Primary Language Teacher of the Year, Janet Mair of Neroche Primary School in Ilminister, Somerset, has just returned from a 3 day trip to Northern France courtesy of La Jolie Ronde Languages for Children.

Primary Language Teacher of the Year, Janet Mair of Neroche Primary School in Ilminister, Somerset, has just returned from a 3 day trip to Northern France courtesy of La Jolie Ronde Languages for Children.

Janet, who won the trip as part of the national award to recognise the best in Primary Language teaching, also took along 30 eager pupils from years 3-6 and 5 staff from the school.

Janet and her pupils travelled via the Eurotunnel to Stella Plage in Northern France and had fun completing a whole host of activities. The children experienced many aspects of French life and French culture during their busy three-day break, as well as having the opportunity to practise their French.

A professional chef at a French bakery demonstrated how to make croissants and each pupil had the chance to sample the delicacies and a visit to a French primary school proved extremely popular. (photo attached) Here the children were welcomed into the classroom and got to find out what school life was really like in France as well as working together on activity sheets in both French and English and having fun working out the answers!

Janet says “This has been an amazing prize that so many people have benefitted from. The pupils loved the residential centre we stayed at describing it as a 'luxury hotel' and having 3 courses for both lunch and dinner was a real highlight for them. For me the best part was seeing the children enjoying speaking and practising their French, particularly at the primary school we visited. Another opportunity for them was at the local market and a visit to a farm and chocolate factory where they were able to look at and ask questions about local produce. The trip was most certainly an experience none of us will ever forget”, she added.

Janet held a lottery to make it as fair as possible which pupils were able to go on the trip and for the ones that remained at school Janet ensured they were treated to a special French style cafe.

'Passionate', 'lively' and 'inspiring' were just some of the words used to describe Janet’s outstanding skills as a primary modern foreign language teacher and ones which saw her take the well deserved title of Primary Language Teacher of the Year at the Finalists Ceremony in November 2010 at the House of Lords.