Secondary school

Introduction

The teaching program in secondary continues to emphasize 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’ Handbook & School Rules

Please download the parents’ handbook (2024-2025) and the School Rules 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 program that seeks to develop students’ soft skills and enhance their CVs and university applications. Students learn how to work as a team, be committed 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 Le Goff) 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 October and final expedition in spring, both for 2 days / 1 night each.

Brevet results

iGCSE results

Although CFBL students do not take iGCSEs at CFBL (since they leave at the end of Year 10), they are notoriously well prepared to take them and are among the highest achievers of their cohort. Below are results of CFBL students who went on to take iGCSEs at Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill.

2024

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.

School supplies

Below is a list of school supplies for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• 6ème / Year 7

• 5ème / Year 8

• 4ème / Year 9

• 3ème / Year 10

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.

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).