A group of Year 12 and 13 French students spent five busy days in the lovely town of Lille over February half-term. The trip, a new destination for the French department, was a great success, with pupils bravely tackling a work experience placement in local shops, hotels and businesses which allowed them to speak French in real-life situations. In addition, a variety of cultural activities enabled pupils to get to know the town and to meet local people. A tour of the town on tandem bikes with a French guide was a chilly but fun experience and the pupils’ investigative skills were put to the test with an “escape the room” game, with clues provided in French via live video link.

On the final day, the pupils’ hard work during their work experience placements was rewarded with a tour of the beautiful old quarter of Lille – in a convoy of classic Citroen 2CVs, whose drivers related some interesting tales about Lille. Lunch on the final day was prepared by the pupils themselves in a cookery lesson under the supervision of a French chef – a test of  both linguistic and culinary skills!

Mr Maddocks, Head of French