Hi Vicki I am new to this forum. I have been in France since September and enrolled my son (13) in a brand new local college (13km away). It is a state school. He had a taste earlier in the year of the private sector too. Coming from a first class private school in Scotland, the whole thing has been an utter shock to the system. Much depends on how much French your child has and how much help the school is able to give her. The French system is so rigid that it takes a seriously exceptional head teacher to help. In France, the Headteacher has no choice at all in the staff - the Inspection Academique is responsible for this. Teachers are not committed in the same way as at home - they are civil servants - and have very powerful unions. When their teaching day is over - they go home. This means that in a full school week if a teacher has only eg 19 hours in the timetable - they go home and what is more they very often then give private tuition in the time which is already beeing paid for by the State! It is rare that any homework is corrected by the teacher. Work is gone over in class. Children are failing at school, I believe because of the system. It is designed to strip out the deadwood as fast as possible thus reducing the numbers as of the age 14. These 'failing' children are then sent off to specialist schools to learn trades. Teaching here is about delivering a lesson. Thankyou and goodbye. The emphasis is on the pupil to learn (learn by heart that is). Understanding is not part of the equation. This is not their remit. At the beginning of each year, each teacher dictates a contract for each pupil to sign - so - relieving them of any responsibility for the child. At home the teacher is 'in loco parentis' - not here. 45% of the French leaving the system are illiterate I was told by the SVT teacher (Science Vie et Terre) after Week One, that my child would learn nothing in her class because 'c'est la subtilite de la langue francaise qui compte'!!!! Try telling that to the World's scientists. This I should have seen as a warning as it outlined the very narrow and insular French mentality. . Private schools which are 'sous contrat' are inexpensive as the teachers' salaries are paid by the State. As at home, the private schools are keen to be producing good results. They are therefore somewhat selective. If you listen to other parents, you will eventually realise that many choose these private schools are there are far many less North African pupils. France is an incredibly racist country which is why there is so much unrest. I have told you all this - believe me- not to put you off - but to explain what you are up against. I could have done with understanding the system before but have learned the hard way and my child has suffered consequently. Nice new school but no teacher of Francais Langue Etranger to help him. Mostly ignored - he is shoved up to the back corner of the class on his own - he is quiet and reserved but now quite dispirited. Vicki, you are in an area, which from looking at the website of Ac-Bordeaux on which your school depends, it could be that there is much more backup as there are far more younger British with families moving into the area. Here the influx is mainly retirees. We had a house in the Tarn et Garonne before - beautiful area - well done and enjoy. I know of some good restaurants. The other children, I have to tell you, are just lovely and very helpful indeed. Work with this headmistress. She already sounds enthusiastic - great. (In our case, this was a new school with 450 pupils no-one knew so having a foreign child just added to their burden) Having the school in the village is great - truly - as it means that your wee girl will be able to see her friends after school. (This we miss as we are just that bit far away from everyone. ) Being a girl, I think the transition will be easier in any case. All the very best. Caroline