School

What are parent-pupil ‘reps’ in France, and how can you be one?

Parent-pupil representatives help to defend pupils’ interests and keep parents informed

Teachers picket elite Paris school due to tuition fee U-turn

The prestigious €39,000-a-year American School of Paris withdrew free schooling for the families of staff

Singer Goldman composes new song for a school play in France

French pop legend responds to teacher's request for a song for play about importance of Republican values in World War Two in Vénissieux (Rhône)

news

€2 Olympics coin given to Paris children being sold online for €600

The Monnaie de Paris Mint said it was ‘astonished’ at the resale prices

New list allows you to search French lycées by 2023 exam results

The new official ranking also shows which schools exceeded expectations

Can I volunteer at a French primary school?

Volunteer programs are often aimed at a specific audience

Explainer: French schools’ international and foreign language sections

12 key points about curriculum, entry requirements and fees for subjects taught in a foreign language

French pupils no longer need passport for school trip to UK

The agreement is set to come into force from December 23, and has been welcomed by a ferry operator

Couple in court for homeschooling son without permission in France

‘We are not separatists, we are not dangerous,’ say the couple, who have been supported by homeschooling associations

France to launch large-scale trial of school uniforms

Experiment will be carried out to see what changes this may bring without any cost to parents, says minister

Change to France’s school holiday zone system under review

The long-used ‘three-zone’ system could change soon, but critics question the possible economic impact

Check: When do school holidays fall in my part of France next year?

Use our chart to avoid the holiday rush if you do not have children in school here

How do bilingual classes differ from others at French school?

We look at both language-learning classes, as well as special schools which teach all their curriculum in multiple languages

Winter tyres, Crit'Air stickers, book charge: ten updates in France

We cover some key announcements you may have missed over the last month

Good news on the way for France-UK school trips?

British Ambassador says talks are underway on easier movement for students and volunteers

Ukrainian student passes baccalauréat after just one year of French

His achievement got him a meeting with the then education minister

Why new legislation is making it harder to homeschool in France

What to expect under the école à la maison rules

Pupil, 16, stabs teacher to death in classroom in south-west France

Teenager arrested after attack in private school

MAP: French school holidays 2023-24 by region

Holiday dates are split into three zones. We look at the dates to be aware of

Energy costs: French mayor buys pupils fleeces as heating drops to 19C

A school in Normandy has taken an unusual approach to combat rising energy prices as the government advises everyone to lower their heating to 19C

French schools are back today: what changes for the year ahead?

Pupils return in the context of teacher shortages and President Macron urges all who are victims of bullying to speak out

Christmas, Easter: See the dates for France’s school holidays 2022-23

We look at how France’s school holiday zone system works, and when the year’s breaks will be starting and ending

French school pupils’ obsession with Bic pens is disrupting classes

The collection craze of the iconic ‘four colour’ pen limited editions leads to theft and trading, say teachers

‘Job-dating’ to fix school shortage angers teachers in France

Anyone with three years of higher education were able to put themselves forward for a position. The teaching union has called the events “unacceptable and scandalous”

French schools: mandatory sport at primary and more maths until 18

President Macron’s election pledges for education come into force in the new academic year

VIDEO: French headteacher’s emotion at surprise retirement show

‘I don’t think many teachers get a retirement send-off like this’: Singer Julien Clerc surprised the long-time educator with a song dedicated to school teachers

I deserve a gold star for choosing to raise my five kids in France

With Mother’s Day in France on Sunday (May 29) – Gillian Harvey reflects on her decision to bring up her family in France

Tale of two systems: family share French and UK education experience

Siblings Eloïse and Nicolas Fabre studied both in France and the UK, they tell The Connexion in their view the French system lacked empathy and flexibility

Education: do French schools deserve their harsh reputation?

In a system where only God gets top marks we ask an expert if French education really is restrictive or just rigorous

Can teachers require their pupils to wear a mask in France?

Mask-wearing ceased to be obligatory in most indoor spaces on March 14

Income tax declarations: parents urged to claim their discount

Parents of children in collège, lycée or higher education are entitled to a tax reduction but must take action to claim it

How does private education and home-schooling work in France?

Both systems are regulated but a stricter law for home-schooling, due in September 2022, has angered some parents

Why are private school fees in France usually cheaper than the UK?

The amount paid in French private school fees depends on whether they are ' sous contrat’ (under contract) with the government

How can I enrol for adult evening classes in France?

Most French universities and Centres d’Etudes de Langues offer language evening classes. The Cnam is the go-to source to learn new skills in trades and crafts

Covid rules to ease in French schools after February holidays

Pupils returning from the break will see restrictions regarding mask-wearing, testing and social mixing relaxed

French school Covid rules to be reviewed, decision expected this week

The government is hoping to make changes in three areas, including testing protocol and mask-wearing rules

Police warn of potential teenager abduction attempts in Haute-Savoie

Pupils from schools in the area have been approached by an individual and asked to get into his vehicle

Pupils in France will need several negative tests to return to school

The number of negative Covid tests needed and the time between tests is still yet to be decided, even as schools are set to re-open as normal on January 3

La rentrée: will the French state provide masks for my kids?

My two kids, aged 13 and 15, are set to go back to school on September 1 and I have been told they will need to wear masks. Will these be provided or do I have to pay?

What are the risks for families in France taking term-time holidays?

There can be consequences for taking children out of school if you want to set off early on holiday to avoid the rush and peak season

A guide to how to find extra help with schoolwork in France

From primary school up to Lycée level and through lessons in school holidays to schoolwork associations, there are many avenues of help on offer

Put up no-smoking signs outside French schools, says anti-cancer group

‘Denormalising’ smoking among young people is an effective way to stop them becoming smokers later in life, says La Ligue contre le cancer as it launches its ‘no smoking month’

Dates of 2022 French baccalauréat school exams announced

Pupils sit their exams in their final year of lycée secondary school (terminale), before continuing onto further education or work options

Dates (and times) of 2022 brevet school exams in France announced

The exams are taken by pupils at the end of Troisième, and test their knowledge and skills in key subject areas

Tests, masks, vaccines: Covid updates for France this week

Rules change this week for self-tests and mask-wearing in schools in some departments - and a French study shows level of vaccination success

French immersion language school in limbo over Covid travel rules

The school specialises in language trips for UK schools and still does not know if it can reopen

Mask rules dropped for primary pupils in further 21 French departments

Various measures are relaxed in areas where the Covid infection rate has stabilised below 50 per 100,000 people

France national strike today: Which services are affected?

200 street protests are planned over spending power and other issues with disruption expected on transport, in schools and the postal service

Cordon bleu to be removed from school menus in Lyon as too processed

Local authorities say it will not be served in canteens from the next school year - but the move has been attacked by opponents as part a bid to ban meat

French health pass requirements extends to 12 to 17-year-olds today

The rule will apply to children over the age of 12 years and two months, who may need to show their pass in order to take part in school trips and sporting activities outside of school

#Anti2010: France bullying campaign targets pupils born in 2010

Parents of children in French schools are becoming aware of taunting that is making the transition to secondary school even harder for some this year. We explain what to do if you notice it

What happens if there is a Covid outbreak at my child's French school?

Approximately 3,000 classes have been closed due to positive cases of the virus since the start of the school year

French turn to streaming for 'better' English lessons than school

A survey finds that 72% of people in France believe their English lessons at school did not help them speak the language better; and that Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube are more effective

Crime, schools, transport: Macron's €1.5bn Marseille recovery plan

The president announced a range of projects to revamp the city and tackle social issues. He also spoke of expanding the airport, improving the Marseille - Nice train link and environmental work

Covid France: What impact will the return to school have on cases?

We look at the numbers to see what the Covid-19 situation is like for young people as they go back to school today, with one leading epidemiologist saying the return will be the most complicated situation that awaits us in the autumn

Changes for the new school year in France

Greater emphasis on improving maths standards, more sport education and improving computer skills are among priorities - as well as catching up from Covid disruptions

A guide to starting at school in France

What is involved in starting at a new school in France, from the signing up process to insurance and school grants

Free schools tests, boosters and vaccine targets: Covid France updates

The government has confirmed that coronavirus tests will be free in schools. It has also said that care home residents will be offered a booster jab from September 13

Teacher in France: 'Great to get back to school despite Covid rules'

An English teacher at a French secondary school says she feels prepared for la rentrée next week and the new system of Covid-related rules that will come into effect

Back to school: Guide to Covid rules for parents and pupils in France

We explain the Covid-19 protocol in place for schools this coming academic year, including when classes will close if a pupil tests positive, when masks must be worn and when social distancing rules will be in effect

Covid rules for return to school in France 'unclear' say unions

Teaching unions say new rules are not safe enough as 12 million pupils prepare to return to class on September 2

No plans to vaccinate under-12s, says French minister

The government is focusing on vaccinating as many teenagers as possible – though there will be no obligation for a health pass at school

‘Starting my British kids at a French school was hard but worth it’

Veryan Young tells The Connexion about the challenges and advantages of raising kids bilingually in France

EU authorises first Covid vaccine for children aged 12 - 15

The Bloc’s medical authority has extended the permitted use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine to include this age category

Covid-19 saliva tests to be piloted in French schools

The aim is to carry out 200,000 to 300,000 a week in schools around the country by the end of the winter holidays

France sets stricter Covid protocol for schools

New rules include classes closing if just one case of the UK variant is confirmed, more robust category 1 masks, and enforced physical distancing, as France fights to keep schools open

Covid France: Schools to do one million tests per month

The health minister did not rule out closing schools if necessary in future, but is now rolling out a series of new measures to combat the new UK virus variant