\n Heading off to school in France in September can be a stressful time for parents and children \u2013 whether or not you\u2019ve done it all before.\n <\/p>\n
There\u2019s making sure you have everything you need from your school\u2019s list, checking your beloved offspring are catching the correct bus know where and how to get back \u2013 and what to do if they hop on the wrong bus back. Then, there\u2019s making sure that everyone gets up at the right time, has something to wear, and that your youngest hasn\u2019t mistakenly packed the cat in their bag.<\/p>\n
READ ALSO <\/b>How to prepare for your child starting at French school<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n But, beyond the day-to-day, there\u2019s a whole load of information parents may need to know. Here are some websites that might be useful.<\/p>\n Term time<\/b><\/p>\n The most important question on any child\u2019s mind as they head back to school after the long summer holidays is: when is the next holiday?<\/p>\n That\u2019s a question that\u2019s not necessarily as easy to answer as you may think, as France has divided its school holidays into three regions to prevent over-booking of hotel resorts at peak times.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Toussaint, Christmas and the long summer break are the same wherever you live in France. Others \u2013 the two-week winter and Spring holidays \u2013 are spread over a four-week period.<\/p>\n This is the government website that confirms when schools in France break up for the holidays and go back<\/a> where you live.<\/p>\n READ ALSO Can parents take children out of French schools for a religious holiday?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Insurance questions<\/b><\/p>\n Your school will demand that you have insurance for your child \u2013 known as assurance scolaire. This is to cover the cost of any damage that may be caused or incurred at school. It will cover:<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n Depending on the formula chosen, the insurance protects your child in one of the following ways:<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n You can take out this insurance with your usual insurer, or join a group contract offered by a parents\u2019 association or by a private educational establishment.<\/p>\n Be aware that you may be covered under existing insurance arrangements.<\/p>\n You can find out more, here<\/a><\/p>\n READ ALSO Parents reveal: What to expect when your non-French speaking child starts school in France<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Financial help<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re registered with France\u2019s social security system and have school-age children, you may be eligible for means-tested help with the annual cost of buying everything you need for class. A lump sum is then deposited into your bank account in August. To find out if you\u2019re eligible, you can click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lower-income households may also be eligible for additional grants and help \u2013 you can find out more, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ ALSO Why do (most) French primary schools have Wednesday off?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Exams<\/b><\/p>\n The bac and the brevet exams weigh heavily on the minds of children at lyc\u00e9es and coll\u00e8ges in France. There are regular changes to how the exams are set and administered \u2013 for example, this year children in premi\u00e8re classes (those born in 2009 who are still in education) will take an additional maths exam<\/a> to confirm they\u2019re meeting expectations.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Alternatively, if your child is due to take their brevet this year, but plans to study a vocational course after completing their exams, there are things you need to know<\/a>.<\/p>\n You may also want to know more about the new education programme for emotional, relational and sexual life<\/a> that will be unveiled at the start of the 2025-26 school year.<\/p>\n READ ALSO Are packed lunches really banned in French schools?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Sport<\/b><\/p>\n Schools in France have a unique relationship with sport, competitive sport in particular. This simulator helps you find out whether you will need to supply a medical certificate in order to practice sport<\/a> at school or at a club.<\/p>\n Health<\/b><\/p>\n Children in cinqui\u00e8me \u2013 the second year of coll\u00e8ge \u2013 are to be offered a Meningococcal ACWY vaccine that can help protect against meningococcal disease. Unlike other vaccines, this is not compulsory. You can find out more about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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