This June, St. Joseph’s Year 6 pupils embarked on a remarkable trip to Nancy, Newcastle’s French twin city, thanks to funding from UK Government’s Turing Scheme. The visit followed months of collaboration with their partner school, Hubert-Monnais in Lunéville, where pupils engaged in live links and interactive lessons. This was a unique opportunity for the children to meet their French counterparts, attend lessons and immerse themselves in a different culture.
Pictured: St Joseph’s Primary School pupils and staff in Nancy, France
Accessing Turing funding with support from International Newcastle and Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness) enabled the school to provide life-changing, transformative experiences for children from the most disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.
This was a unique opportunity for the children to meet their French counterparts, attend lessons, and immerse themselves in a different culture. During their stay, the pupils practiced their language skills by conversing in both English and French, explored local cuisine, and participated in games and activities. The language barrier was hardly an issue, especially when football was brought out during break time, uniting everyone through the universal language of sport.
“I loved going to the castle and loved socialising with French children our own age. It was amazing how grateful they were when we gave them our bookmarks we had made for them.“
“I enjoyed playing (and winning) my first international football match against our French friends!”
“I loved the art and the museums, as I learned so much historical information.’
St Joseph’s pupils’ comments about their trip to France
The children visited local art galleries, museums and the aquarium, all at no cost. Mrs. Ludwig, the class teacher in Lunéville, ensured the exchange ran smoothly by arranging meals at local restaurants, including a special dinner at L’Excelsior on their final evening. Here, the children had the chance to try the authentic Quiche Lorraine from the Lorraine region.
In addition to cultural experiences, the pupils delved into the rich history of Nancy. They followed a history trail through the ancient town centre, drawing comparisons between Nancy’s history and their home city of Newcastle. At the Beaux-Arts Museum, they viewed works by famous artists they had studied, such as Monet, Picasso, and Seurat. They also learned about the impact of Art Deco on the city through a visit to the Musée École de Nancy.
As part of the exchange, the children had the honour of presenting a plaque from the Lord Mayor of Newcastle to the Mayor of Nancy. To conclude their trip, they took a scenic boat ride down the River Seine, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, learning more about the possibilities that travel can offer.
“This journey not only enriched the children’s understanding of French culture but also boosted their confidence. They gained valuable skills that will serve them in the future, from navigating travel to appreciating different cultures.
Most importantly, the experience has shown them that there are no limits to what they can achieve – they have already begun their own global adventure.“
Sharon Rogan, Head of School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Newcastle
“It is wonderful to be able to report another successful visit abroad supported by the Turing Scheme (Round 4). St Joseph’s has really maximised the opportunities for their pupils and delivered a fantastic visit with lasting impact.
Since February, there have been 15 visits abroad to partner schools in Europe, the USA and India, with over 300 children and young people involved – all supported by the Turing Scheme, without which, these life-changing experiences would not be possible.
We know that we have had many successes with schools being awarded funding in Round 5 of the Turing Scheme for visits in 2026 and the results will be public in August. We urge schools who are interested in developing international partnerships to get in touch, whether or not you have Turing funding, as we can support you.”
Further information and links
- Click here to find out how we support international links for Newcastle schools
- Get in touch with sarah.edgar@newcastle.gov.uk if your school is interested in establishing a new school partnership abroad