School

Why are school children’s bags so heavy in France?

The problem persists despite official weight recommendations

What is the average number of pupils in a French state school class – and how does it compare with the UK and US?

France’s declining population is helping to reduce average class sizes

Navigating La Rentrée: My daughter’s first week of school in France

From stationery lists to school insurance, there is a lot to learn about the French school system

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Schools in France: What is changing in 2026-27

Emphasis on 'three Rs', plus new phone rules and AI use

Mobile phone use ban in French high schools begins next week

New rules to extend restrictions already in place in primary and middle schools

A guide to starting school in France

From the signing up process to school insurance and financial aids

France school holidays 2026-27: Key dates for parents

The holidays are staggered between three academic zones

British boarding schools: why French families are making the leap

Parents who have made the leap, and those who help families take it, explain why

La rentrée: 12 points to understand French schools

From food to bullying - some things may surprise you about the education system in France

Back-to-school costs are lower in France this year

The cost of la rentrée is falling but the state grant meant to help lower-income families is not keeping pace with inflation

Four portrait images show people outdoors, beside a horse and in an ornate interior.

‘All the doors are open’-- How France is attracting America’s brightest graduates

Thirty American graduates have won places on France's new Lafayette Fellowship, a fully funded program designed to strengthen academic and diplomatic ties between the two countries

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What punishments are French teachers allowed to hand out?

Some offences are recorded on a student’s academic record

Left to right Bethan, Maria, Patrick, Sarah, Francis, Hannah, Daniel, David, Lizzie

Family honours daughter’s memory with book donations to French schools

Hannah Jones was killed in a collision with a drunk driver near Toulouse in July 2025

Image shows students at a forest school outdoors learning with teachers.

The French school where children learn and study outside

We visit a ‘forest school’ where the focus is on an alternative education model

Map: When are school holidays for the rest of the year in France?

The holidays are strictly demarcated by geographical zone

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

A child playing piano with the help of an adult teacher

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

Kids with school backpacks running into school

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

A boy sitting with his head in his hands in front of school lockers

IN IMAGES: How France plans to tackle school bullying

New measures have been announced after the suicide of a boy, 15, in early September

What is a TEFL certificate, do I need this to teach in France?

You will need this to teach English at a private institution in France – but is it worth getting one?

Why are there so many private school pupils in Brittany?

Brittany’s long tradition of catholic private schools has roots in the historical resistance of Breton against France’s centralism and uniformity

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

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

SEE: Number of pupils per class in France, funding and more

We look at key statistics as school restart after the summer break

What’s new for pupils as schools restart in France

Changes to primary and secondary education as well as to the Bac exam have been announced

Why Bic pens pose a problem to teachers in France as schools restart

The BIC 4 Colour pen is a French design classic that is much loved by school kids - and much maligned by teachers

Stricter laws have not put us off homeschooling in France

James Tetley, based in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, explains why he and his wife Jayne chose to educate their four children at home, and how it has been working out

Millions of families in France receive ‘return to school’ grants today

Eligibility is based on overall household income - we explain

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

An image of the words 'School Holidays' spelled out in play dough

MAP: French school holidays 2023-24 by region

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

A photo of an energy meter with coins piled up in front of it

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

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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

Woman homeschooling boy with books on desk

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

An image of a gendarme taken from behind

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

A young boy holds up a negative Covid self-test

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

Samsung smart TV with video streaming apps: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and HBO

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

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