The residential weekend trip gave students the opportunity to practise their French, discover the famous Astérix comic characters, and immerse themselves in the classical worlds of the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians.

The trip began on Friday morning with a journey via the Eurotunnel, before the first stop at Boulogne-sur-Mer. Pupils visited the Nausicaá Sealife Centre, the largest aquarium in Europe, where highlights included spotting several species of shark and the awe-inspiring manta ray. Dinner followed at a Flunch restaurant, where pupils tested their French by ordering their own meals, before arriving at the group’s hotel, Les Trois Hiboux, located in the heart of Parc Astérix.

Saturday was dedicated to exploring the park itself. After enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, pupils (and staff!) braved the rides — with the infamous Tonnerre 2 Zeus proving especially memorable. The day ended with a hearty French dinner back at the hotel, complete with plenty of laughter and shared stories.

On Sunday, before returning home, the group made a final stop at a hypermarché to practise their French shopping skills, pick up souvenirs, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

The trip was a wonderful blend of language learning, cultural exploration, and plenty of fun. It remains one of the most popular Key Stage 3 experiences, and this year was especially special as many of our new Year 9 pupils joined the adventure for the first time.