We wanted to set up a network of foreign partners to promote our vocational courses, which are often unattractive but essential to the local job market. By working with schools and companies in Europe, we wanted to exchange working practices and methods, such as caring for the elderly in different cultural contexts. We also wanted to innovate in teaching practices by discovering foreign education systems. We hoped to incorporate innovative teaching techniques and new teaching materials, such as the use of specific technologies in housekeeping or home care. Immersion in a professional and educational environment abroad helps to improve our command of English by developing a specialised vocabulary, facilitating international exchanges and collaborative projects. We wanted to strengthen the feeling of European citizenship, promote living together, and open up new prospects for mobility and personal development for our pupils and teachers. This project would strengthen cooperation between the different sections of our school.
Having never carried out this type of action, we have written this project in 2022 to create a dynamic for the Vocational Education Section and to envisage the participation of students at a later stage. The Lycée RENAUDEAU, located in Cholet, has 1,700 students and is distinguished by its "Lycée des Métiers", "E3D excellence" and "EUROSCOL" labels. It comprises a general, technological and vocational lycée, higher education courses and a continuing education establishment. However, the SEP, which has 292 pupils mainly from disadvantaged backgrounds, has never taken part in any Erasmus+ projects. Our pupils often find themselves limited to their local area. The Erasmus+ project responds to this need for international openness for them, aiming to develop their linguistic, professional and social skills. We also want to involve teachers from different disciplines to enhance intercultural learning. Our project is based on collaboration with European educational and industrial partners, which will enable our students and teachers to benefit from an enriching international perspective and strengthen their sense of belonging to Europe.