Employability

Project overview

Mintlaw Academy’s interdisciplinary project, Oui Oui Caudalie, brought together the Languages and Science departments to deliver an engaging eight-week learning experience for S1/2 learners, exploring the science and language of skincare. The project aimed to promote curiosity, collaboration, and creativity while developing learners’ understanding of chemistry, sustainability, and marketing through the medium of French.  

Partners involved

The project involved close collaboration between the Languages and Science faculties, supported by the school’s PT Learning and Teaching, and the Natural Skincare Factory, a local business specialising in sustainable and handmade skincare products. Staff from the Natural Skincare Factory visited the school to provide in-person advice and teaching on marketing, digital media, and understanding customer bases for over 30% of the allocated lessons. Their professional insight offered learners an authentic link to industry, deepening their understanding of how science and language skills are used in real-world contexts.  

Planning process

This first iteration of the project included the business partner in the planning process from the outset. Joint planning meetings between the Science and Languages departments, and the Natural Skincare Factory teams, ensured alignment of Curriculum for Excellence outcomes and provided valuable professional input. The planning evolved as working relationships were established and as staff gauged what learners could achieve. This flexible approach allowed activities to be adapted to suit learners’ needs and interests as the project progressed.   

Activities undertaken 

Learners investigated the properties of natural ingredients, carried out practical experiments to design their own skincare products, and developed French advertising campaigns to promote them. The project culminated in a showcase event where groups presented their products and marketing pitches to the HT, PTA, and a representative from the Natural Skincare Factory.  

Feedback, impact and future plans

Feedback from learners highlighted increased engagement, confidence, and enjoyment of both Science and French. Staff noted improvements in collaboration, creativity, and team working skills. Following this successful first round, Mintlaw Academys hopes to continue offering this elective in future years, further developing partnerships with local businesses and expanding opportunities for enterprise and sustainability learning.  

Similarly to Mintlaw Academy’s excellent Spanish Kitchen submission from last session, the verification team all hailed this project as an excellent example of high-quality, authentic interdisciplinary learning that provides a hands-on experience for learners.   

We loved the creative and unusual nature of this project, and the way in which it links to a local business in a sector that may not appear to be an obvious one for language links. This excellent choice of partner brought valuable specialist knowledge and expertise to the learning experience. Like its predecessor, Oui Oui Caudalie is a very well-planned, well-evidenced project which exemplifies the best of partnership working.   

While this project involves two year groups, which can be one of the criteria for a Silver Award, both groups take part in the same activity with one partner organisation and in one language, thereby aligning with the criteria for a BRONZE award. Congratulations to Mintlaw Academy in being our first ever school to hold two Bronze SLEA awards simultaneously!