Half term has been anything but quiet for our Worksopians! Mrs Scoular and Mr Mora teamed up for the collab of the year, taking our French and Food and Nutrition pupils on a four-day adventure to Normandy, packed with new experiences, delicious food and a little bit of history.
Day 1: Bonjour, Normandy!
After travelling through the night, the group arrived in foggy Normandy, ready to get exploring.
First stop was the beautiful harbour town of Honfleur, famous for its traditional houses, cobbled streets and seaside charm. The pupils had the chance to soak up the atmosphere before heading to Château du Baffy, where dinner came with a distinctly French twist: a tasting of snails and frogs’ legs!
An adventurous start to the trip, and certainly not your everyday school dinner (although we must admit - ours are pretty good!).
Day 2: Say cheese!
Day two was all about cheese, goats and discovering what goes into making some of France’s favourite produce.
The pupils met the goats behind the cheese, giving them a closer look at where food comes from and how local produce is made. It was a brilliant opportunity to bring their Food and Nutrition learning to life, with a little French culture thrown in for good measure.
Now that’s what we call going straight to the source!
Day 3: A journey through history
There was a change of pace on day three, as the group explored some of the most significant sites associated with the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
The day began in Bayeux before continuing to Arromanches, where the pupils watched a film about the Battle of Normandy at the 360° cinema. They then visited Gold Beach, one of the five D-Day landing beaches, to see the remains of the artificial harbour built in Britain and transported across the Channel.
The group also visited the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, the final resting place of 9,389 American servicemen and women, followed by the British War Cemetery at Saint-Manvieu.
These visits offered a moving opportunity to reflect on the events of the Second World War and the lives affected by it, bringing the history books to life in a very real way.
Day 4: A little bit of magic at Mont-Saint-Michel
The final day took the group to Mont-Saint-Michel, the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site whose history stretches back to the 8th century.
This remarkable rocky island has served as a place of worship and a fortress, and even became a prison during the French Revolution. The pupils had time to explore its winding streets and visit the magnificent abbey, which overlooks the surrounding bay.
And, of course, no trip to France would be complete without crêpes! The group rounded off their adventure at a local crêperie, enjoying both savoury and sweet varieties.
Four days to remember
From trying traditional French delicacies and meeting the goats behind the cheese to exploring historic D-Day sites and discovering one of France’s most iconic landmarks, the trip offered a little bit of everything.
It was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to practise their French, explore food and culture first-hand, and experience the kind of learning that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom.
A huge merci to Mrs Schoular and Mr Mora for making it all happen!
