The second leg of our 2025 French Exchange was jam-packed with fun learning and exciting adventures! 

Twenty-six students from Years 9 and 10, and four members of staff, visited La Ville Rose in Toulouse just before half term. They spent a week with their friends from Saint Joseph - La Salle Toulouse, who were here in Ely in the Lent Term.

The group crammed so much into their trip, immersing themselves into life with their host families, and soaking up the wonderful sights and sounds of Southern France. Students and staff explored the breathtaking cliffs of Rocamadour; visited Aeroscopia, Toulouse’s world-class aviation museum; cruised along the historic Canal du Midi; visited the medieval fortress city of Carcassonne; and explored the stunning crystal-lined chambers of Grotte de Limousis. The group also visited Domaine des Oiseaux, a nature reserve recently recognised with the prestigious European Wildlife Estates label; the beautiful Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile; and the inspiring Musée Toulouse Lautrec. Accrobranche - a high ropes adventure course suspended over the scenic Ariège River - went down a storm with thrill-seekers in the group! 

Madame Brigitte Bousquet, who is Head of Modern Foreign Languages and French at King's Ely Senior, said: "Students also experienced authentic school life, attending lessons alongside their exchange partners, and tackling subjects like Maths, Physics, and History (all in French of course!). We wrapped up the week with a culinary treat - a hands-on cooking masterclass where students prepared and ate their very own canard parmentier, which is a rich and hearty duck dish that was, without doubt, "vraiment délicieux"!

"As highlighted by one of the ISI inspectors who visited King's recently, exchanges are among the most powerful tools for cultural and linguistic learning. They challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new perspectives, all while building resilience. They make them more tolerant and accepting of differences. They also vividly demonstrate the cross-curricular links that bring education to life. In just one week, our students engaged with Physics, Sport, Art, DT, Food Tech, Literature, History, and more, all in a foreign language!

"A huge merci to Mrs Turner, Mr Humphry, and Mr Pinier for their constant support, care, and commitment throughout the trip - none of this would have been possible without them. And to our fantastic students! Their impeccable behaviour, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness made this exchange truly special. They were outstanding ambassadors for our school. Planning for next year's exchange is already underway. Don’t miss out - registration letters will be sent home before the end of term. Until then, à bientôt!"

Enjoy lots more photos from the exchange on our Facebook page: Facebook