Discover Our French Immersion Programme.
Working with École Cecil Newton, Creully-sur-Seulles
About the programme
At the heart of Select School Travel lies a deep commitment to enabling the next generation to understand and honour the sacrifices made during the Second World War. We are therefore really proud to announce our new French Exchange Programme with Ecole Cecil Newton – a primary school in the village of Creully, Normandy.
By immersing students in real world learning we aim to spark curiosity, understanding and a love of discovery. We really believe this exchange programme will provide a unique and exciting opportunity for students to experience French culture, practise language skills, grow their confidence and above all, make new friends.
What the Programme can offer
Before you go:
Whilst you are there:
When you return:
Before you go:
Letter Writing / Pen Pal
Giving students the opportunity to get to know who they will be visiting and practise their reading and writing.
Whilst you are there:
Games
Games that involve speaking and listening can be a fun and interactive way for children to practice and build on language skills whilst also connecting across cultures.
Whilst you are there:
Picnic Lunch
An activity such as a picnic provides a friendly, immersive, and meaningful way for children to connect in a relaxed setting whilst practicing language skills in an authentic context.
Whilst you are there:
Excursions
An excursion to the castle of Creully or the Winston Churchill Education Centre at the British Normandy Memorial provides a great opportunity to blend language learning and sentence building, cultural discovery, and local historical understanding in an immersive and memorable way.
When you return:
Letter Writing / Pen Pal
A wonderful way for students to maintain their improved language skills, by continuing their communication with the friends they have made, whilst further building on their reading and writing.
Letter Writing / Pen Pal
Giving students the opportunity to get to know who they will be visiting and practise their reading and writing.
Games
Games that involve speaking and listening can be a fun and interactive way for children to practice and build on language skills whilst also connecting across cultures.
Picnic Lunch
An activity such as a picnic provides a friendly, immersive, and meaningful way for children to connect in a relaxed setting whilst practicing language skills in an authentic context.
Excursions
An excursion to the castle of Creully or the Winston Churchill Education Centre at the British Normandy Memorial provides a great opportunity to blend language learning and sentence building, cultural discovery, and local historical understanding in an immersive and memorable way.
Letter Writing / Pen Pal
A wonderful way for students to maintain their improved language skills, by continuing their communication with the friends they have made, whilst further building on their reading and writing.
Meet our Château Advisor
- Steve Ringwood
Educational Tours Manager, Normandy
As Normandy Specialist and Educational Tours Manager, I bring over 20 years of school travel experience and a passion for French culture. Having explored Normandy extensively, I offer in-depth knowledge of its history, attractions, and learning opportunities. My role is to help schools design memorable itineraries that showcase the very best of Normandy — from inspiring excursions to authentic cultural experiences.
Intrested in our Immersion Programme?
Get in touch
Please submit your details and one of our Travel Advisors will be in touch soon.
About Ecole Cecil Newton
L’Ecole Cecil Newton is a school located in the village of Creully, which is a mere 3km from our own Chateau du Baffy.
Since 2006 the school have arranged for their 4th and 5th grade students to partake in a five day trip to England every other year, in order to visit London and visit a British school. These trips are always well attended and much anticipated, and the students thoroughly enjoy their connection with the UK. This connection is felt so strongly that on the 6 June every year, as part of the D-Day commemorations in Creully, the students read out, one by one, each of the names on the Regimental Memorial. Then, following the minute’s silence, and before singing their own national anthem, they sing in English, without any notes, all the words to our own national anthem.
Our relationship with Ecole Cecil Newton began through our support of their activities celebrating the remarkable friendship they shared with WWII veteran Cecil Newton, a regular guest at our own Chateau du Baffy.
About Cecil Newton
The school is named after D-Day veteran Cecil Newton. Cecil was a 20 year old tank crewman in the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards, who came ashore on Gold Beach on 6 June 1944. The Royal Dragoon Guards, along with the Canadian Scottish, liberated the village of Creully on D-Day.
Cecil went on to serve for three years of the war, before being medically discharged from the Army in November 1944 following a deadly ambush in Germany. The incredible map of his route with the Regiment, from D-Day to his discharge, can be seen to the left.
For very many years later in life Cecil would cycle to Normandy ahead of each D-Day to ensure his fallen friends and comrades were remembered, often delivering books to the children of the local school. It is through these visits that he built such a strong friendship with the school in Creully, who, in 2019, the year which marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, renamed themselves Ecole Cecil Newton in his honour.
Inside the school hangs a portrait of Cecil which was commissioned by King Charles III, when Prince of Wales, which was gifted to the school by Martyn Bowden, Chairman of Select School Travel. We also have a copy of the portrait hanging in the bar of Chateau du Baffy.
In 2024 Cecil made his last visit to Normandy. Whilst there, he was able to pay tribute to his fallen friends during the many significant D-Day 80 commemorations, speaking vividly of his memories of that day in 1944. As significant, was the time he was also able to spend speaking, and singing with, his many young friends at Ecole Cecil Newton.
Legacy
Sadly Cecil, one of our last D-Day veterans, passed away peacefully in May 2025 at the age of 101, just two days before VE Day. A class from Ecole Cecil Newton were enroute from France to Cecil’s home town, which was hosting the VE Day commemorations, to play a part in the activity.
We at Select hope this exchange programme will be a testament to his memory. Cecil had a great ability to bring people together through his tenacity, courage, and good humour, and we hope to follow his lead, strengthening our bonds between school communities and inspiring young people to learn from the past to help ensure that the stories of courage and liberation, like Cecil’s, are never forgotten.
Gallery
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- Gourmet cheese platter, restaurant table
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- Grilled chicken breast served with mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, and broccoli on a white plate
Building on our Partnership
British Normandy Memorial & Winston Churchill Education Centre
Select School Travel is proud to announce a new partnership with the British Normandy Memorial and its Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning, marking a major milestone in educational school travel. As the preferred travel provider for school groups visiting the Memorial, Select also confirms the elegant Château du Baffy—just 15 minutes away—as the recommended accommodation for visiting schools. With its rich character and ideal location, the château offers students a unique and inspiring base for immersive historical tours and meaningful reflection on the legacy of D‑Day.