Safety at our Activity Centre
All the Schools who use Le Château du Broutel will verify that we do not cut corners when it comes to Health and Safety issues. Each year we invest considerable sums to ensure the best and safest facilities are in operation.
Coaches
All the coach firms are contracted to adhere to our strict safety standards which are continually monitored. All conform to current EU regulations (ie: seatbelts, drivers hours, etc).
Activity Instructors
Our talented instructors are recruited in the UK and trained in France. We regard our staff as our greatest asset. The Course Report Forms completed by every school continually rate our staff as excellent, professional and caring. This is not achieved lightly.
Recruitment
We receive over 250 graduates and high calibre outdoor pursuit applicants for every 10 Instructor posts each year. Once interviewed and vetted, around 30 applicants are invited to attend a rigorous and demanding assessment weekend. Twenty are then selected for an in-depth selection week, leaving only the best candidates chosen to join our Château team.
Training
Extensive training takes place once an instructor is selected. This covers not only the fundamentals of the activities but also instructional techniques, Health and Safety, pastoral care, and first aid. All instructors are continually monitored on performance and safety on all activities. Great emphasis is placed on feedback from Party Leaders and teachers via the Course Report Forms, which aids our assessment of the quality and safety of instruction.
The most important consideration at Le Château is the Health and Safety of our clients. This is achieved as follows:
Qualifications
Instructors, not just Senior Instructors, hold the following qualifications:
* First Aid Certificate
* Grand National Archery Society; Leaders Award
* National Small-Bore Rifles Association: Youth Tutors Diploma Award
* British Fencing Association: Teaching Award
In addition, specialist qualifications relating to specific activities include:
* British Canoe Union: Instructor
As well as the above awards, every instructor receives training in Customer Care, Radio Voice Procedures, Emergency Procedures and Drug Awareness.
Instructor : Pupil Ratio
We operate all activities within the guidelines laid down by the relevant National Governing Bodies and the Department of Education and Science publication 'Safety in Outdoor Education'.
Examples of Instructor to pupil ratios are:
* Climbing: 1:1
* Abseiling: 1:1
* Canoeing: 1:8 inland water
* Archery: 1:12
* Obstacle Course: 1:12
Radio Linked Activities
All instructors carry two-way radios to ensure smooth and efficient communications.
Health and Safety Training
All departments receive Health and Safety awareness training by an independent expert.
First Aid
Every instructor and one member per department receives first aid training and holds a First Aid Certificate.
Equipment
All equipment is monitored and logged daily and is renewed on a continual and regular basis.
Courses
French Experience
The objective of our French Experience course is to provide students with the opportunity of experiencing French culture from a beautiful 18th Century Château.
more about French Experience...
French Adventure
The French Adventure programme is one of our most popular courses, offering tremendous value for money with a wide variety of activities for fun and adventure.
more about French Adventure...
French Language
The aims of our language course are to encourage pupils to speak and listen to the French language as often as possible while staying in an 18th Century Château.
more about French Language...
Guided WWI Battlefield Tours
It is not until you visit the cemeteries, trenches and memorials do you fully appreciate the true history of the First World War.
more about Battlefield Tours...
Bargain Specials
This recently developed discounted product will introduce le Château du Broutel to a wider selection of schools who previously would not be able to afford a trip to France, let alone stay in an 18th century Château.
more about Bargain Specials...
