Revolt stirs in France's schools against 'elitist' education system

The French government is experimenting with introducing more cultural activities in schools and has reformed the grading system in primaries.

It's hard to believe, when lessons are under way, that there are 700 children at Lou Redounet high school in Uzés, southern France. The corridors are silent; not a single pupil is out of place.

But behind the classroom doors a series of revolutionary experiments is under way. Children falling behind in maths, French and English are being taken aside for extra tutoring. In a few classes the tough marking system that dominates French schools has been quietly dropped. Teachers are encouraged to treat every pupil as an individual. By British standards these changes seem uncontroversial, but in France they are deemed so radical that they have already cost one headteacher his job........

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/25/france-schools-education-system

English speaking Kids Association this Saturday

I just wanted to remind you that it's the ESKA event next Saturday, at 4pm, at the Salle de Conférences in Lunel Viel (www.englishspeakingkidsassociation.fr).  We have planned a Carnival, so please come dressed up, there'll be some games and we can make some crêpes, I'll bring a batch of crêpe mixture and some apricot jam, if you have other preferences then please bring along a contribution ;-)

Just to give you advance notice, we plan to organise a picnic in the park event for April with a particular focus on older children, I have quite a list now of older children so I think it's about time we did something for them...  again please don't hesitate to give me your ideas for this.

Hope to see you next week, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards, Victoria

Ecole Maternelle - sign ups

I went this morning to our local mairie ... My Eloise turns 3 in September so will be starting the petite section of our local maternelle.

I had to take our livret de famile (birth certificate), our tax d'habiation and an EDF (electricity) bill.

Next week, I then take my mairie declaration with me to take to the school along with her vaccination certificate to enrol her at school.

She's really going to love it...