Expat guide to France: schools
Background:
The BSP is one of the world’s older international schools, having been founded in 1954 to cater for a British clientele.
Now, this 840-pupil institution in a wealthy area of west Paris is much more international, with 51 nationalities — mainly European —on its roll. Some 35 per cent of pupils are British.
The school says it emphasises the rounded qualities of a traditional British education, including sport, the arts and the pastoral system. Results are very good, despite the school being non-selective. Its pastoral structure sees each year’s cohort divided into tutor groups, and tutors track children’s progress closely.
BSP is situated on two campuses on the banks of the river Seine, in an area well known for its links with the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Pissarro all painted nearby. The primary school is located in a modern building on a three-acre site, while facilities at the secondary school include a small theatre, an indoor sports hall, and a rock climbing wall.
BSP differs from some international schools in catering for children with special needs (SEN): each section of the school has an SEN department with qualified staff.
Curriculum:
The school follows the English national curriculum throughout, with children progressing from the Early Years Foundation Stage — which operates in English primary schools — through key stages 1 and 2. At the end of the primary phase, pupils go on an activity week in the Ardeche, in the south of France, which offers outdoor activities and the chance to complete a geographical study of the area.
In the secondary section, key stage 3, featuring a broad range of academic subjects for 11 to 14-year-olds, is followed by GCSEs and A-levels.
Results:
Appear to be outstanding, and in line with leading selective independent schools in the UK, the school says. In 2010, 60 per cent of GCSE entries were at A* or A, compared to a UK average of 22 per cent. At A-level, 55 per cent of BSP grades were at A*-A (UK figure: 27 per cent).
Admission:
The school is non-selective, so there are no entry tests. Parents visit the school, and must complete an application form, and provide previous school reports.
Fees:
Range from €12,000 (£10028) annually for the nursery class to €23,080 (£19,286) for the sixth form. Parents must also pay a €1,000 (£836) (€500 in the nursery) registration fee, and there is a one-off, non-refundable charge of €6,000 (£5014) for the school’s development fund. Compulsory school trips are charged at around 1,000 euros.
What the parents say:
“This is our seventh year at the school, so we are very happy. I’m lucky, because all four of my children are academically quite strong, and the school offers them the challenge that they need. The school also balances this academic focus with after-school activities: all of my children are, for example, learning at least one musical instrument.” Sofie Ameloot, who has children at the school aged nine to 17
Visit the school's website here
MOUGINS SCHOOL
“Happy” school in beautiful wooded surroundings on the Côte d’Azur
Background:
Mougins is another day-school teaching the English national curriculum to an international clientele.
Founded in 1964, it has been at its current home, in wooded, hilly countryside to the north of Cannes and to the west of Nice, since 1987.
It is close to the high-tech science park of Sofia Antipolis, which was designed to become a European version of Silicon Valley, and whose companies once employed the majority of Mougins parents. However, only four per cent of its pupils now have their fees paid by these companies.
Some 32 per cent of its 450 pupils are British, while a further 20 per cent are French, with 36 nationalities represented. Some British parents work in the UK during the week and live here at the weekends; the school is only 25 minutes from Nice airport.
The school’s wood-clad buildings include a library, a large gym, art studios and science labs. In response to demand a new Primary School building will be inaugurated in September 2012. This will house 12 classrooms and permit the enrolment of about fifty more students. In September 2013 a new Science building will be opened with four Science laboratories and two classrooms, one of which will be adapted as a second IT suite.
Curriculum:
Children follow the English national curriculum until they are 14, with adaptations, such as studying local aspects of geography. Pupils generally take at least eight subjects at International GCSE, followed by A-levels.
Results:
In 2010, 45 per cent of the school’s IGCSE entries were at A*-A, while at A-level, the corresponding A*/A figure was almost the same, at 44 per cent.
Admission:
Non-selective. The school asks for children’s school reports, but there are no entrance tests. The school has a special needs teacher. Teaching is in English at secondary level.
Fees:
Vary from €5,400 (£4512) a year for the early years class for three-year-olds to €14,800 (£12367) annually for years 10 to 13. There is also an application fee of €800 (£669) for the first child, reducing to €600 (£501) for the second child, €400 (£334) for the third and nothing for any further children.
What the school says:
“We are like a large family. We do not just develop the academic side of things, which is important, but we develop the pupils culturally, socially and in terms of sport, so we create a happy child within that family.” Brian Hickmore, headmaster
What the parents say:
“It’s not a very pushily academic school, and they take in pupils from all walks of life, but the results are very good. It has a very good drama and music department, and languages are quite strong. The site is beautiful. As a school, I’d say it’s a good all-rounder.” Carol Mueller, who has boys aged 17 and 14 at Mougins.
Visit the school's website here
BORDEAUX INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
An unusual school catering for parents wanting tuition in both English and French
Background:
This is a very small school of only 130 pupils, offering a highly distinctive programme of truly bilingual education.
In the primary section, half of each day is taught in English, and half in French, with maths taught in both languages; English and science taught in English; history and geography in French, and so on. Even a third language features in a small way, as music is taught in Spanish. In the secondary school, the teaching is in English (see below).
The school says it is the smallest to have won accreditation from the Council of International Schools, and the only bilingual private school to be recognised by the French state. Class sizes run to a maximum of 12-14 children, with youngsters sometimes taught ahead of their age group if they are making good progress.
Founded in 1988, BIS is situated near the centre of Bordeaux, its buildings grouped around an enclosed courtyard. Around half of the pupils are French, while 30 per cent are British. The school offers boarding - with a local French host family - as well as day provision.
Curriculum:
In the Early Learning & Primary sections (ages 2½ to nine) English-speaking pupils follow an adapted version of the English national curriculum, while French children follow the French national programme, with all pupils spending an equal amount of time in both languages.
In Early Secondary/Middle School section (ages ten to13), bilingual instruction continues under a programme which blends the English and French curricula, again with 50% of the time in both languages.
For the IGCSE section, pupils are taught in English as they prepare for International GCSEs, which are offered in 14 subjects.
For those students wishing to take A-levels, the standard sixth form college entry qualifications apply. This means a minimum of five C grades at IGCSE, GCSE or equivalent with a minimum of B grades in their chosen A-level subjects.
The subjects offered at A Level at Bordeaux International School consist of a 'core' of subjects which are always offered, plus additional subjects which can be available if there is a demand.
The core of subjects is English, Mathematics, French, Spanish, Business Studies and Physics. All Advanced level students must choose a minimum of 3 from this list. Supplementary subjects include History, Biology and Art, but since these may be taught almost on an individual basis, this will be at extra cost (see fees list).
The Advanced level programme of study also involves other elements including courses on 'Thinking Skills' and 'Global and Social Education', as well as participation in the 'Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.'
When students have a sufficient level of competence in French they also have the option of a 'placement', either for one day a week for a period of time or for a full-time block depending on the type of work involved.
All students are encouraged to take part in activities involving them with other aspects of the school and with the local community in Bordeaux.
Results:
Some 36 per cent of pupils gained A* or A at GCSE in 2010. At A-level, 40 per cent achieved an A or A* grade last year.
Admission:
The school is non-selective, although it does look at previous school reports, and says it will not accept children for International GCSE courses who have a history of poor behaviour. Pupils will need a minimum of a GCSE grade B in a subject to study it at A-level.
Fees:
Day charges range from €3,130 (£2594) a year for early learning (morning) classes to €15,880 (£13166) annually for A-level courses. Registration fees run from €500 (£418) for the first child to nothing for the fourth. Full-time boarders are charged €8,400 (£6959) extra.
What the school says:
“We are a strong community. Parents are attracted here not so much because of the English curriculum — we offer the core of both the English and French systems - but because of the attraction of learning a second language.” Christine Cussac, school director
What the parents say:
“It’s exactly what my daughter needed, because it has given her very good French, which she did not have when joining the school. They get the children to a top level in both French and English. She will now take the 11-plus for schools in England.” Charlotte Stewardson, who is French and married to an Englishman, and whose daughter, Margaux, nine, joined the school two years ago.
Visit the school's website here
This article was originally published in the Telegraph Weekly World Edition
Return to the Expat country profiles index.
The BSP is one of the world’s older international schools, having been founded in 1954 to cater for a British clientele.
Now, this 840-pupil institution in a wealthy area of west Paris is much more international, with 51 nationalities — mainly European —on its roll. Some 35 per cent of pupils are British.
The school says it emphasises the rounded qualities of a traditional British education, including sport, the arts and the pastoral system. Results are very good, despite the school being non-selective. Its pastoral structure sees each year’s cohort divided into tutor groups, and tutors track children’s progress closely.
BSP is situated on two campuses on the banks of the river Seine, in an area well known for its links with the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Pissarro all painted nearby. The primary school is located in a modern building on a three-acre site, while facilities at the secondary school include a small theatre, an indoor sports hall, and a rock climbing wall.
BSP differs from some international schools in catering for children with special needs (SEN): each section of the school has an SEN department with qualified staff.
Curriculum:
The school follows the English national curriculum throughout, with children progressing from the Early Years Foundation Stage — which operates in English primary schools — through key stages 1 and 2. At the end of the primary phase, pupils go on an activity week in the Ardeche, in the south of France, which offers outdoor activities and the chance to complete a geographical study of the area.
In the secondary section, key stage 3, featuring a broad range of academic subjects for 11 to 14-year-olds, is followed by GCSEs and A-levels.
Results:
Appear to be outstanding, and in line with leading selective independent schools in the UK, the school says. In 2010, 60 per cent of GCSE entries were at A* or A, compared to a UK average of 22 per cent. At A-level, 55 per cent of BSP grades were at A*-A (UK figure: 27 per cent).
Admission:
The school is non-selective, so there are no entry tests. Parents visit the school, and must complete an application form, and provide previous school reports.
Fees:
Range from €12,000 (£10028) annually for the nursery class to €23,080 (£19,286) for the sixth form. Parents must also pay a €1,000 (£836) (€500 in the nursery) registration fee, and there is a one-off, non-refundable charge of €6,000 (£5014) for the school’s development fund. Compulsory school trips are charged at around 1,000 euros.
What the parents say:
“This is our seventh year at the school, so we are very happy. I’m lucky, because all four of my children are academically quite strong, and the school offers them the challenge that they need. The school also balances this academic focus with after-school activities: all of my children are, for example, learning at least one musical instrument.” Sofie Ameloot, who has children at the school aged nine to 17
Visit the school's website here
MOUGINS SCHOOL
“Happy” school in beautiful wooded surroundings on the Côte d’Azur
Background:
Mougins is another day-school teaching the English national curriculum to an international clientele.
Founded in 1964, it has been at its current home, in wooded, hilly countryside to the north of Cannes and to the west of Nice, since 1987.
It is close to the high-tech science park of Sofia Antipolis, which was designed to become a European version of Silicon Valley, and whose companies once employed the majority of Mougins parents. However, only four per cent of its pupils now have their fees paid by these companies.
Some 32 per cent of its 450 pupils are British, while a further 20 per cent are French, with 36 nationalities represented. Some British parents work in the UK during the week and live here at the weekends; the school is only 25 minutes from Nice airport.
The school’s wood-clad buildings include a library, a large gym, art studios and science labs. In response to demand a new Primary School building will be inaugurated in September 2012. This will house 12 classrooms and permit the enrolment of about fifty more students. In September 2013 a new Science building will be opened with four Science laboratories and two classrooms, one of which will be adapted as a second IT suite.
Curriculum:
Children follow the English national curriculum until they are 14, with adaptations, such as studying local aspects of geography. Pupils generally take at least eight subjects at International GCSE, followed by A-levels.
Results:
In 2010, 45 per cent of the school’s IGCSE entries were at A*-A, while at A-level, the corresponding A*/A figure was almost the same, at 44 per cent.
Admission:
Non-selective. The school asks for children’s school reports, but there are no entrance tests. The school has a special needs teacher. Teaching is in English at secondary level.
Fees:
Vary from €5,400 (£4512) a year for the early years class for three-year-olds to €14,800 (£12367) annually for years 10 to 13. There is also an application fee of €800 (£669) for the first child, reducing to €600 (£501) for the second child, €400 (£334) for the third and nothing for any further children.
What the school says:
“We are like a large family. We do not just develop the academic side of things, which is important, but we develop the pupils culturally, socially and in terms of sport, so we create a happy child within that family.” Brian Hickmore, headmaster
What the parents say:
“It’s not a very pushily academic school, and they take in pupils from all walks of life, but the results are very good. It has a very good drama and music department, and languages are quite strong. The site is beautiful. As a school, I’d say it’s a good all-rounder.” Carol Mueller, who has boys aged 17 and 14 at Mougins.
Visit the school's website here
BORDEAUX INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
An unusual school catering for parents wanting tuition in both English and French
Background:
This is a very small school of only 130 pupils, offering a highly distinctive programme of truly bilingual education.
In the primary section, half of each day is taught in English, and half in French, with maths taught in both languages; English and science taught in English; history and geography in French, and so on. Even a third language features in a small way, as music is taught in Spanish. In the secondary school, the teaching is in English (see below).
The school says it is the smallest to have won accreditation from the Council of International Schools, and the only bilingual private school to be recognised by the French state. Class sizes run to a maximum of 12-14 children, with youngsters sometimes taught ahead of their age group if they are making good progress.
Founded in 1988, BIS is situated near the centre of Bordeaux, its buildings grouped around an enclosed courtyard. Around half of the pupils are French, while 30 per cent are British. The school offers boarding - with a local French host family - as well as day provision.
Curriculum:
In the Early Learning & Primary sections (ages 2½ to nine) English-speaking pupils follow an adapted version of the English national curriculum, while French children follow the French national programme, with all pupils spending an equal amount of time in both languages.
In Early Secondary/Middle School section (ages ten to13), bilingual instruction continues under a programme which blends the English and French curricula, again with 50% of the time in both languages.
For the IGCSE section, pupils are taught in English as they prepare for International GCSEs, which are offered in 14 subjects.
For those students wishing to take A-levels, the standard sixth form college entry qualifications apply. This means a minimum of five C grades at IGCSE, GCSE or equivalent with a minimum of B grades in their chosen A-level subjects.
The subjects offered at A Level at Bordeaux International School consist of a 'core' of subjects which are always offered, plus additional subjects which can be available if there is a demand.
The core of subjects is English, Mathematics, French, Spanish, Business Studies and Physics. All Advanced level students must choose a minimum of 3 from this list. Supplementary subjects include History, Biology and Art, but since these may be taught almost on an individual basis, this will be at extra cost (see fees list).
The Advanced level programme of study also involves other elements including courses on 'Thinking Skills' and 'Global and Social Education', as well as participation in the 'Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.'
When students have a sufficient level of competence in French they also have the option of a 'placement', either for one day a week for a period of time or for a full-time block depending on the type of work involved.
All students are encouraged to take part in activities involving them with other aspects of the school and with the local community in Bordeaux.
Results:
Some 36 per cent of pupils gained A* or A at GCSE in 2010. At A-level, 40 per cent achieved an A or A* grade last year.
Admission:
The school is non-selective, although it does look at previous school reports, and says it will not accept children for International GCSE courses who have a history of poor behaviour. Pupils will need a minimum of a GCSE grade B in a subject to study it at A-level.
Fees:
Day charges range from €3,130 (£2594) a year for early learning (morning) classes to €15,880 (£13166) annually for A-level courses. Registration fees run from €500 (£418) for the first child to nothing for the fourth. Full-time boarders are charged €8,400 (£6959) extra.
What the school says:
“We are a strong community. Parents are attracted here not so much because of the English curriculum — we offer the core of both the English and French systems - but because of the attraction of learning a second language.” Christine Cussac, school director
What the parents say:
“It’s exactly what my daughter needed, because it has given her very good French, which she did not have when joining the school. They get the children to a top level in both French and English. She will now take the 11-plus for schools in England.” Charlotte Stewardson, who is French and married to an Englishman, and whose daughter, Margaux, nine, joined the school two years ago.
Visit the school's website here
This article was originally published in the Telegraph Weekly World Edition
Return to the Expat country profiles index.
