Take an authentic French school trip, but in the UK!

A French school trip without leaving the country? Ce n’est pas possible!  

Here at Voyager School Travel, we are doing just that. In Autumn 2023, our experienced animateur team from France is taking over the beautiful Dearne Valley residential centre in the South Yorkshire countryside to deliver our tried and tested French language immersion programme - right here in the UK.

Why are we bringing our French language school trips to the UK?

As French language immersion specialists, we know how valuable this kind of experience is. As our founder and CEO Nigel English explains, “We believe that immersion is the most effective way to learn a language."

"MFL teachers organise exciting school trips to France but sadly not all pupils are able to participate, missing out on the valuable cultural, language and personal development benefits afforded with a French experience.  This is why we're on a mission to support all students and schools to access the benefits of authentic language immersion and a residential school trip - all without leaving the country."

Authenticity is the key to our UK-based French trip pop-up

In our survey of MFL teachers, three quarters of respondents said they would be interested in the idea of a language immersion experience in the UK. Paramount to a UK-based language programme, they said, was an authentic experience with French-native instructors, which is where we excel.

With the benefit of years of practice with school groups, our native French speakers will give students the same French school trip experience as our France-based programmes. As they do at Chateau de la Baudonniere, our animateurs will lead the super-fun activities such as archery, kayaking and climbing as well as mealtimes, workbooks and downtime - all in French. The only difference is that your group will be in Yorkshire!

Why choose a French language immersion school trip with Voyager?

We have been providing immersion programmes in France since 1997 and see firsthand the progress students make in their confidence, fluency and understanding of the language after only one week at our centres.  Voyager French immersion trips are unique in the way that we have our own team of trained and experienced French-native animateurs to engage students and encourage dialogue and discussion in a meaningful, supportive and fun environment.  

We're serious about the educational outcomes of your trip and our team will coax the best out of even the shyest of your French learners. By using their French in a 'real-world' setting students quickly see the benefits of learning a second language and, after just a few hours on our programme, will delight in the experience of understanding, and being understood in, a different language.  

What can you expect from our French immersion residential pop-up?

Based on our hugely popular language immersion programme in Normandy, we are offering three- and five-day 'French school trips' in the UK where we will engage your students in an-action packed itinerary of activities and tasks.

To ensure that each student gets individual attention and opportunity to communicate fully, groups size kept to a maximum of 12 and teachers take a back seat as our animateurs take over from morning until night.  Our unique programme is conducted wholly in French and begins the moment you arrive with a range of indoor and outdoor adventurous activities, water sports, games, a quiz, bread-making, meals and initiative exercises.

As a residential, this programme is a great opportunity to offer the traditional residential school trip with the added value of French language immersion.  Not only will students have the opportunity to develop resilience, make friends and try lots of new activities, they work on their French fluency and confidence in a fun and encouraging setting. The perfect combination of a UK residential and French school trip!

Find out more about our French language immersion UK takeover here.

Where in the UK is our French immersion residential pop-up?

Our 2023 French immersion UK pop up will be held at the former Earth Centre, in South Yorkshire.  A stunning site on the banks of the River Don, Dearne Valley provides a purpose-built school activity facility within easy reach of the A1(M). Student accommodation is dormitory style and close by are the party leader en-suite bedrooms and private lounge.

We have limited availability for September 2023 so get in touch to start planning your UK-based French school trip today!