Anglais
EDUCATION IN FRANCE
Document for newly arrived
Families and Students
THIS DOCUMENT ANSWERS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS :
How can I register my child in a primary school, in a middle or a high school?
My child does not yet speak French. Does the education system provide some help ?
How is the education system in France organized ?
Who are the main staff members in a primary school, in a middle or a high school ?
Which group in my neighbourhood can help my child out of school ?
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How can I register my child in a primary school, a middle school or a high school ?
Nursery School Primary School College and Secondary School
From age 3 at the time
From age 6 (C.P) in the If your child is old enough and has the required
of registration (before 31
year of registration certificates to enter a Secondary School, he or
December)
Conditions (before 31 December) she should meet an orientation advisor who will
From age 2 in special
Note that registration is evaluate his or her aptitudes and educational
educational areas (ZEP,
often limited. level with a series of tests.
ZUS)
Contact the Inspection Académique who will
give you an appointment with an orientation
To register your child, contact your town hall.
Registration advisor from the nearest centre known as C.I.O.
A registration certificate will be issued.
procedures Depending on vacant places and the place
Will have to give it to the School Headmaster.
where you live, your child will be directed to a
school and class for his or her level.
The child’s birth certificate and the identity card of the parent or legal tutor accompanying the child
Required His or her previous school record when available
documents A proof of residence
A medical certificate and an updated vaccination certificate
How is the education system in France organized ?
Foreword :
In France, school is mandatory from age 6 to 16
But a child can attend as of 3, and studies can of course be continued after 16.
Education in France is public, secular and free of charge
Private schools exist, where school fees are charged
Co-education prevails. Both boys and girls attend the same classes.
2
Description of the academic cursus
READ FROM BOTTOM TO TOP
Higher Education Graduate and post graduate education can take 2 to 8 years,
UNIVERSITIES
depending on the chosen degree program.
or
OTHER GRADUATE
To apply, you need to have an Advance Level Certificate (A/Levels)
AND POST GRADUATE
or a high school certificate accepted in France.
SCHOOLS
Terminale for Professional
general and High School
technological Certificate
GENERAL,
Advance/Level known as High School studies can take
TECHNOLOGICAL AND
Secondary Certificate known Bac Pro 2, 3 or even 4 years
PROFESSIONAL HIGH
Education as « Bac général » (in 2 years) depending on the chosen
SCHOOL
2° ère BEP ou options
Year 11 1
CAP
Year 10 2nde 2nde pro
Year 9 3e Age 14 – 15 These 4 year
studies end up
Year 8 4e Age 13 – 14 with a Secondary
MIDDLE SCHOOL Year 7 5e Age 12 – 13 School
Certificate called
Year 6 6e Age 11 - 12 “Brevet des
collèges”
Year 5 C.M.2 Age 10 - 11
Year 4 C.M.1 Cycle 3 Age 9 -10 No final year
Primary School
PRIMARY SCHOOL Year 3 C.E.2 Age 8 - 9 exmination in
1°
Year 2 C.E.1 Age 7 - 8 Primary School
Year 1 C. P. Cycle 2 Age 6 - 7
Grande section Age 5 - 6
Moyenne
Age 4 - 5
NURSERY SCHOOL section Cycle 1
Age 3 - 4
Petite section Age 2 - 3
My child does not yet speak French.
What can the education system do to help ?
Students who do not yet speak French or do not master French orally and in writing are taken
care of in a specific manner in almost every school.
While they attend current classes for their age and level, students can attend special
classes a few hours a week. Theses classes are known as:
- CLIN (Initiation Classes ) or CRI (Catch-Up Classes) in Primary Schools.
- CLA (Welcome Classes) or FLE Device (French as a Foreign Language) in Middle and High
Schools.
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These extra hours are meant to help foreign children who do not yet master French
language to catch up with their French classmates and therefore integrate faster in the
education system.
We learn especially French but we work also some learning basic necessary to
succeed in whole school discipline. A special organization and well-adapted activities to
favour the pupils’ new-comers integration.
If you live in a rural area, specific individual help is organized for your child by teachers with
the help of the CASNAV.
Important school personalities you should know ?
The Social Worker The Orientation Advisor The Nurse
(C.O.P)
In Middle and High Schools, the In Primary School
In Primary School Orientation Advisor (C.O.P) At your request, the Nurse or a
There is not National Education informs students about their school doctor can be called by your
Social Worker in Primary Schools. educational and career child’s class teacher and meet you in
Should a problem occur, contact the possibilities. school premises.
social service in your locality. It is important for your child to When it is possible, the school Nurse
meet the advisor to have an or doctor will consult your chills for a
overall view of his or her general health check-up.
capacities and motivations to
In a Middle or High School anticipate better orientation.
In a Middle or High School
In Middle Schools, the Nurse is
The Social Worker is here to listen to The Principal Advisor of present a few days a week. She is
students and their families. Education (C.P.E) present every day in High Schools.
Whatever the problem might be
The Nurse gives first aid care to
(financial or other family difficulties), He is responsible (C.P.E) for the students.
do not hesitate to make an daily school life in Middle and The Nurse is also here to listen and
appointment. High Schools. He takes care of respond to health questions from
Social Workers are bind by late comings and absences. He students and gives preventive,
professional secret. Whatever you is an important interlocutor for nutritive, hygiene and other health
say will be confidential. you and your child. advice to students.
The Head Teacher in Middle and High Schools
He coordinates the team of teachers. Most preferred interlocutor of students to resolve conflicts, he is also the person
most parents meet when needed. Never hesitate to take an appointment with him to know about your child’s difficulties
and progress in school.
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Welcoming in schools :
Do not hesitate to meet with teachers, headmasters, but also school directors,
principals, nurses and school doctors, social workers, orientation and education
advisors.
.
Which association in my neighbourhood can help my child out of school ?
More and more associations in many neighbourhood work in coordination with
schools and the C.A.S.N.A.V. to offer children after school classes or activities to improve
their skills in French and facilitate their integration in French society (“accompagnement à la
scolarité”).
Contact the teachers, the headmasters or the principal of college: they inform you the
different steps to follow in order to inscribe your child(ren) in these structures.
For more information regarding education in France
A ocal association or teachers can put you in contact with the Inspection Académique office
or the C.A.S.N.A.V. and the National Education Service to facilitate the integration in schools
of new immigrants.
