Should we? Could we?

[MaisonDeKids]

Move to Strasbourg. Myself, husband and four primary aged children. The kids understand some French but cannot read, write or speak it. I'm half French and reasonably confident in speaking but less so in writing it.

In order to work out if it's feasible to go and relocate there I need to find out about schools. As a primary school teacher I hope to eventually find work there but my initial concern is getting school places for the children. Can anyone advise on school options? The younger two (twins) are aged 5 and I think I could opt for a local state primary. The older two are 10 and 8 and I'm just not sure where to start. I'd like them to become bilingual but we cannot afford an international school. Are there state funded schools that offer a bilingual education?
Any advice appreciated.

Hi @MaisonDeKids just letting you know that we've moved this over to the Living Overseas folder, and hopefully some Mumsnetters will be along soon with some helpful advice.

Yes, there are state funded schools with sections internationale which teach English (and Humanity subjects) for bilingual DC or ones with high level English. This is more prevalent at secondary level (college+).

Don't discount privées though. These are Catholic schools (they own the buildings) but anyone can go to them. At the school my DS went to the headmaster said 85% of the students had no religion. Unlike English private schools they don't cost much, usually around 600euros per year depending on where you are and that's mostly lunch. There are often bilingual ones. Privées have more choice over curriculum than public schools but they are often pretty similar just with fee paying kids. The best thing is to check with your commune.

Your older DC would be going to Collège and will have the hardest time language wise depending on ability. Imo, if you are an English speaking family, it's best to keep it English at home and French at school. It will be a struggle to begin but they will pick things up.

Thank you for your reply movidensul, it's really helpful. The children currently attend a Catholic school so I will look into that option first. I take it you can look up a list of school options from the commune?

It's the fact that we cannot visit at the moment that makes it a bigger struggle to work out where to live in the city and what the schools/areas are like.

Then, educationally I wonder if it will be too much of a challenge for the older two. They enjoy school and are above average but when you look at how much 8 and 10 year olds know in their own language - it's a lot! I would need to get them a tutor: watching Netflix in French (which is what they currently do) and me speaking French occasionally at home isn't quite cutting it! We live in London so there are often children with little or no English attending mainstream education (I'm referring mostly to primary schools) and they do adapt but I'm not sure how common it is in France/Strasbourg.

If anyone is in Strasbourg or has moved to France with older children I'd love to find out more.
Many thanks, navigating new territories... all advice greatly appreciated.

Finding out about things online in France can be quite tricky ime. Better if you search via French search engine and in French preferably - so google.fr - and you should be able to find out about schools in your commune. I found out everything via word of mouth.

Being catholic or attending catholic school in france isn't a pre-requisite - anyone can go, it's just that the buildings are owned by the catholic church and they observe christian festivals.

I don't think the language is the challenge for children at all. It's more likely to be cultural especially for the older ones. The younger ones will adapt quickly. Also education in France is very academic, lots of rote learning etc.

Try this link for carholic schools.

www.ddec-alsace.fr/carte-des-etablissement

Thank you @frumpyswayingqueen and @movidensul I'm re-reading your messages and taking your tips on board. The link hasn't immediately worked but I'll search via google.fr and see what I get. Movidensul when you say language isn't a challenge but culture might be. Have you found that the immersion in the language means they pick up it up very quickly? I expect them to pick up the speaking relatively quickly as they have had some exposure. The reading, the writing and French grammar, however, will, I imagine be a lot harder. I understand your point about culture.

I'm curious about any others who have relocated to France with older children: pre-teens 10/11 year olds. Good and bad..

With regards to schooling, is it a case of you'll have more chance of getting a place if you're closer to the school. Or is that just in London?

I also need to explore rentals, easy to find in a London borough but trickier or maybe fewer available in Strasbourg? I've found some via seloger.com. Any other websites, any equivalent to rightmove/zoopla?

Many thanks

"when you say language isn't a challenge but culture might be. Have you found that the immersion in the language means they pick up it up very quickly? I expect them to pick up the speaking relatively quickly as they have had some exposure. The reading, the writing and French grammar, however, will, I imagine be a lot harder. I understand your point about culture."

Picking up the language varies from child to child but usually it follows a silent period of 6 months (listening). It depends on the childs age, ability and confidence ime. Grammar etc is easier the younger they are as at primaire they hammer it into them. My son started in France aged 11 at college and was fluent speaking/understanding very quickly but missed out on the rote learning from primary. Although he did pick it up as he went along.

"With regards to schooling, is it a case of you'll have more chance of getting a place if you're closer to the school. Or is that just in London?"

in big cities there is usually a postcode lottery going on but that is for public schools, for private schools (like catholic ones) it doesn't . Outside of cities it's much easier to get into any school you like.