returning to the UK state system in year 11 from France/French system

[Mel0303]

We are planning to return to the UK from France for 2020-2021 school year and my son would be due to go into year 11 - a terrible time to return as half way through the 2 year GCSE programme. A july baby so young for the year (yet academically very capable, if not a bit laid back), we are thinking best for him to go into Year 10 even though technically should go into year 11 - is this even possible if we come into the UK state system? Thanks for any helpful advice! Mel

Is there any possibility of him going to he French Lycee in London, and keeping with the curriculum he is familiar with?

I realise that this is absolutely not an answer to the question you asked.

If you look at other threads on this subject you'll see that your suggestion is a good one and people have had some success in persuading school of this.

No personal experience, but speaking as a former teacher, it's very unusual for students to join a new school in yr 11. The summer birthday will be good for him I guess as it will not be so obvious (eg if his 16th birthday is in the holidays then it won't make him so clearly a year older if that makes sense).

I would start to contact schools now and see if the ones you favour are likely to have a space and be on board with this idea.

@Mel0303 , try and search on a thread called new to u.k. education .... advice needed on school choice.
It was about a dd moving from USA to UK in year 11. It's a very difficult move.

@clary . many thanks for your reply - encouraging and i will keep looking for pertinent information in the threads. I saw the one about a student moving from the USA to the UK, but my main query is whether my son would be accepted into effectively another school year or whether this is rigidly imposed and not possible...will keep looking! Maybe it is discretionary which would be easier to deal with...thanks

I’ve seen students put down a year before. I think it’s at the discretion of the headteacher, though so would depend on a particular school.

A friends child was allowed into Yr12 rather than Yr 13 (Lycee CDG was amazingly unhelpful, she thought because she was English, though her son had been educated exclusively in France).

Another, very academic, child moving in Yr 11 took GCSEs in a year at a “crammer ” (DLD, Ashbourne, MPW and others offer this) and did very well, though it was seriously hard work.in their case it was deliberate to have their DS adjusted to the English system before A levels.

One good thing about moving back seems to be that children seem to enjoy the English system more than the French especially in the last two to three years when the volume that French children need to cover is huge.

Has your DS been in the UK system before or has he been entirely educated in the French curriculum up to now? I ask because they are extremely different, not just in terms of language but in the teaching style and expected output: GCSE essays etc. If he has experience of the UK curriculum it might work but do not underestimate the amount of extra work he will need to do even if he manages to get a place in Year 10.

I speak from experience: one of mine went into Year 9 on our return from France and one into Year 11. It has been an exceptional amount of hard work for them, despite both being able. It is also something I would not wish on any teenager who is already dealing with the transition between countries/schools.

You will probably get a more positive response from private schools, who would be likely to put your son straight into Year 10. This was not an option that was offered to us when we tried to get my DC into local state schools.

There is more flexibility in sixth form as there is funding until year of 19th birthday, so can be taken over 3 years. Many schools are reluctant to intake out of year before then. Gcse stats are taken for those 16 in year 11. Gcse courses may start in year 9. If you can fund it there are one year gcses in " crammar" colleges or independent schools may offer year 10.

I did exactly that many years ago, returning from growing up in North Africa and attending French schools between ages of 6 and 15. They put me down a year to do my o levels. It was fine. I actually found going from French to English system fairly easy, and less stressful especially as ( in those days at least ) there weren’t the endless “ interros” to deal with once I got back to England.

Just to clarify, it was a selective state school. I was a nerdy b kid and got on pretty well.