Normandie à la Carte

The Team

IAN WOOD - DIRECTOR

Product Development, Operations France

In 1986 Ian Wood successfully completed a Sports Coaching course and a Diploma in Recreation Supervision. The following 3 years were spent in Wales working as a sailing and canoeing instructor to groups of varying ages. For the next four years Ian served with the Royal Marines where, amongst other duties, he instructed on Arctic ski and survival courses and was chief instructor for Royal Marines canoeing in Canada. From 1994 until 1997 Ian managed and developed a European Education centre in Normandy. His qualifications include being a British Canoe Union Level 3 Coach and A1 Assessor, as well as being a Royal Yachting Association Senior Instructor. He has also completed M.L.T.B. and S.P.S.A. training courses and holds an Advanced First Aid Certificate.

ANDREW CAVERHILL B.Ed (Hons) - DIRECTOR

Sales and Marketing, Schools Liaison

Andrew followed a professional training in Hotel and Catering Management by working in a restaurant in Paris and as a PA at a Relais Château hotel. From 1986-1994 he worked as a teacher at a preparatory school in Northamptonshire, 4 years of which were part-time whilst he successfully completed his B.Ed in Language Arts and Physical Education. After achieving the position of Head of Physical Education and teaching French and History, Andrew was given the responsibility of Master in Charge of Boarding, as well as being a member of the School Management Team. His experience in residential trips led him to a leading language centre in Normandy where he was appointed Educational Director.

SARAH WOOD - DIRECTOR

Course Programming

Sarah has worked in Outdoor Education for over twelve years. After six years experience in residential centres in Britain and Europe she was appointed Chief Instructor at a major water sports centre in North Wales. For five years she built up and managed a language centre in La Manche, being responsible for the planning and delivery of educational and activity programmes. Sarah is a Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Sailing Instructor, an experienced canoe/kayak British Canoe Union instructor and holds a current First Aid Certificate. She and Ian live near Avranches with their three young children.

LUCY CAVERHILL - DIRECTOR

Office Administrator

Andrew’s wife, Lucy, joined the Normandie à la Carte team in March 2001 and has taken over the day to day administration of both the UK and French offices. After ‘A’ levels, Lucy studied a 2-year Secretarial and European Language course and holds an Institute of Linguists French Diploma. Having worked as a Personal Assistant in London for 14 years, she moved to the Salisbury area before coming out to join Andrew in France. She is also a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award holder, and enjoys outdoor activities such as walking, sailing and swimming. Lucy assists with the group activities and together with Andrew, Ian and Sarah oversees the general running of the gîte at La Grand’ Ferme.

Solène Beaudouin and Guillaume Léguedé ("Guédé") joined Normandie à la Carte in January 2009 as part of our animation team.

GUÉDÉ

Animateur

After studying for a sports degree, Guédé initially worked as an activity and socio- cultural "animateur" in a number of different residential language/activity centres in France. He has also worked as a language assistant in the UK, encouraging children of all ages and nationalities in both French and sporting activities.. His passion and enthusiasm for sport is only too obvious to those he accompanies when climbing, kayaking, mountain-biking and playing football.

SOLÈNE

Animatrice

Solène is an experienced, qualified "animatrice" and residential centre manager. She has worked in a variety of activity/language centres, as well as "colonies de vacances" (French holiday-camps), with children of all ages and nationalities. Solène
has also worked as an au-pair and French assistant in the UK. Her extensive experience and original ideas bring much enjoyment and fun to the language-based activities offered by Normandie à la Carte.

Local Partners

Normandie à la Carte has built up a good working relationship with a number of local sports clubs. This has allowed us to tap into a large resource of qualified, experienced staff and an extensive amount of equipment. We work closely with the Club de Canoe Kayak d’Avranches, the Ecole de Voile de Granville (CRNG) and Sport Evasion d’Avranches. We also participate in and sponsor a number of local sporting events, including the Mont St Michel Raid.