MY NEW LIFE AT BOARDING SCHOOL | M6 | 66 minutes

On the day before the new school year begins there is little excitement on the splendid estate of the Saint Martin de France boarding school in Pontoise. To judge by appearances, everything is ready. All that remains is to trim the hedges in the garden for all to be perfect to welcome the 600 boarders. On the other hand, in Le Havre, at the Lycée Schumann, all is in turmoil. Cupboards have been delivered with no doors, repair works are not finished and yet the 140 boarders will be sleeping here the next night. At Saint Martin, Camille discovers the new life she herself has chosen: uniform, fine estate to house the boarding school. But will she support the daily pressures of this English style boarding school? In Le Havre, Claire did not choose to be there so it’s been a wrench for the young 16 year-old to leave her family. Will she stand the strain? Our cameras take a close look at both institutions to provide a comparative perspective on the crucial week of the new school year.