Exchange Programme
KGGS has run exchange programmes for many years and we have deep-seated connections with our friends abroad. These cultural exchanges are not only an excellent way of improving language skills through immersion, but a unique opportunity to experience a foreign culture first-hand through the eyes of a host family, seeing beneath the surface a tourist would experience and gaining a true understanding of a country.
French Residential
Y9 students are currently given the opportunity to take part in a French and History residential visit to Normandy during term 5 or term 6. This trip provides an excellent opportunity for the students to improve their language skills by immersing themselves in a foreign country, but also to broaden their horizons through the experience of French culture and French food. They thoroughly enjoy using their knowledge of French to follow guided tours, read and understand the information around them, but also to go into the shops and around the Bayeux market to do some shopping and interact with other people.
During the trip, students visit Rouen, Honfleur, Arromanches, Bayeux market and the Bayeux tapestry, as well as other places linked to WW2 and the D-Day landing.
German Exchange
The German Exchange has been running successfully for almost thirty years and is one of the highlights of our international programme. Our partner school is St. Adelheid Gymnasium in Bonn, a girls' grammar school like KGGS.
The exchange is open to Year 9 students and usually takes place in June, with the German students visiting us first in February or March.
During our stay in Germany, students take part in a variety of exciting excursions, including a visit to a sports museum, a castle, and a boat trip on the Rhine. They also enjoy a guided tour of the Haus der Geschichte in Bonn, which provides a fascinating insight into Germany's post-war history. Other highlights include exploring the historic centre of Cologne and a day trip to the picturesque town of Cochem on the River Mosel, renowned for its medieval charm and stunning riverside scenery.
Students also spend half a day attending lessons at St. Adelheid Gymnasium, giving them a valuable opportunity to experience everyday school life in Germany.
Evenings and weekends are spent with host families, allowing students to immerse themselves in German culture, improve their language skills, and experience German hospitality first-hand.
The exchange is a rewarding and memorable experience that helps students develop confidence in speaking German, build international friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of life in another country.
Japanese Exchange
In 1993 Celia Whiting and Councillor Wheat began an exchange programme with Minami High School from Fukushima, Japan. In the following 21 years, hundreds of KGGS students have been led by numerous staff in this sought after exchange that has helped to continue our long-standing friendship with Minami High School.
Each year a group of students and staff from Minami High School travel to Britain and stay with host families of KGGS students and staff. The students value the experience of living with a British family and immersing themselves in British culture and traditions. During their stay they complete a school project on a current issue - in recent years this has focused on energy sources. To enhance their studies, we include taught lessons where possible. In recent years, Mr Bennett has taught students about reacting acids, how to make a pH rainbow and did some demonstration including a water cooler bottle on fire. Our Food Technology staff always teaches a baking lesson; the treats from which are always enjoyed! Students then tour some of the delights of Lincolnshire, including meeting the Mayor in Grantham, Lincoln Castle & Cathedral and Harlaxton Manor.
During the Easter holidays 2025, a group of KGGS students and staff then visit Japan. In previous years this has involved a direct exchange with host families in Fukushima. The 2011 disaster had led to the exchange moving to Tokyo temporarily. Since then students and staff have visited Tokyo for ten days and the spa town of Hakone for three. The itinerary for the trip is action packed, providing students with the opportunity to experience as much as possible. During our time in Tokyo we visit cultural sites that provide an insight into Japan's rich heritage such as the Meiji Shrine, the Edo Museum, Roppongi Hills and the Senso-ji temple situation next to our accommodation. This is coupled with experiencing the modern delights of Tokyo including the bustling Shibuya scramble crossing, Akihabara technology centre, Harajuku station and Disneyland Tokyo! For the upcoming trip in October 2026, our students will be able to experience living with their host families and discover a bit more Fukushima region as well as attending classes.
If you are interested in taking part in this historic exchange at any level, please see Japanese Exchange Coordinator for more information. Miss Pourchet Mr Henshaw or Mrs Cartwright.
