Schools

Ban on abaya dress in French schools divides opinion

Religious experts share arguments for or against the long robes recently banned in secular state schools

Irish teacher cannot teach in French schools as failed English test

Despite having over almost 20 years of teaching experience the man cannot work in state schools except as a temporary replacement teacher

How would planned power cuts affect schools in France?

Schools are not on the priority list of services which would maintain power

Seven changes and updates for residents in France in December 2021

From expiring health passes for the over 65s to Christmas bonus cheques, a freeze on rising energy costs, and dates for your 2022 diary, we explore what is new this month

France fifth Covid wave: What changes today for workplaces and schools

New rules designed to limit the spread of Covid are now in force, including physical distancing and test changes

Masks obligatory again in schools: What is Covid situation in France?

The reproduction level of the virus is 1.2, which means the number of new cases is doubling every 15-20 days but hospitalisations are not rising so quickly

French education: Alternative schools still lag in France

France is one of the worst countries in Europe for offering alternative forms of education, an expert claims, although that is changing slightly as demand from parents grows

More French primary schools to end mask rule (but it is back for some)

The change will bring the number of departments where masks are not needed for pupils up to 79 with mask requirement returning for schools in Lozère in the south

Changes for schools but not health pass in lower Covid areas in France

The government has announced changes for concerts and nightclubs in these areas and the end of obligatory masks in primary schools

New Pass’Sport grant in France helps children get fit for free

Around 3.3million families are eligible for the one-off €50 payment, to be put towards signing up for a sports club before October 31

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

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

Back to school financial grant is on the way to 3 million French homes

The amount depends on household income, number of children at school, and their age; and is intended to help with the rising cost of ‘la rentrée’

Vaccinated pupils in France to stay in school if class has Covid case

Unvaccinated students will have to study from home in the same scenario under new health rules to be introduced in schools from September

France drops facemask requirement for children in school playgrounds

Education Minister cautiously hopeful that masks may not be required inside schools at all from the start of the new school year in September

Dordogne school's canteen food is first in France to win organic award

Ingredients are sourced from producers within a 20km radius of the premises

Interview: Death of French schoolgirl Alisha shows bullying kills

Efforts to crack down on bullying in schools in France have intensified after a teenager was attacked and drowned in the Seine. MP Erwan Balanant discusses his bid to end the problem

Classes to close if one pupil has Covid in worst-hit areas of France

Some 21,000 children were off school having contracted the virus on Friday and cases are rising

French schools' meat-free menu for Covid rules 'insulting'

The meals have been introduced to help school staff in Lyon respect health measures local authorities say, but ministers and farmers are unhappy

Criticism as France eases school Covid rules

The rules were reinforced at the beginning of February, but have been relaxed just a fortnight later, with thousands of children on holiday

Covid-19: France tightens rules on facemasks in schools

Homemade facemasks are now banned

French education workers and students to strike today

Protests will take place in major French cities over salaries for teachers and the government's handling of the health pandemic in schools

Covid France: Extended curfew expected but schools stay open

The government met earlier today to discuss measures to slow the spread of the UK variant. Any new rules are expected to be announced by the prime minister tomorrow

French parents’ appeal for no masks in school rejected

French courts say asking young children to wear masks in school does not violate their human rights, and will help stop the spread of new UK Covid variant

France tackles flagging maths and sport education in schools

Edouard Geffray, director of the government department responsible for developing education policies, explains how increasing sport and improving maths are priorities in schools

One million rapid Covid tests to be given to French schools

The tests are to be distributed next week, as school staff continue strikes over Covid-19 health protocols today

France lockdown: Are adult schools still open?

We attend a small French language school for adults. Are classes starting as normal, and what forms do we need to go if so?

12 million French students remember teacher Samuel Paty

As students return to school today, a one-minute silence was held for the teacher murdered for showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in class

President Macron vows: ‘We will continue’ for Samuel Paty

The President gave an emotional speech during a national ceremony for the murdered teacher last night, which we have translated for readers here.

French President: ‘Immediate action’ on Islamic terrorism

The President spoke at the defence council on Sunday night, two days after a deadly attack on a school teacher in France

Parents in France vow to fight planned home-schooling ban

An estimated 50,000 children in France are currently home-schooled

Covid-19 update: Majority of France now ‘red’ zones

More than half of departments in France are now considered to be “red” zones where Covid-19 is “actively” spreading, the latest figures show (but schools are still relaxing their health protocol rules).

France Covid-19 update: Macron urges people to 'hold on'

Latest figures (from Wednesday September 16) show almost 10,000 new daily cases but a stable positivity rate, as the President encourages people to "hold on" for "better days".

300,000 clear masks to be distributed in French schools

The masks have a clear-plastic window covering the mouth, so facial expressions are still visible. Designed to be “inclusive”, the masks will not be available to everyone.

A quarter of people in France against Covid vaccine

A poll shows 25% of people in France don’t plan on getting vaccinated against Covid-19, as daily cases continue to reach over 7,000 and 22 schools close over health fears.

French schools re-start in September with Covid-19 rules

All children are expected to be back at school for the start of the new academic year, on Tuesday September 1, unless the spread of the virus worsens and warrants new protective measures.

Brexit: will Erasmus study scheme for Britons continue?

Every other day, we share a reader question from our Brexit and Britons in France Help Guide. Get your copy of the guide via the link at the end of this article.

Record number of French students pass final exams

This year, around 91.5% of 740,000 students in France have passed their final year school exams, known as l e bac (short for baccalauréat ), without having to do resits.

French Covid study: Kids less contagious than adults

Children are less likely to be contaminated or to contaminate others with Covid-19, a French study of 605 children under the age of 15 has shown.

Making sense of Childcare options in France

There are several options for childcare in France and financial help is on hand.

Deconfinement in France: What is reopening when?

The French government has announced more details on the planned schedule for deconfinement, which is set to start on May 11 and continue to September - including when parks, beaches and cafés will reopen.

French government announce return to school plans

The French government has released details of how it plans to reopen the country’s schools when confinement ends on May 11.

Lessons at home as Covid-19 closes French schools

France unlikely ‘to escape’ coronavirus epidemic stage

France may find it “difficult to escape” the epidemic stage of coronavirus Covid-19, which would see it freely circulating across the country, the government's spokesperson has warned.

Covid-19: France in ‘new epidemic stage’ says minister

France is in “a new stage of the epidemic” of coronavirus Covid-19, the health minister has said, as a total of 100 cases have been confirmed since the end of January.

France doubles free school breakfasts and €1 meals

Free school breakfasts and canteen lunches costing just €1 are to be rolled out to 200,000 pupils across France this year, almost double the number who received them last year, the government has said.