On Wednesday 12th March, 12 students from Year 10 went on a trip run by GCHQ and Business Language Champions. Students were given an introductory speech by a speaker from GCHQ who explained how the organisation works to keep the country safe on a day-to-day basis. She also explained the role of a language analyst, how they are often re-trained in languages needed by the organisation, and how they assist in the tracking down of criminals and gangs. 

Students were given taster sessions in Mandarin, Korean and Arabic before also being given basic crypt training. They were then given the main task of the day: to work out the plan of a criminal gang working in either France or Spain by tracking and deciphering  messages from the gang. The students worked incredibly hard at cracking codes, deciphering and translating messages in order to complete this task, as well as to help save a member of GCHQ who had been taken hostage! They then prepared their presentations in French and Spanish which they gave superbly to members of GCHQ in these languages, answering on-the-spot questions with aplomb!  In the afternoon, the teams were given the opportunity to buy supplies from a craft shop (all in French or Spanish), then design and make a board game about GCHQ. Their brilliant creativity came to the fore!

Members of GCHQ complimented our amazing teams on their fantastic team-work, their enthusiasm and also some beautiful piano playing at lunch time! They were outstanding ambassadors for Balshaw's High School, demonstrating not only a high level of competence in French and Spanish but also excellent logic and problem solving skills. Every student involved brought a different skill to the table and they were able to draw together all these strengths to solve the task. A huge well done to each and every one of them!

Here are some photographs from the trip: