Et voilà! A week in Normandy helps boys improve their French

Boys from both ends of the School benefited from the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French language during a summer holiday trip to Normandy.

Thirty-eight Year 7 boys went on an adventure holiday at the Chateau de la Baudonnière, where French-speaking organisers ensured they practised their language skills as well as getting to grips with a number of sports.

Also on the trip were six Year 12 linguists, who took part in work experience in local businesses, with most placements involving them working directly with customers.

The Year 7s participated in a range of outdoor activities, including raft-building, archery, climbing and sports. They therefore had to learn new vocabulary that described both the equipment and the physical activity itself.

They went on trips to the Bayeux Tapestry and to the 360-degree cinema on the clifftops at Arromanches. The cinema, which dominates the remnants of the two artificial Mulberry harbours set up by the Allies for the World War II Normandy landings, shows a high-definition film about the Battle of Normandy on nine screens.

For their part, the older boys enjoyed evening activities including a visit to a traditional restaurant, an outing to the cinema and a cheese-tasting evening.

Christopher Kidd, our Head of Languages, said: “Not only did both groups of boys have a thoroughly good time, they also benefited tremendously from the invaluable opportunity to practise their French intensively with native French speakers.”