7. Primary School in France - Ecole Primaire/Elementaire

1. 7.1. Structure
   7.2. Enrolment
   7.3. Curriculum
   7.4. Assessment

7.4. Assessment and Le Redoublement in French Primary Schools

There is both continuous and periodic assessment, although there is no certification process.

Parents receive a report three times a year on the child’s progress.

Pupils may be required to repeat a year if it is felt they would benefit from doing so, notably if, in their final year at primary school, the school does not consider that the child is ready to move up to collège.

The process of repeating a year is called le redoublement.

There is a lot of debate in France about the efficacy of le redoublement, with many who doubt it makes any difference to attainment, and who consider it inequitable.

In the same manner that children can be asked to repeat a year, they can also be moved up to a higher class if their ability and results justify it, and if the school council and parents consider the child would benefit from it.

Teaching in schools may be organised according to age or level although, in general, classes are mixed ability.

There is a network of specialist teaching professionals who are able to offer specialist teaching to pupils who present particular difficulties.

Support for those with difficulties (both physical and intellectual) was further improved during 2005 when the government introduced a range of important reforms to grant greater equality of opportunity to all pupils.

These proposals included the requirement for schools to make specific provision for assistance to pupils whose first language is not French.

Conversely, the proposals also require that schools should make specific provision for those showing exceptional ability.

These proposals are part of a strong government drive to try and give greater individual attention to pupils, although it is unclear how this will be achieved with continuing pressure on the curriculum, and only limited new resources being made available.