Secondary school

Introduction

The teaching programme in secondary continues to emphasise proficiency in English and the intensive learning of other modern languages.

From 6ème, all students have five hours of English and British culture classes. The aim is to enable as many students as possible at the end of  3ème to sit the tests for the French national schools' certificate (Diplôme National du Brevet – DNB), International option.

CFBL also offers teaching completely in English for some non-linguistic subjects, such as the visual arts, music and information technology.

CFBL also attaches great importance to other modern languages. Spanish, German and Mandarin are offered as second modern languages from 6ème. Beginners Mandarin is offered to all students in 4ème and 3ème who have not choose it as second modern language.

At the end of 3ème, our students move on to a French lycée in London (mainly the Lycée International Winston Churchill, but also the Lycée Charles de Gaulle) or another school in France or overseas. Some students continue in the English educational system.

Parents’ Handbooks & rules of procedure

Please download the parents’ handbook – released in July 2022 – and the Code of Conduct for secondary.

Curriculum

Compulsory subjects

Hours per week

* Classes taught in English
** Classes taught in English or French

Optional subjects

* Classes taught in English

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh is an national programme that seeks to develop students’ soft skills and enhance their CVs and university applications. Students learn how to work as a team, be commited and dedicated, how to take on responsibility. They are also given opportunities to grow and mature. This is a paid-for option (£200 per year).

If selected, students will participate within the Bronze Award, which requires them to complete four separate sections:

  • Volunteering: 3 months* 
    Volunteer to give time to help people in your community or society, the environment or animals. For volunteer activities you need to choose to give time to do something useful without getting paid (apart from expenses).

  • Physical: 3 months*
    Taking part in a physical activity.

  • Skills: 3 months*
    Developing a skill helps you get better at something you are really interested in and gives you the confidence and ability to use this skill both now and later in life

  • Expedition: 2 days / 1 night (plus a training expedition: 2 days/1 night)
    Hiking, map reading, camping overnight and cooking in groups. Two separate locations for these expeditions.

*one of these 3 sections must take place over 6 months

Students will meet with the DofE Leader at CFBL (Mr Canto) every week to help guide them through each section, and ensure all administrational work is completed before final expedition. Training will be given on map reading, using a compass, planning routes, preparing and packing equipment (including packing their rucksacks), assembling of tents, use of stoves, and basic meal planning and preparation. In addition, all students will learn basic first aid training (all students must have their own first aid kit on expeditions).
There will be a practice expedition in Octobre and final expedition in spring, both for 2 days / 1 night each.

Brevet results

Year

Entered

Passed

Quite good

Good

Very good

2012

37

35

10

14

11

2013

72

70

16

28

20

2014

84

84

21

29

28

2015

86

85

23

24

22

2016

72

72

16

31

25

2017

80

80

6

16

57

2018

60

60

6

14

38

2019

70

70

9

10

50

2020

56

55

4

11

37

2021

58

58

10

10

38

2022

62

62

6

23

29

2023

59

58

7

19

31

School hours

During the term, the school runs Monday through Friday.

Each school day is divided into nine 50-minute sessions:

Students are welcome to arrive from 8:15 onwards.

Breaks

There are two breaks during the school day: 10:15-10:30 and 14:05-14:20.
Students have lunch from 11:25 to 12:15, from 12:20 to 13:10, or from 13:15 to 14:05, depending on their schedule. 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 (viescolaire@cfbl.org.uk) and mention the student's first name, last name and class, and the reason for their absence.

After an absence and before going back to class, the student will have to give the Deputy Headteacher for Secondary School a letter signed by his or her parents (or legal guardian).

In case of a scheduled absence (for example, a doctor’s appointment), please send an email to viescolaire@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.

Supplies for 2023-2024

Below is a list of textbooks and supplies for the 2023-2024 academic year. Please note that the PE kit is mandatory for all students. Students will be given a day planner, so it is not necessary for them to buy one. We kindly ask you to provide a water bottle for your child(ren) as CFBL is trying to reduce the use of plastic.

In order to limit the weight of school bags, we have decided to switch to digital textbooks in secondary school. These textbooks will be available and viewable on Pronote. They are not intended to be used in class; copies will be available to students at CFBL. The cost per student per year will range from £25 to £30.

A fully stocked pencil case – eco-friendly if possible:

4 colored pen or 4 pens (1 blue, 1 red, 1 green, 1 black) or 1 ink erasable pen

1 pencil

1 rubber eraser

1 pen sharpener

1 ruler

1 glue

1 scissors

1 highlighter pen

6 colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown)

1 eraser and/or 1 correction pen

1 set of earphones/earbuds/headphones (no Airpods)

History-Geography

  • One pair of headphones with jack plug (no airpods/bluetooth) to share with other subjects

  • A4 file (4 rings) and 6 dividers

  • Single large-square pages

  • Full pencil case and coloured pencils

  • A display folder

  • A4 notebook

DNL Mathematics (English language) and Mathematics (French language): common material

  • 1 notebook 24 X 27 Seyes 96 p. plastic cover or protector - notebook to be shared with Maths in French (common class book). 

  • 1 notebook 24 X 27 Seyes 96 p. laminated cover or protector - notebook to be shared with Mathématiques en langue française (common exercise book). 

    If the workbooks are not completed in 6e , we strongly advise that they be reused in 5e. 

  • 1 complete good quality geometry kit: ruler, square, protractor, Maped compass with stop system, see link

  • #1 Casio Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio New Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio Fx 92 special secondary school calculator (this model only) , see link

  • 1 complete pencil case, shared with other subjects, with pencil, rubber, glue, erasable ink pens or fountain pens, coloured pens, rubber or white-out, pencil sharpener, if possible eco-sustainable.

    Please note 

    1°) The printed textbook for DNL created by the Mathematics department will be provided at the beginning of the year.  

    2°) The French-language digital textbook will be available on pronote; the printed version will be available in class.

French

  • A4 (4 rings) ring binder (soft cover, lighter, recommended) and 8 dividers

  • Single and double squared paper

  • A small hole punch (optional)

  • an exercise book

  • Headphones (wired - not Bluetooth)

  • Small A6 notebook, 192 pages minimum (to keep for the 4 years of secondary school)




Technology/ S.V.T./ Physics 

A large-format binder containing : 

  • 15 small-squared pages (single or double)

  • 15 large-square pages (single)

  • 4 dividers

  • 10 blank sheets (perforated)

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

English

Spanish

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • Notebook protector or plastic cover

German

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • "Hab Spaß 1" activity book

Mandarin

  • One large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic sleeve

  • A writing book

  • An activity book

Art

  • A4 Sketchbook min 140 gsm cartridge paper (no ring bind or tear away pads)

  • 2x HB, 1x 2B and 1x 6B pencils

  • 0.5 mm black fineliner

  • Coloured pencils

  • Set of watercolors (for home use)

Music

  • 1 manuscript book (A5)

A fully stocked pencil case – eco-friendly if possible:

4 colored pen or 4 pens (1 blue, 1 red, 1 green, 1 black) or 1 ink erasable pen

1 pencil

1 rubber eraser

1 pen sharpener

1 ruler

1 glue

1 scissors

1 highlighter pen

6 colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown)

1 eraser and/or 1 correction pen

1 set of earphones/earbuds/headphones (no Airpods)

History-Geography whole class/international option

  • One pair of headphones with jack plug (no airpods/bluetooth) to share with other subjects

  • A4 file (4 rings) and 6 dividers

  • Single large-square pages

  • Full pencil case and coloured pencils

History-Geography - curriculum

  • A display folder

  • A4 notebook

DNL Mathematics (English language) and Mathematics (French language): common material

  • 1 notebook 24 X 27 Seyes 96 p. plastic cover or protector - notebook to be shared with Maths in French (common class book). 

  • 1 notebook 24 X 27 Seyes 96 p. laminated cover or protector - notebook to be shared with Mathématiques en langue française (common exercise book). 

    If the workbooks are not completed in 6e , we strongly advise that they be reused in 5e. 

  • 1 complete good quality geometry kit: ruler, square, protractor, Maped compass with stop system, see link

  • #1 Casio Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio New Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio Fx 92 special secondary school calculator (this model only) , see link

  • 1 complete pencil case, shared with other subjects, with pencil, rubber, glue, erasable ink pens or fountain pens, coloured pens, rubber or white-out, pencil sharpener, if possible eco-sustainable.

    Please note 

    1°) The printed textbook for DNL created by the Mathematics department will be provided at the beginning of the year.  

    2°) The French-language digital textbook will be available on pronote; the printed version will be available in class.

French

  • A4 (4 rings) ring binder (soft cover, lighter, recommended) and 8 dividers

  • Single and double squared paper

  • A small hole punch (optional)

  • an exercise book

  • Headphones (wired - not Bluetooth)

Technology

  • Binder (not thick)

  • 4 dividers

  • 15 sheets of small-square paper 

  • 15 sheets of large-square paper

  •  30 cm non-flexible ruler

  • Pencil + sharpener

  • Rubber

S.V.T.

  • A 160-page display folder, minimum 80 pockets

  • 50 single pages - large or small squares or lined

  • 5 white A4 pages 

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

Physics-Chemistry

  • A large 24x32cm notebook (at least 96 pages)

  • Highlighters (at least two)

  • Glue

English

Spanish 

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • Notebook protector or plastic cover

German

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • Activity book 2nd year

  • revision book 5e

Mandarin

  • One large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • A writing book

  • An activity book

Art

  • A4 Sketchbook min 140 gsm cartridge paper (no ring bind or tear away pads)

  • 2x HB, 1x 2B and 1x 6B pencils

  • 0.5 mm black fineliner

  • Coloured pencils

  • Set of watercolors (for home use)

Music

1 manuscript book (A5)

A fully stocked pencil case – eco-friendly if possible:

4 colored pen or 4 pens (1 blue, 1 red, 1 green, 1 black) or 1 ink erasable pen

1 pencil

1 rubber eraser

1 pen sharpener

1 ruler

1 glue

1 scissors

1 highlighter pen

6 colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown)

1 eraser and/or 1 correction pen

1 set of earphones/earbuds/headphones (no Airpods)

History-Geography

  • One pair of headphones with jack plug (no airpods/bluetooth) to share with other subjects

  • A4 file (4 rings) and 6 dividers

  • Single and double large-square pages

  • Full pencil case and coloured pencils

  • A display folder

  • A4 notebook

Mathematics

  • 22 large-format notebooks (24x32) with plastic covers or notebook protectors, 96 pages. We strongly advise you to keep these notebooks for 3e and preparation for the DNB.

  • 1 complete good quality geometry kit: ruler, square, protractor, Maped compass with stop system, see link

  • #1 Casio Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio New Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio Fx 92 special secondary school calculator (this model only) , see link

  • 1 complete pencil case, shared with other subjects, with pencil, rubber, glue, erasable ink pens or fountain pens, coloured pens, rubber or white-out, pencil sharpener, if possible eco-sustainable.

French

  • A4 (4 rings) ring binder (soft cover, lighter, recommended) and 8 dividers

  • Single and double squared paper

  • A small hole punch (optional)

  • an exercise book

  • Headphones (wired - not Bluetooth)

Latin

  • A document folder (or several lighter ones) with plastic pockets to hold around a hundred documents.

Technology

  • Binder (not thick)

  • 4 dividers

  • 15 sheets of small or large square paper 

  • Highlighters (at least 2)

S.V.T.

  • A 160-page display folder, minimum 80 pockets

  • 50 single pages - large or small squares or lined

  • 5 white A4 pages 

  • 10 double pages

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

Physics-Chemistry

  • A 160-page display folder, minimum 80 pockets

  • 50 single pages - large or small squares or lined

  • 5 white A4 pages 

  • 10 double pages

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

English

Spanish 

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • Notebook protector or plastic cover

German 

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • Activity book 3rd year

  • revision book 4è

Mandarin

  • One large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • A writing book

  • An activity book

Art

  • A4 Sketchbook min 140 gsm cartridge paper (no ring bind or tear away pads)

  • 2x HB, 1x 2B and 1x 6B pencils

  • 0.5 mm black fineliner

  • Coloured pencils

  • Set of watercolors (for home use)

Music

1 manuscript book (A5)


A fully stocked pencil case – eco-friendly if possible:

4 colored pen or 4 pens (1 blue, 1 red, 1 green, 1 black) or 1 ink erasable pen

1 pencil

1 rubber eraser

1 pen sharpener

1 ruler

1 glue

1 scissors

1 highlighter pen

6 colored pencils (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, brown)

1 eraser and/or 1 correction pen

1 set of earphones/earbuds/headphones (no Airpods)

History-Geography (whole class and curriculum)

  • One pair of headphones with jack plug (no airpods/bluetooth) to be shared with other subjects

  • A4 file (4 rings) and 6 dividers

  • Large-square single and double sheets

  • Complete pencil case and coloured pencils

History-Geography (International Option)

  • A portfolio

  • A4 notebook

Mathematics

  • 2 large-format notebooks 24x32 with plastic cover or notebook protector, 96 pages

If the Year 9 exercise books have not been completed, it is advisable to reuse them.

  • 1 complete good quality geometry kit: ruler, square, protractor, Maped compass with stop system, see link

  • #1 Casio Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio New Fx 92 secondary school calculator or Casio Fx 92 special secondary school calculator (this model only) , see link

  • 1 complete pencil case, shared with other subjects, with pencil, rubber, glue, erasable ink pens or fountain pens, coloured pens, rubber or white-out, pencil sharpener, if possible eco-sustainable.

French

  • A4 (4 rings) ring binder and 8 dividers

  • Single and double squared paper

  • A small hole punch (optional)

  • an exercise book

  • Headphones (wired - not Bluetooth)

Latin

  • A document folder (or several lighter ones) with plastic pockets to hold around a hundred documents.

Technology

  • Binder (not thick)

  • 4 dividers

  • 15 sheets of small or large square paper 

  • Highlighters (at least 2)

S.V.T.

  • A 160-page display folder, minimum 80 pockets

  • 50 single pages - large or small squares or lined

  • 5 white A4 pages 

  • 10 double pages

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

Physics-Chemistry

  • A 160-page display folder, minimum 80 pockets

  • 50 single pages - large or small squares or lined

  • 5 white A4 pages 

  • 10 double pages

  • A pair of headphones (no airpods/bluetooth)

English

Spanish

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • Notebook protector or plastic cover

German

  • Large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • Activity book 4th year

  • revision book 3e

Mandarin

  • One large format notebook (24*32 cm) 96 pages

  • A notebook protector or plastic cover

  • A writing book

  • An activity book

Art

  • A4 Sketchbook min 140 gsm cartridge paper (no ring bind or tear away pads)

  • 2x HB, 1x 2B and 1x 6B pencils

  • 0.5 mm black fineliner

  • Coloured pencils

  • Set of watercolors (for home use)

Music

1 manuscript book (A5)


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).