General presentation of our school
Pontarcher Vocational School is a school for teenage students that provides technical and professional training in the hotel and service sectors. We are located in Vesoul, a town in eastern France, in the region of Franche-Comté.
At Pontarcher, we are committed to helping students overcome social and cultural barriers in order to pass the Baccalauréat (ALEVEL). We work hard to help individuals turn dreams into achievable goals through accessible, high-quality learning opportunities.
We have highly professional teaching and support staff with high expectations for our students. We are committed to supporting and challenging our pupils so that they succeed in their learning and develop into confident young citizens.
Alongside their vocational subjects, our students also study general subjects, including foreign languages (English, Spanish and German). Every student is required to study at least one foreign language, and most study two. To broaden our students’ horizons, each of them has the opportunity to apply for a work placement abroad, thanks to our ERASMUS+ partnership and the involvement of the pedagogical team.
Our school has been awarded the EUROSCOL Label, which recognises schools that give a European dimension to their educational projects. Lycée Pontarcher offers two European Classes in Hospitality & Catering and Reception Services (front desk activities).
Departments
There are around 500 students at Lycée Pontarcher studying for their Baccalauréat Professionnel (the French vocational school-leaving certificate) across seven subject:
- Hospitality & Catering – Cooking
- Hospitality & Catering – Service
- Management & Administration
- Sales
- Business & Commerce
- Reception Services
- Health & Social Care
Qualifications
- Baccalauréat Professionnel (Vocational School-Leaving Certificate)
After leaving collège (lower secondary school), French students may either continue in general high schools or choose to learn a profession. Those who choose vocational education are directed to schools such as ours. Students enroll in a specific field (see above) and study for three years to obtain their vocational school-leaving certificate, completing one or two periods of work experience each year.
- BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur)
After obtaining the Baccalauréat, students may choose to remain at Lycée Pontarcher for further studies in Hospitality and Catering Management. This two-year program leads to the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) and can be followed either:
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- as a paid apprentice (alternating periods of work and study), or
- as a full-time student (with a work placement at the end of each academic year).
Facilities
Our students come from all over the region, and many stay in the on-site boarding facilities during the week.
Lycée Pontarcher benefits from a modern and spacious hospitality and catering building constructed in 2010. This facility includes two silver-service restaurants that are open to the public and run by our Hospitality & Catering teachers and students. They offer high-quality dining experiences at a significantly reduced cost.
International mobility
Lycée Professionnel Pontarcher is a member of the Bourgogne–Franche-Comté Erasmus consortium and is involved in several international projects :
- We send students abroad
- We receive foreign students
- We send staff members abroad
- We receive staff members
Our partners include :
- Cyprus
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Luxembourg
We are keen to develop new partnerships and to send even more students and staff members abroad. We firmly believe in the importance of broadening horizons. As a small school, we can offer “home-made”, personalised exchanges to our partners’ students.
These international work placements are fantastic opportunities for our students. In addition to improving their foreign language skills in a real working environment, these experiences abroad allow young people to discover new working practices. They also help students develop autonomy, self-confidence, and a sense of responsibility.
This is the most common feedback we receive from our students after an experience abroad.
As a result, we are always keen to expand our network and establish new work placements and partnerships. Please do not hesitate to contact us !
Cécile Plaisance / Yannick Swedrak
Erasmus Coordinators
Pontarcher Vocational School
Place Jacques Brel
70000 Vesoul
France
