How to get involved in your child’s education in france

YOU DO NOT NEED AN IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FRENCH SYSTEM TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE. WE SPEAK TO FOREIGN PARENTS WHO PUT THEMSELVES FORWARD Getting involved in your child’s education can be

daunting when you are not familiar with the school system or not confident speaking French. However, there are several ways you can participate. Parents’ associations are one way to join

with other parents to defend your common interests. They may also organise trips, fairs or informational sessions around the school. If you really want to have a say, you can stand as a

_délégué _(parent representative). For each class, at least three times per year, a _conseil de classe_ is held among school staff and parent and student representatives, to discuss each

student’s marks as well as issues such as homework and pupils’ choices for the future. READ MORE: A GUIDE TO STARTING AT SCHOOL IN FRANCE Elections take place every October, and while it is

common for members of parents’ associations to stand, this is not a prerequisite. You can also stand for election to the _conseil d’administration_, the school board in _collège_ and

_lycée_. The primary equivalent is the _conseil d’école_. Responsibilities include agreeing the school’s budget and having a say on the addition or removal of academic options. NO SENSE OF

COMMUNITY As both a _déléguée_ in her son’s _lycée_ class and a teacher herself, Emma (name changed on interviewee’s request) has experienced both sides of the French education system. “You

can make of it what you want. My son went to a school which had an English section, so the parents were very active in that section,” she said, adding that it is rare for parents to speak up

during meetings. “Your role as a parent is mainly educational, and you are less involved in the wider school life in France. There is not really a sense of community around the school.”

‘SHE LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS MAD’ She gave the example of a parent she had previously spoken to who arrived for a _conseil de classe_. “I asked if she would like a coffee. She looked at me

like I was mad, and said no one had ever done that. “In England, we would make sure people feel comfortable. In France, you are expected to turn up and understand what’s going on.” CULTURE

SHOCK While it can be challenging if you do not speak French, Emma said she would encourage parents to participate, as it can be a cultural eye-opener. She also said foreign parents can be

taken aback by the educational culture in France. “For parents not used to the system, the way teachers treat children is surprising. Where my son went, there was a technology teacher who,

if you hadn’t drawn a line in the right place, would rip up the paper.” READ MORE: FRENCH EDUCATION: ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS STILL LAG IN FRANCE Barbara Armstrong was also surprised at the lack

of parent participation when she moved here more than 30 years ago. Her daughter had previously attended school in the UK and in California, where parents were eager to get involved. While

she was invited to consult with teachers due to her daughter’s struggles with French, none of the other parents did. Later, when her grandson attended the local one-room school in the

Cévennes mountains, the experience was radically different. “Here it’s all parents on board! With fair stalls, jam for _crêpes_ at the Chandeleur, meetings to learn about the programme the

teacher had chosen,” she said. Ms Armstrong believes a foreign perspective can be welcome. “And don’t worry about your accent. It might help your child’s teacher to understand why his

spelling is less accurate than his maths.” Foreign parents might even find they have other things to bring to the table. LINGUISTIC CHALLENGES Reader Bob Timms previously participated in

snowshoe and cross-country skiing outings, and _classe verte_ trips to the countryside. He is a qualified mountain walking guide, and cycling, canoeing, rafting and kayaking instructor and

guide. “My daughters’ schools liked having me along, even though my French was not always good enough to deal with backchat from cheeky kids,” he said. “Children can sense when people are

passionate about things and they are drawn to it. You don’t need a lot of language to facilitate great experiences.” Mr Timms suggested many instructions could be conveyed through body

language. It was while socialising with teachers and other parents at lunch that his language skills were most tested. “But those days were often the best at moving forward my

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