Amidst gorgeous weather, the Year 9 trip to France saw 119 students visit Normandy where a good time was had by all.
A ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Caan followed an early morning departure, and the long coach journey ended with arrival at Chateau Beaumont for dinner. It was great to be hosted again there by a wonderful team with whom our school has built up a fantastic relationship with over many years.
The following morning saw students go to a traditional French market at Laval, then onto shopping in a nearby hypermarket, before returning to the chateau to do outward-bound style activities during the afternoon.
During the early evening students took in a leisurely stroll around the picturesque village of Chailland. (Sabrina Carpenter recorded her Grammy Award-winning 2024 album Short ‘n’ Sweet in a studio here.) Later, the main meal of coq au vin was accompanied by the chance to try snails – and plenty of students dived right in. Staff were able to source access to the England versus Paraguay game for those students who wanted to watch it.
The next day saw an early start to Mont St Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then onto St Malo with some free time around the historic walled town.
The trip is a marker of Key Stage 3 coming to close and students preparing for their GCSE (and equivalent) courses, with work experience also something to plan and look forward to in Year 10. By tradition, virtually every student had a short 1-to-1 conversation with the Headteacher to discuss their future plans.
Mrs Wakelin, who organised and led the trip, said: “We were really thrilled that so many Year 9s came along. The trip is about boosting confidence, giving students a cultural experience and, most importantly, making memories. The students were fantastic throughout and enthusiastic about every opportunity the trip offered them.”
