Our forty three students and 4 members of staff boarded the coach on Wednesday December 18 2024 with a range of feelings. For some, this was their first venture outside of the UK and for all, an opportunity to put their learning into practice, spend quality time with peers and staff and experience new places and activities. 

At our first stop, Pete (our friendly and entertaining coach driver) took the wheel and with serious skill, guided us through customs and onto the Eurotunnel. We arrived at our rural accommodation centre and settled in for the night. 

Thursday was packed full of a wide variety of activities, and after a hearty breakfast of warm pastries, hot chocolate and fresh baguette, we set off for our chocolate factory experience, combining languages and workplace experience. 

After a thought-provoking visit to the largest cemetery for foreign soldiers in France and a visit to Le Touquet, we moved on to an afternoon creating ceramic masterpieces. As the students went off to their rooms after dinner, we were impressed by various events during the day; students independently connecting and engaging with this experience by ordering items in French, adapting to a variety of new situations and responding to challenges.

We look forward to future trips for both languages!