May 18th, 2026

Romina Morrone Vaucheret and Lorena Verdier Cabrera (English Teachers)

A group of 8th and 9th grade students from Crandon participated in the ACE Programme in England last April. It was an enriching experience both academically and socially. During their stay at Cheltenham College, students not only had the opportunity to practice the language in lessons with native speakers and real-life contexts, but also to immerse themselves in the British culture through a variety of activities and excursions.

Among the most significant excursions were the visits to Oxford and Cambridge, cities renowned worldwide for their prestigious universities. Walking through their historic colleges allowed students to engage with centuries-old academic traditions, as well as to reflect on the importance of education as a driver of personal and professional growth. At the same time, they were able to appreciate the beauty of their landscapes and iconic constructions, from the striking architecture of historic buildings to the green spaces that create unique environments rich in history and cultural value. We also had the opportunity to visit Bristol and Birmingham.

It is especially worth mentioning the visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, where we toured his childhood home. This experience brought students closer to a key figure of world literature, fostering a more meaningful connection with content often studied in class, as they were able to recognize in these spaces the legacy of authors and traditions that have transcended borders and time.

In addition, students completed two academic modules: Community and Commerce and This Is Your Life. In the first module, they worked in groups to create a product, learned about marketing strategies, and developed the skills needed to sell their product at a fair. In the second module, This Is Your Life, each group interviewed a local hero from a young carers charity and produced a short documentary about their lives, highlighting their experiences and contributions.

After all this hard work, it was time to celebrate achievements at the awards ceremony, where Crandon proudly won the ACE Trophy for the fourth time, alongside other awards presented to individual students in recognition of their effort and accomplishments.

Once the ACE programme was finished, the group enjoyed three days in London, where they visited some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Covent Garden, Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the British Museum. As the icing on the cake, they attended a performance of The Lion King musical, making the experience even more memorable. 

Throughout the trip, students showed enthusiasm and curiosity when faced with new experiences. Living together in shared accommodations and classes, dealing with everyday challenges, and interacting with people from different cultures all contributed to the development of their autonomy, confidence, values, and social skills. In this sense, the trip went beyond the strictly academic, becoming an empowering and formative experience that will surely leave a lasting mark on their educational and personal growth.

The ACE Programme, created by Dusemond Education, is an international academic and cultural experience that combines English-language learning with teamwork, leadership and real-world projects. ACE —which stands for Academic excellence, Competitive spirit and Energy to succeed— brings together students from different countries to work collaboratively on themed challenges that promote communication, creativity, critical thinking and social awareness. The 2026 edition of ACE took place from April 1st to April 14th. Our group left Montevideo on March 30th and returned on April 17th.