Normandy Trip

Year 8 French students started the summer holidays putting their language skills into practice in rural, northern France.

On the penultimate day of the summer term, 36 pupils set off for La Mazure, deep in the Normandy countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Avranches. After a six-hour ferry crossing, the group arrived at their accommodation on the banks of the Sélune river.

The girls enjoyed a packed, five-day itinerary which included town visits, browsing for fresh products in local markets, as well as a tour of the very busy but beautiful Mont St Michel. Despite some rain in the port city of St Malo, the group still managed to enjoy an ice cream and a tour of the ramparts. The trip also involved a farm visit, where the salted caramel and different types of cheese proved extremely popular. Another highlight was going to the beach to play beach volleyball and build sandcastles in the sunshine. As a phone-free trip, the girls embraced plenty of outdoor fun, played card games together, and made the most of speaking French in a range of settings.  Wherever the group went, members of the public, and staff at our centre, commented on their good humour, enthusiasm, and politeness. Thank you to all our staff and pupils who made the visit such a memorable one.

We provide ample opportunities for pupils to immerse themselves in different languages and cultures, including online sessions with pupils in different countries, homestays abroad with local families, and international work experience placements.  All pupils study either French, German, Mandarin or Spanish in Year 7, as well as Latin, adding a second Modern Language in Year 8 and Year 9; students study at least one modern language to GCSE, with several continuing to A Level and beyond each year.