The French Education system

Structure of education in France

30 académies in France

France is divided into 30 schools & university called ‘académies’ Every school depends on one district The ‘Recteur’ (Commissioner of Education), head of the ‘académie’, applies the decisions taken by the Department of Education

The departement of Education determines : the teaching methods the programs the status and the educational rules in each school employment, training and management of teachers provides teachers, administratives and services staff for each school

Specifics of french education system School is compulsory from 6 to 16 2 kinds of schools : Public schools (80% of the students) is non- religious (freedom of thought – no religion class) Private schools (20%) Every school has ‘Internal regulations’ meant for each member of the school community (rights & duties) Students & teachers have to apply the rules of regular attendance & punctuality

Stages of French education class age entitled Pre-elementary (optionnal) 3-4 4-5 5-6 PS MS Grande section primary 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 CP CE1 CE2 CM1 CM2 secondary 11-15 15-18 Lower secondary Upper secondary After 18 Higher education University

Three cycles cycle 1 domains hours per week oral and writing language discovery the world 5 h physical education 4 h arts Cycle 1: basic learning several subjects : - appropriate the language - become a pupil - act and express himself with the body - discover the world - perceive, smell, imagine, create

Three cycles cycle II domains hours per week french 10 h mathematics physical education 3 h foreign language 1 h 30 arts 1 h 15 discovery the world 2 h 15 Cycle 2 : fundamental learning - the learning of the reading - the writing and the French language - the knowledge and the understanding of the numbers - the code of the numbers ( decimal numeration) - the calculation on small quantities

Three cycles cycle III domains hours per week french 8 h mathematics physical education 3 h foreign language 1 h 30 arts, geography, history 2 h 30 discovery the world 2 h cycle 3 deeper approach the French language ability the main elements of mathematics the acquisition of the landing 2 of the Common base of the knowledge and the skills

The school organization • 24 hours a week + 2 hours for tailored support / no school on Wednesdays & Saturdays • optional cafeteria • hours : 8:30 -11:30 1:30 - 4:30 breaks at 10:30 & 3:00

Exemple of time table C1 Exemple of time table C2 & 3 in small groups differents activities are proposed all along the day rituels are important in the morning and all along the day Exemple of time table C2 & 3 mornings : mathematics and french afternoons : arts , english, sports, sciences, geography, history, music

The school organization • the head teacher is a primary school teacher who is partially or totally discharged of classes • teachers teach all subjects & are in charge of a full class which could be with different levels • parents are represented & have a seat at the ‘School’s council’ • other staff : specialized teacher (for the handicapped or children who have difficulties) we can contact if necessary : social assistant, nurse, doctor and psychologist

The seven key competences of the common core of knowledge and skills command of the French language proficiency in a modern foreign language key elements of mathematics, science and technology; proficiency in information, technology and communication humanist culture social and civic skills autonomy and initiative.

Three stages of assessment (primary and secondary) the first stage : at the end of cycle 2 the second : at the end of cycle 3 a third and final : at the end of secondary school