Fulham Bilingual for English speaking families?

[MsC123]

I’m thinking of sending my English speaking child to the Fulham Bilingual as part of the state school. We are very local and I’d love for my child to learn French.

I’ve heard there are a few non-French speaking children at the school but not many. Would love to hear any views on this. Are they likely to struggle with little to no French to begin with? Do they get additional support if required?
Thanks in advance

Hello, I was in a similar position to you a few years ago when ds was about to start primary school, ex dh is french but never taught ds french. I was told it was very difficult for those non french speaking kids Whom had no exposure to french. The headmaster of this school later affirmed this view when I enquired snout in- year entry.

note also that thd French system is different and they don’t learn to read until year 1/2

Thanks for sharing this. Yes it sounds like it would be very challenging.

Dd is learning French now I'm just not sure it's enough and I'd hate to have to move her if it were too much of a struggle to make it work despite tutoring

I'm also concerned that the pastoral care isn't great from what I've heard- would love to hear opinions on this too

@MsC123 yes I had the same concerns re pastoral care - the French have a different approach. I also found it difficult to speak to the teachers, found they were more receptive to the francophone parents.

note also that it’s senior school (the lycee C.D.g) received an inadequate rating from OFSTED.

Yes I can imagine that. And I heard about the ofsted report, definitely a concern.
Would love to know which school you settled on in the end? Please pm me, would be very grateful