Skipping a year in French schools - is it common?

[castille]

Bit of a long shot, but here goes...

DD2 (8) has just gone into CM1 so in theory has this year and next before starting secondary. But her teacher said to me last week that we should be thinking about her skipping CM2 and going straight to secondary next September.

Their school seems to do this quite frequently, but is it usual here? I'm very about it.

Putting the able kids up and having the less able kids repeat a year has been going on a looooong time.
DS skipped a year of maternelle.
DH skipped a year (he's not sure which!) of primary in the 1970s so got his BAC aged 17.

I would think if they has suggested it she is able academically.

Secondary school is a big move though. How do you think she will cope without her friends?

She is bright, but she's the youngest in her year as it is (end of year birthday) and I'm not sure she'll be emotionally ready for the big leap in a year.

She and her best friend are, I think, on a par academically so it's likely the suggestion will be made to BF's parents too. Not that they'll go to the same secondary, but DD2 won't want to stay at primary if her friend is moving on.

I'd feel like we were depriving her of a year of relatively carefree childhood and the good feeling of being a big fish in a small pond though. DD1 has just started secondary and it really is a huge change...