Introduction
CFBL has developed expertise in bilingual primary education from PSM to CM2.
Each class is taught half the time by a qualified teacher who is a native French speaker, and the other half of the time by a qualified teacher who is a native English speaker. Consequently, the classes receive 13 hours a week of lessons taught in French and 13 hours of lessons taught in English. The two teachers work in close cooperation to define the contents of the lessons.
All the subjects and programs defined by the French Department for Education are therefore studied in both languages in a perfectly balanced teaching timetable, managed by pairs of native French and English-speaking teachers.
CFBL’s bilingualism is further enhanced by the bicultural dimension of the teaching, as the English-speaking teachers use specific teaching methods and practices which are a positive additional contribution. CFBL is therefore the meeting point of two teaching cultures and, as a result, both classes and assessments bring to bear the most relevant aspects of both systems.
As a registered independent school we have applied to be exempt from the learning and development requirements of the EYFS.
Parents’ Handbook & School Rules
We recommend that you read the Parents' Handbook, which addresses (almost!) all of the questions parents may have, and School rules for primary, which details all the rules of the school.
Curriculum
From PSM to CM2, CFBL’s teachings correspond to the guidelines set out by the French Ministry for Education. They are based on the Common Core of Knowledge, Skills and Culture, a programme articulated around 5 main domains:
languages to think and communicate
methods and tools to learn
the development of the person and the citizen
natural and technical systems
representations of the world and of human activity
Since September 2016, a new curriculum is in place for all of primary school and secondary school as part of the 2013 law on educational reform. Teachings are now organised in cycles:
Cycle 1 (ages 3-6) : PS, MS, GS
Cycle 2 (ages 6-9) : CP, CE1, CE2
Cycle 3 (ages 9-12) : CM1, CM2, 6ème
Cycle 4 (ages 12-15) : 5ème, 4ème, 3ème
One of CFBL’s priorities being the success of its students, programmes are built over 3-year cycles in order to create continuity over the 9 years of mandatory schooling: The main innovation of this new curriculum is based on continuity and homogeneity of the subjects in order to better follow pupils’ progress. Cycle 3, which links primary and secondary, creates a transition between the two schools and enhances academic continuity.
PSHE & EVARS Programme: Educating for respect, safety and kindness
Our school offers a comprehensive programme of education in wellbeing, safety and living together, based on two complementary components: PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and EVARS (Education in Emotional, Relational and Sexual Life). Together, these two approaches offer pupils a coherent pathway to understanding their development, respecting others and becoming responsible citizens.
School hours
During the school term, class run Monday through Friday – apart from 5 inset Wednesdays, the dates of which will be given during the school year – at the following times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8.45am-3.30 pm
Wednesday: 8.45am-12.15pm
Students are welcome to arrive from 8:30 am.
Breaks
There are two breaks during the school day: one in the morning, and one in the afternoon.
Primary school pupils have lunch at CFBL on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. During the midday break, pupils can have lunch and play on the playground, go to the library or go to lunch-time clubs.
Absences
If your child is absent, please email us (info@cfbl.org.uk) and mention their first name, last name, class and the reason for the absence.
In case of a scheduled absence (for example, a doctor’s appointment), please send an email to info@cfbl.org.uk at least 48 hours before the scheduled absence.
A medical certificate is required for an absence due to illness lasting more than one week.
School supplies
The contents of the pencil case are provided for all pupils, as well as a day planner from Year 3 upwards.
The PE uniform can be purchased from Ace Sports.
Two full changes of clothes in a small fabric bag, which will remain in your child’s locker at school (underwear/socks/t-shirts/trousers/jumpers).
A small fabric bag with a small blanket, which will remain at school for nap time.
A small comfort toy or comfort object, which will also remain in the classroom.
A recent ID photo of your child, as well as the completed “All about me” document. Once the teachers’ email addresses have been shared with you in early June, please send the photo and the completed “All about me” document directly to them by email.
Please make sure your child wears Velcro shoes, not shoes with laces, so that they can easily take part in PE.
The PE uniform is not required in Petite Section. However, we do physical activities every day, so please make sure your child is dressed comfortably.
Finally, please label all your child’s indoor and outdoor clothing, as well as their nap kit, spare clothes and bag.
Thank you very much.
Two large boxes of tissues and one pack of wipes.
One pair of spare shoes (trainers or sandals).
One full change of clothes in a small fabric bag, which will remain in your child’s locker at school (underwear/socks/t-shirt/trousers/jumper).
Please make sure children wear shoes that are easy to take off, put back on and fasten (no laces).
The PE uniform is not required in Moyenne Section. However, we do physical activities every day, so please make sure children are dressed comfortably.
Finally, please label your child’s coats, jumpers, cardigans, slippers, scarf, gloves, etc.
Thank you very much.
One box of tissues.
One closed bag labelled with your child’s name and class, containing spare clothes: t-shirt, trousers, underwear and socks.
One plastic cup labelled with your child’s first name.
One hair tie for children with long hair.
Please make sure your child’s name is clearly written on their clothing (jumper, jacket, etc.).
PE kit (Ace Sports)
Swimming items, in a suitable bag:
a swimming costume/swimsuit;
a towel;
a swimming cap;
flip-flops or pool shoes.
no stationery
an apron or smock for messy work
an ardoise with Seyes lines and dry erase pens for French handwriting
2 boxes of tissues
For PE: 1 CFBL uniform (Ace Sports)
All items must be labelled with your child’s first name.
For more eco-friendly school supplies, we encourage parents to reuse school materials from previous years.
Headphones.
One empty standard-size pencil case.
School planners are provided by the school. Please label the materials provided.
PE uniform.
One bag for swimming items.
One-piece swimsuit.
Swimming cap.
Goggles (optional).
Towel.
For more eco-friendly school supplies, we encourage parents to reuse school materials from previous years.
A school bag that is sturdy and wide enough to hold exercise books slightly larger than A4 format.
One empty pencil case to keep in class.
Headphones to keep in class, with a small fabric bag to store them in.
One water bottle, labelled with your child’s name, to keep in class.
One CFBL PE kit, labelled with your child’s name.
One stocked pencil case to keep at home (pencil, eraser, ruler, sharpener, blue pens, red pen, black pen, green pen, coloured pencils).
One whiteboard to keep at home.
Mandatory purchase: “Maître Lucas Français et Maths CE2 - Nouveau programme - Cahier de soutien avec des vidéos : leçons et exercices”, French edition, by Bénédicte Idiard and Maître Lucas.
Legami pens are not allowed.
One microfibre cloth for a whiteboard.
One pencil sharpener with a container.
One large pencil case.
One water bottle labelled with your child’s name.
The CFBL PE kit, labelled with your child’s name.
Audio headphones (example) + storage box.
Legami pens are not allowed.
If your child already has these items, or something similar, please feel free to use them instead of making an unnecessary new purchase.
1 wired headset, clearly labelled with your child’s name, to be left at school.
Water bottle.
Certificate of school attendance
Should you need a certificate of school attendance, please contact info@cfbl.org.uk. Do not forget to add the full name of the child, their date of birth, their class and the date of their first day at CFBL (or arrival and departure dates for former students).