We recently sat down with Judith Hunt, Faculty Leader for Languages at The Chase School, to learn more about why the Château du Molay continues to be their destination of choice year after year. From the château’s unique atmosphere and wide range of activities to the lasting impact it has on pupils, Judith shared her insights into what makes this trip such a memorable and meaningful experience for both staff and students alike.
“Who knew goat farms and snail farms could be so good? They’re brilliant!”
What is it about the chateau that keeps you coming back year after year?
I think, firstly, the location is brilliant. It allows for a really nice cross-curricular approach. We cover history, but the students also get exposure to France in a very contained and low-stress way, particularly as we take Year 7.
The location is self-contained, which is ideal. There’s plenty for the students to do during downtime, and we know they’re safe. They can go out front and play, and there’s always adult supervision.
Even if we’re handling one issue, the chateau staff are also keeping an eye on things. So, you feel the staff-to-student ratios are really good. The food, the rooming, and general setup are all very suitable for 12-year-olds, and it eases the pressure on staff, making the trip much less stressful.
Over the years, we’ve had children dropping nail varnish on the floor in the middle of the night. But there’s always someone who says, “No bother,” and helps out. That extra layer of support makes a huge difference.
It’s just such a well-located venue. The crossing from Portsmouth is easy, and we’re only on the coach for about 45 minutes after that. You’re not on the coach for hours and hours so it’s a really easy journey.
Then there’s the variety of things you can do. I was even persuaded to visit a snail farm last year. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but I trusted the organisers, and it was actually brilliant and so we’re going again this year. Who knew goat farms and snail farms could be so good? They’re brilliant!
“Parents feel they get really good value for money because the children have stuff going on from dawn until dusk, so they’ve always occupied so they’re getting really rich experiences doing so many things.”
What aspects of the Château experience do you and your colleagues value the most?
The outdoor space feels safe and secure, which I think is reassuring for parents. They see it as great value for money because the children are busy from dawn until dusk, so they’re always occupied so they’re getting really rich experiences doing so many things and come back buzzing.
The site gives students a sense of independence. They can’t go far or get lost, so we can let them have 30 minutes of free time before dinner, and we know exactly where they’ll be. There’s always an adult nearby, so although they feel independent, they’re well supervised. It’s the best of both worlds.
“Little details make a big difference. For instance, the fact that there’s an armchair in every landing for staff at bedtime – it sounds small, but when you’re trying to settle 45 children, it really matters.”
The staff are very well looked after – no more than two per room, with access to tea, coffee, even a glass of wine at dinner. There’s a dedicated staff-only area with comfy chairs. Those thoughtful touches mean a lot, especially when you’re on duty 24/7.
Because staff give up their weekends, we essentially work 12 days straight work. Just those little details give us those 10-minute breathers in Normandy that help you get through to the following weekend for a rest.
How do your pupils react to their time at the Château?
The Year 6s already know about it before they’ve even arrived. And the fact that the siblings talk about it, that it comes up at open evenings – it just shows how much of an impact it has.
It’s become our flagship trip for Year 7. Parents ask about it during induction evenings – “When does the Normandy trip launch?” It’s become part of our school culture. I couldn’t cancel it even if I wanted to. Siblings talk about it. At open evenings, Year 6 students ask, “Can we go?” It’s a big part of our identity.
For most of them, it’s their first foray abroad without parents, which can be nerve-wracking, but the chateau makes it feel manageable.
The fact that it’s fun, busy, and well-supervised really helps. There are always adults around to help, which makes it a very positive experience.
Learn more about facilities at the Château du Molay
Wow, it sounds as though pupils share their positive experiences after the trip. Do you have the same staff attending each trip to the Château du Molay?
We usually have a stable team, but this year the popularity has soared. Normally we take one coach of 45 children; this year, we had over 100 applications. We’re now taking 84 children across two weeks. I couldn’t disappoint so many in their first week of secondary school, so we doubled up.
This meant doubling the staff team too, and lots of colleagues volunteered. Some are seasoned trip staff – one always leads the history elements – while others are new and keen. It’s great for getting more staff interested in other trips too. Once they’ve been on a well-run Travelbound trip, they’re more likely to sign up for others. If they know it’s going to be a well-organised trip, they’ll be open to other trips as they know it will be good.
This is our first time taking two coaches – it may also be the last! But yes, it’s all coming together. Having good coach drivers helps a lot. Some know the area well and suggest little hidden gems we can add to the itinerary. That flexibility makes a big difference.
Normandy is great for that – so many historical landmarks and opportunities to stop off and enrich the experience.
“The blind trail is a big hit, especially when water is involved!”
Can you share some of the standout moments from your most recent visits?
In terms of the most memorable activities, food tastings stand out – particularly snails. The disco and karaoke are also hugely popular. The blind trail is a big hit, especially when water is involved! Bowling evenings are always a favourite.
My deputy trip leader is an ABBA fanatic, so we usually end up doing a medley. It’s not exactly polished, but it’s fun, and the students love that we join in.
We tell them there’s no point bringing phones, which means they can truly be present. No filming, no photos – just kids being kids.
Some schools do fancy dress for disco nights, but we don’t. Our pupils get excited just dressing up nicely. At 11 or 12, the disco itself is exciting enough. Older pupils might need more persuasion, hence the costumes.
Children being children – sing and dance and don’t worry about it. We have a no phone policy at times so they can embrace the activities because they get so much from it. All those opportunities Travelbound provide for them to have those lovely times they just embrace because they’re not got a phone in front of them to be on Snapchat or Instagram, they’re just doing it, and they throw themselves in wholeheartedly which is really lovely to see.
“The food, the rooming, the whole setup is so 12-year-old friendly.”
What role does the onsite Travelbound Château staff and facilities play in your decision to return?
Having that continuity, knowing that the chateau has good systems in place. They know who is doing what, where and when. Nothing is too much for them. They just look after the children and doing everything they can to make it really positive. Again, it boosts their confidence and makes them think ‘yea, I’ll go on that next trip’ because they know it’s going to be positive.
They thrive on doing anything outdoorsy and a bit different. For us, it’s the fact they’re getting these experiences but it’s properly supervised. We’re there on standby but we’re not actually running the activity which therefore frees us up to keep an eye on behaviour while it’s run by people who know what they’re doing. The food, the rooming, the whole setup is so 12-year-old friendly.
“It’s a kid only zone”
When choosing accommodation for your school trips, what makes the Château du Molay a better fit than a hotel?
I think if you’re in a hotel with that number of children and there are members of public it becomes a really stressful situation because when you’ve got 45 or 84 12-year-olds in a contained space by the nature of the beast there’s going to be noise and I think they haven’t quite got the maturity yet to perhaps filter it to the level members of the public would like. So, because it’s a kid only zone you don’t have to worry about it. You tell them about behaviour expectations, we never want to be that annoying school, but you don’t have to worry to the same degree when you’re somewhere else. By the time you get to Year 9 / 10, they can cope with being in a hotel. Having the space at the chateau is amazing – there’s nothing worse than being in a hotel when you have 40+children and there’s no breakout space. What do you do when you want to brief them or kill some time in the evening.
“They’ll suddenly be amazed at how much French they can remember in order to order a crepe with Nutella – it’s fabulous!”
How does staying at the Château du Molay enhance your pupils’ overall learning experience compared to other trips?
While we are out and about, we’re so busy doing things. I think all the history comes in here – a lot of discussion when we’re out and about.
Staying at the chateau helps with their independence, their organisation, their problem solving – it’s amazing how resourceful the children can be when they’re in a dorm room, one shower and they all want to wash their hair. They can develop some really good problem-solving skills or when they all want to charge their mobile phones but have run out of plug sockets – you’ll be amazed at how resourceful they can be at figuring out schedules. It’s those sorts of soft skills and having independence on the chateau site sets them up for future school trips.
It’s not always stuff you can quantify but being away from home, learning how to pack a suitcase on the way back. They have to organise themselves – all those little things. Serving food – watching them with a big platter of chips trying to work out how everyone will get a fair share. We do a lot of history and weave in as much French as we can and try and create moments so they can have a go. The motivation when they’re at the market and see the crepe stall they’ll suddenly be amazed at how much French they can remember in order to order a crepe with Nutella – it’s fabulous. So, it’s those sorts of things I think they come away having learnt.
Has your school experienced the Château du Molay? Take learning beyond the classroom and contact our Travelbound team of educational travel experts today to create your next school trip to Normandy.
Comments are closed here.