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Epsom & Ewell French Speaking Competition
Posted on: 05/02/2026The Modern Foreign Languages Department is incredibly proud to share the outstanding success of our GCSE
French students at this week’s Epsom & Ewell French Speaking Competition. Alexa, Max and Zara (Year 9),
alongside Luke and Ruby (Year 10), all competed with confidence, courage and impressive linguistic skill. They
represented Blenheim High School superbly against some of the strongest linguists from local state schools,
including Glyn School and Epsom & Ewell School, as well as fee-paying Epsom College.
Year 9 competitors performed advanced poems to a three-person judging panel, while Year 10 students delivered a three-minute presentation, followed by a demanding two-minute spontaneous questioning section conducted by French speakers. All students were highly commended by the judges for the quality, accuracy and confidence of their spoken French.
After a very close deliberation, Zara was awarded first prize in the Year 9 category for her exceptional performance of Le Chat et la Souris by Jean de La Fontaine, delivered entirely from memory with expressive actions, clear pronunciation and remarkable confidence.
In the Intermediate (Year 10) category, Luke and Ruby both delivered outstanding presentations, earning spontaneous and enthusiastic applause from the audience — well beyond expectations for students of their age. The spontaneous questioning section, in which candidates were probed and pushed to their linguistic limits, was a particular highlight.
Ruby was ultimately crowned overall winner, with Luke also receiving high praise from the judging panel.
This remarkable success secured an inaugural double victory for Blenheim High School, breaking Epsom College’s long-standing hold on the competition and marking the first double win in the competition’s ten year history.
We could not be prouder of all the Blenheim students who took part. An outstanding achievement — and we look forward to returning next year as defending champions. We are immensely proud of all our Year 9 students for their achievements.
