Lyon - schools

[user1466539618]

Hi all, I was hoping someone could help with the below?

We are planning to move to Lyon (hopefully this summer, with my 2 children starting the next school year there). I have a 5yo in Y1 in the UK and another who will be 3 in July.

We are planning on visiting CSI (for the eldest), Petit Monde and Ombrosa. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on these or other (English speaking) schools???? We are not interested in ISL or ones that are in the west...

Any tips on school location in terms of dropping the kids off in the morning before work? For example, is Ombrosa impossible for young children unless you live around Caluire (especially since the kids are too young for the bus) ? Same for CSI (as I don't particularly want to live in the 7th).

We are looking to have a much shorter work commute than we have here in London so we will probably start off in central Lyon (or Caluire), either renting or buying (depending on our UK house sale). I will likely not work at the start while the kids transition, but want to put them in school somewhere where it is still easy to get to the centre/Part dieu district afterwards.

Some context: My husband is French so the 5yo speaks French (and can read some), but is more fluent in English; the youngest also understands french. We will likely be in France for a while (although not necessarily in Lyon for more than a few years). The eldest could attend a local French school but I want her to keep her English skills. I also think the youngest will be more comfortable in an English speaking maternelle, at least for the first year. Lack of support for parents in English (eg all paperwork is in French) is not a problem as I am also fluent in French.

Thank you! Any other tips from local Mumsnetters (eg housing/rental market, local tips) would be welcome. We are moving without jobs at this stage for family reasons (they are in Isère) so we are not tied to a particular area. We are both familiar with Lyon, but it has been over a decade since my husband lived there...

[Nlds]

You speak English? Then your child will keep their skills in English.

It makes absolute sense to send to state or Catholic school. Save your money, allow your child to integrate.

[vitaminC]

I agree. If you plan to stay in France long-term, your kids will integrate much better if you put them into the local school system as young as possible. If you speak English at home they'll still end up bilingual.

My kids are much older, so I don't know about primary schools, I'm afraid, but the areas I would be looking to move to with young children would the the 6th, 4th or Caluire (the part around the Gare de Cuire) if you want to be central.

Beware of counting on the trains to get you to Grenoble, if that's your plan! The TER between Lyon and Grenoble is terribly unreliable. Flixbus/Ouibus is better, but it's usually faster by car - even with heavy traffic!

[pluiedeprintemps]

www.auxlazaristes.fr/

Aux lazaristes ? Catholic and private but apparently very good!

[user1466539618]

Thank you for your responses so far. We are not sure if we will be in Lyon long term (I have already moved countries a few times as an adult); if we are we may well put our kids in the French system in a couple of years, but we would like them to start in an English or part English environment. My 5yo also finds this reassuring as she is anxious about going to a school in French (even though we know she would be fine!) I had understood that both CSI and Ombrosa have quite a lot of local students and also only provide some lessons in English.

VitaminC - those are the areas we have been thinking about but I wasn't sure how convenient it would be to get to the schools, especially before the kids are old enough to get the school bus. I have used that train before and it always surprises me how slow it is for a relatively short distance!

Pluie - thanks for the tip. We would like to send them to a secular school at least for primary (and my husband feels strongly about this for all schooling) but it has excellent results. I will bear it in mind for later if we are still in Lyon!

Does anyone else know the schools I mentioned?

Many thanks

[pinkhousesarebest]

Some lovely villages on the Quai de Saône with a direct bus route straight into town - Fontaines sur Saône, Fleurieu sur Saône, Cailloux sur Fontaine. The Ombrosa buses also run from Champagne au Mont d’Or through St Didier, St Cyr, Collongesau Mont d’Or. Really nice, vibrant places with lots to do but expensive. Caluire is more like a suburb.
Ombrosa is totally English in Maternelle and then one week French, one week English. There are separate English programmes for Native and Bilingual Dcs can take the school buses from Maternelle if they have older siblings and from CP they go it alone.
Only really know about Ombrosa. I’m sure there will be someone along shortly who can fill you in on CSI.

[user1466539618]

Pink houses - thank you! Apologies for not replying earlier, with everything that has been going on this slipped my mind. We would still like to move, but might need to push this back a bit. Stay safe!

[GrimSisters]

@user1466539618
Sorry to dig up your thread. Just wondering if you'd got anywhere with arranging schooling in Lyon yet? I'm in a completely different situation in that my ex is French, he's never spoken to DC in French and now DC is wanting to go and live with him in Lyon for a secondary school year to learn the language.
We've just been told she's got into CSI Anglo section.
Can't say I'm not worried but I'm sure will be an experience (of the sink or swim variety?).

[user1466539618]

Hi,

COVID put our plans on hold for a few months! My daughter is primary school age so she is meant to have a test in person at the end of August for CSI (not sure if that will happen!). Parents in Lyon will be able to help more, but my understanding of CSI Anglo was that some lessons are in French and others in English (so there will be some element of immersion, although communicating in English with her peers in the Anglo section should be fine). I think the international school uses English as the primary language. We also got sent plenty of info by Ombrosa but didn't have a chance to visit.

There are lots of good language apps - I have been brushing up on my French using them

[GrimSisters]

I know, she's spending a lot more time on Duolingo now. I actually managed a long, civil discussion with her father yesterday evening with regard to the logistics, which seemed positive. I do worry she'll struggle though as she's not particularly articulate in English! Could be the making of her though - will be sending her with all the UK syllabus books as well so she'll have an idea about what she'll return to.
My main worry is that she won't want to come back. 😢

[jodes7001]

Sorry to jump on this thread years after, but my husband has been offered a chance to work in Lyon. We currently live in Glasgow (he’s Scottish, I’m Californian with dual U.K./US) with our kids ages 2 and 4. I was wondering if Ombrosa is the best option or if I sent the older one to a local primary school if there is a level of French language integration as we don’t speak French at all (yes we’ll learn). Lastly, what’s a good area that has nice coffee spots/public transport/good schools that we could ideally rent a house in? I’m not against living in a flat, but I prefer an outdoor space which is probably hard to find. Any advice appreciated.

[Ceramiq]

If your children don't go to French school and don't learn French they won't be able to participate in extra-curricular activities or be part of the social fabric. It will be isolating for you as a family. Ideally your children would go to a French sous contrat private school with an English bilingual section.