Baguettes and Rollercoasters: Year 8 Explore France

Each year, our Year 8 French students trade their classrooms in Woodley for the historic streets of Boulogne-sur-Mer. This trip is a long-standing tradition at The Bulmershe School, designed to give students a chance to use their language skills in the real world and experience French culture first-hand.

Putting Language into Practice

The journey usually begins with a very early start at school, but the excitement carries the group through to the ferry crossing at Dover. Once in France, the first stop is often the coastal town of Boulogne. This is where the hard work in the classroom really pays off.

Our students are encouraged to visit local shops and cafés to order their own lunch and souvenirs. It is always a proud moment for the staff to see students successfully navigating a conversation in French, even if there is the occasional mix-up between "fromage" and "beurre"! These small interactions are vital for building the confidence that we want all our linguists to develop.

From Boulangeries to Chocolateries

A key part of the trip is seeing how traditional French food is made. Over the years, our students have visited artisan chocolate factories and traditional bakeries. During the boulangerie workshops, the demonstrations are often delivered entirely in French. It is impressive to see how much the students can follow as they learn the art of breadmaking.

The cultural immersion continues into the evening meals. While we often stick to familiar favourites like fish and chips or chicken supreme, there is usually a chance for the more courageous students to try something new, including the famous French snails.

Culture and Community

No trip to France would be complete without a visit to a French supermarket. Whether it is a quick "supermarket sweep" for snacks or a hunt for the perfect gift to take home, it provides another layer of everyday French life for the students to experience.

The final highlight is often a day at a theme park, such as Bagatelle or Parc Astérix. These parks, based on famous French characters, offer a fun way to end the trip. It is a chance for the year group to bond and share their experiences before the journey home.

A Credit to the School

While the sights and activities are memorable, the real success of the trip lies in the conduct of our students. Year after year, the staff are impressed by how polite, curious and well-behaved our Year 8s are. Whether they are waiting patiently to check into a hotel or navigating a busy market, they represent Bulmershe brilliantly.

We are very grateful to the staff who give up their time to lead these trips. These experiences give our students a genuine insight into French culture and help them see why being able to speak another language is such a valuable skill for their future.