French school holidays 2017/2018 – Update!
There are three terms in the school year, starting in September. Dates of French school holidays vary according to the “zone” you live in.
Education in France
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Education in France.
Here you can find all the answers to your questions about Schooling in France, from a complete introduction to the French Education system, helpful tips to help you choose a suitable school for your children, how to talk to your children's teacher and other useful information.
French School SystemAn in depth look at the different types of Schools in France
Choosing a SchoolInformation on choosing a School and children's integration |
French School LifeA taste of what goes on during a school day in France
Home and SchoolInformation about Home Teaching, School holiday dates |
LATEST ARTICLES ON EDUCATION IN FRANCE
France launches new classes on ‘moral and civic’ education
At the start of the 2015 school year France introduced new ‘civics lessons’ in primary and secondary classrooms aimed at defending the values of la Republique.
Regional and departmental education contacts in France
Your handy list of French region and department education authority contacts in France Below is a run-down of the major educational structures in France followed by a comprehensive list of the regional academy contacts in France, plus the departmental services within those regions.…
A guide to education reforms in France in 2015
Reforms to the French collège system In spite of much consternation, union disgruntlement and, naturellement, strikes by teachers back in May, France’s Socialist Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem’s reforms to educational practices in French middle schools (collèges) for pupils between 11 and 15…
Allocation Rentrée Scolaire • Back to school grant
The allocation rentrée scolaire is a grant to assist households under a certain income level. It may help offset the cost of books and materials.
Starting a Pilates business in the Pyrenees
Suzy Duncan moved to the Ariège with her husband and two daughters during 2012. She’s since set up her own business, Pilates in the Pyrénées, in Saint-Girons…
Doing an internship in France
Are you as student looking for your dream internship in France? Here’s all you need to know in order to make this first professional experience abroad one hundred per cent positive and memorable.
What is Vie Scolaire in French schools?
What is vie scolaire in French schools and what is its function? Your questions answered…
Did you ever study in France? Join the club!
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a new “France Alumni” social network for former foreign students to keep in touch with each other and keep their connection with France alive.
Living and studying in Paris
Andrea knew she wanted to live in France ever since her first day of French class when she was 13 years old…
The Paris Dream – Immersing yourself in the culture
What happens when you have a people who are fiercely proud of their culture and a person who is fiercely proud of their individuality? …
Bilingual Schools in Provence
“IBS Classroom” For families wishing to ensure their children are prepared for both the French Baccalauréat and either the English or American university system, there are a number of bilingual international schools in Provence.
What’s on in the Midi-Pyrénées
There are all sorts of events being planned throughout the year in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Here’s our pick of the bunch, from springtime carnivals in Albi and Castres to local food festivals and major music concerts.
Living and studying in Paris
Ellie Cobbe spent six months studying in the French capital and met a wealth of different people from all different backgrounds with one shared philosophy: a desire to live and learn in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Extra-curricular activities
In France, the school day is long and children spend much of their time sitting behind a desk. They do, however, have a day off from school mid-week, providing an opportunity to practise sport or take on other hobbies.
Starting school in France
Holly was 12 when her family moved from Beaminster in Dorset to the Mayenne in France and had to go to a French school. Find out how she got on…
Moving teenagers to a French school
When Beth Ducat moved to France, she gave her two teenage daughters, Emma and Alex, the choice to stay in the UK or come to France with her. They chose the latter. Here, Beth tells how her daughters coped with their new French school…
Les colonies de vacances
Holiday camps for children (colonies de vacances) are not unheard of in the UK but in France they are a national institution. During the school holidays, French children aged from four up to 18 are sent away from home for several activity filled weeks.
Materials & Provisions
Parents are expected to purchase a number of items for their child’s education. A list of these can be obtained from the school or sometimes from the Mairie. Here is …
French state education – an introduction
French state education is well-organised, well-funded and with generally average to high standards in comparison to other European countries. The state system is also complemented by a comprehensive network of Private Schools including international schools…
French Private Schools
Around 15% of children in France attend private school of one kind or another. Schools come in many forms: international, catholic, American, British, day and boarding, French and bi-lingual.
Not surprisingly …
Primary Schools (ecole Primaire)
The basic tools of development French primary schools (also known as “écoles élémentaire”) cover the ages six to eleven with five courses of study, one for each year: CP – Cours Preparatoire CE1 – Cours Elementaire 1st year CE2 –…
Secondary Schools in France
Secondary education is compulsory until the age of 16 and includes attendance at a college until age 15. At 15 the next steps are decided by examination. The higher ranking students will have the opportunity…
School Selection
Which school? There are around 57,000 nursery and primary schools and 7,400 lycées in France so there is plenty of choice ! But of course most people will want to know where the nearest schools are in relation to an area they might consider moving to. A good place to start is to check the website of the nearest Académie…
Education in France – FAQ
If you are moving to France, you may have many questions about how to get your child into school and how they will adapt. Jacqueline Karp has taught in French schools and put her own child through the system. Here she answers your FAQs…
How will your children cope?
Perhaps the biggest concern for any family moving to the Limousin is how easily their children will settle here and the quality of the education they will receive. We met up with one family who came to live in the Limousin and have very much made it their home.
Applying for university in France
Once you have your bac “en poche” (literally, in your pocket), you have access to university, and as long as there is space, you can, in theory, sign up for any of the courses available. Jacqueline Karp tells you some of the points you need to be aware of.
Vocational courses in France after the Bac
Many students prefer to look at options with smaller class numbers than at university, more personal attention, and a professional qualification at the end of two years. So what’s available?
The baccalauréat VS. A-levels
The Baccalauréat is a state diploma awarded to pupils in their final lycée year. But how does it differ to A-levels? Jacqueline Karp explains…
Nursery Schools in France (maternelle)
Although attendance at Nursery school is optional in France attendance levels are high with around nearly 100% by the age of four attending Ecole Maternelle…
Talking to your child’s teachers
Meeting your child’s teachers can be nerve-racking if your own French is shaky. Here’s one way to overcome that language barrier.
French Parenting
‘When I arrived in Paris as an au pair, the school children advancing hand in hand in the streets immediately caught my attention. Just like “Madeline” in the 1930’s series about the little Parisian and her friends, “in the streets they walk in two straight lines”.’
Maintaining your children’s English in France
When Kathryn Dobson moved to France with her family she soon realised that her children were losing their knowledge and ability to write English. So she set up a small school that now runs a variety of classes and groups for both native English-speaking and French children and their parents…
International Schools in France
* International schools in France
* NEW: International sections within French lycées.
* Directory of schools
Third Term – why it matters to keep working hard
By now children have been assessed on their performance in the school year – and decisions have been made as to where they go next. But it’s not the end of the story…
How good is my local school in France?
There are no official league tables in France. In fact, they are frowned upon by some in the government and teachers, so it can be difficult to find out how good your local school really is. However, there are some statistics available.
Raising Bilingual Children: The Most Successful Methods
Have you ever noticed how poorly many children handle change and how they thrive when on familiar turf? When you’ve read that same story every night for two months, you’ll know what I mean. Certainly, kids learn languages under the most chaotic conditions – just look at the average dinner table scene – but some predictability within the chaos spells safety and security, which in turn promotes learning.
Homeschooling in France
If you’re worried about how your child is coping at school, perhaps home schooling is the answer – 500 families already do so in France. Stephanie Dagg, who has homeschooled her own daughter, explains how it works…
School Life in France
To start with we came over and lived in the holiday house that we bought 6 years ago, and (with an estate agent) drove around aimlessly looking for a for a good house. But we were choosey and all wanted the house to have…
French Schools Tackle Truancy
Children skip school in France as in every other country. French schools have a system to deal with the problem – and it involves parents as well
Transferring into the French School System
It can be a daunting step when moving one’s child from their ‘mother tongue’ educational system into an entirely new one. The good news for those moving to France is that the French state education system is highly regarded both in France and at an international level…
The French Educational System
In France, education is the responsibility of the state and is provided through a series of state (i.e., public) schools, although private schools are also available. Education is mandatory up to the age of 16 and is free until the age of 18. The Ministère de l’Education Nationale (Ministry of Education) manages all aspects of education …
Education in France: French school grade equivalents
Trying to determine which school grade your child should attend in their new school system is often one of the most challenging aspects of moving into a foreign school system. France, the UK and the US all have their own school grade structures …
Managing dyslexia in France
Dyslexia can be isolating, especially when you are also trying to learn a new language. Did you know there’s an English language website offering help and information on how to help a child with dyslexia in France?
French school dinners
With all the fuss over school dinners in the UK, and headlines such as “Not fit for a dog” in the national papers, we asked Graham Downie how school meals compared …
Preparing Your Child for La Rentrée
Once you’ve enrolled your child at school, you will be presented with a list of equipment they will need for the start of term – here is our useful vocabulary guide to help you organise for the return (la rentrée) to school.
Children with learning difficulties in Limousin
An article highlighting the potential problems of integrating children with special education needs into the French school system and the totally different atmosphere encountered in the classroom.
Insider tips on educating your child in France
Much of the information available about French education prepares you for the procedures and helps you understand the system. However, there are some aspects about moving your child to France that aren’t mentioned in books or TV programmes…
Educational Cycles
Reforms introduced in 1989/90 divided nursery and primary schooling into cycles (cycles pedagogique). There are three cycles, each of three years duration, designed to provide the ability for pupils to …
French language learning issues
How to plan and cope as your child learns French is a primary concern of any parent introducing a non-French speaking child into the French education system.