grahamh

"After all I do know how french kids do in their system." Should that not read: "I know how my (French) kids did in that part of their system they were exposed to" with all of the specific circumstances that applies thereto. Maybe....

We are moving to France in July.  My wife (French) is pregnant, due in October. Does anyone have any experience of this scenario? Should we obtain an E106 pronto, or is pregnancy outwith the usual procedures? Thanks in advance for any assistance......

I just don't really understand why you people have to be so blooming negative about the education system.  Of course it has failings - is the fact that English is taught as a "foreign" language really one of them - or the root cause of a few issues perhaps. Why on earth you lot left blighty until your kids were 25 I don't know.... And Miki  - don't affirm other people's views so readilly - it makes me queasy.  (you're the spit of that old West Ham striker btw...)  

Apologies if I sound patronising. What education system in the World does not require improvement? And I have seen no rose-tinted views on this board at all.  Nothing but negative sentiment in fact.  Yours is just the latest in a line of doom-laden sentiment posted to frighten the living poo out of already concerned parents.  Whether or not it is based on your own or 250 collegues experience it is still just that and should be framed accordingly.  there is nothing so patronising as assuming that your audience can and should benefit benefit from your highly charged and personal opinion notwithstanding context. My experience I see no need to justify.  I do not desire a weeing-contest.  

I think you are right, because of and inspite of your limited experience, you do know only a little of the system.  This absolutely DOES NOT qualify you to generalise in the terms that you do.  It qualifies you merely to share your own bad experience.  this is the only point I make.  And I do not wish to question your right to comment.  Perspective is the key in emotive debates such as education,  where those less 'experienced' than yourself may take your comments without the required pinch of salt and be unduly concerned. A little perspective please.

"The french system makes no allowances for not speaking the langauge"  - and what other system would? "None of his school reports will consider he is not French" - and, in France, why should they? "The french system is elitist, centralised, inflexible,prescriptive and dehumanising"  - AKA it attempts to apply an albeit imperfect education system across the board to the (ideally) benefit of all.  "and since teachers are appointed centrally with no headmaster or governor say, there is a clone type mentality with little variation from school to school"  - again, an attempt to smooth out the wrinkles that a regional system perpetuates.  Educate your six year-old in the state system in Lewisham - you'll suss out what they're trying to do in France I think..... I'm not defending or attacking any one system, but you must stop generalising on the basis of your own bad experiences or limited opinion.  It may get a reaction, or derive you satisfaction but I'm it worries people immensely without proper cause. Share your mistakes by all means, and no one would turn down the benefit of experience but sweeping statements in such areas are rarely well-considered, and do not engender reasoned debate, merely escalating tales of doom and horror. Sorry if I quoted you incorrectly.   Graham

I suspect I lack the qualifications to question the motives of any of the 'well-seasoned' posters on this or any other such board, but I'll do it anyway. I do wonder as to the purpose of the constant scaremongering, tales of woe and doom-laden warnings that abound.  Particularly in respect of the French education system.  A dose of realism never did anyone any harm, particularly those sporting rose-tinted spectacles, but there are readers on this site who, it appears to me, are prone to worry about these things.  To re-inforce their worries seems a little cruel to me.  But then, I guess I'm a bit soft. Cue a few dozen tales of hideous bullying....

Hello, We're struggling with one of those hideous grey 'snail' contraptions that sit on top of tourists' cars to enable the transit of completely unnecessary items.  Are they allowed on hoverspeed and speedferries etc?  What happens if we are slightly over the height limit when we embark?  Must we jettison?  Would be most grateful for any pointers..... Graham

Hello, We're struggling with one of those hideous grey 'snail' contraptions that sit on top of tourists' cars to enable the transit of completely unneccessary items.  Are they allowed on hoverspeed and speedferries etc?  What happens if we are slightly over the height limit when we empark?  Must we jettison?  Would be most grateful for any pointers..... Graham