioned by police. It is believed he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER: officals are helping victims
Sky's Becky Johnson, outside Alvechurch Church of England School, said is is "an extremely worrying time" for parents waiting for further news.
She added: "Children turning up at the school are visibly upset and their parents are trying to console them."
A bus has been sent to pick up those able to travel home. It is expected to return to the school by 10pm this evening.
The UK Foreign Office said it was urgently investigating the incident and Sir Peter Ricketts, The UK's Ambassador to Paris, is on his way to the scene of the crash.
:: People in the UK who are worried about relatives and friends should call the Foreign Office's helpline on 0207 008 1500.
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