'En France'
Chateau Robert
Chateau Robert is a fine eighteenth-century chateau set in forty acres amid the rolling hills of Gascony, five kilometres from Grenade sur L'Adour in South West France. The famous seaside resort of Biarritz lies nearby to the west and the Pyrenees Mountains are a short drive to the south. The area is renowned for its Fois Gras and there are many historic towns and villages in the locality. The chateau is owned by a member of the Proprietors' family and has been restored to a high standard.
Curriculum
Chateau Robert enables Brockhurst and Marlston House Schools to provide wider opportunities than most other preparatory schools in the country. The schools use the chateau during the spring term and all pupils aged between eleven and twelve spend time studying French intensively during their stay, which usually takes place during March. Teachers from the two schools staff the chateau with a French caretaker and a domestic assistant.
The children undertake an intensive programme of work designed to give them the greatest possible opportunity to practice spoken French. Visits are organised to the surrounding towns and villages and they purchase some of their provisions from local daily markets. Classes are conducted in French and they are expected to converse in French at mealtimes.
This type of study allows the children to become involved in the life of the local community through their chosen individual study and visits. Broadening their outlook and knowledge of another culture in this way is something which shorter trips cannot achieve, and they are able to progress more rapidly in fluency and to gain greater confidence in spoken French.
The whole programme of work is designed as an excellent preparation for the Common Entrance French examination to senior Independent schools and offers the broader gains of increased self -confidence, the ability to work in a group and general self-reliance.
Physical Education
There is a full programme of physical education. The chateau has a new hard tennis court, swimming pool and well-equipped games room. At weekends, excursions are organised to places of interest including visits to the coast and nearby skiing resorts in the Pyrenees.
At other times of year, the chateau is available for rent subject to availability. It makes an ideal base for a family holiday to the region. Details of this may be obtained from the Principal's office.
