3. Structure of French School Education

1. 3.1. School Structure
   3.2. Class Structure
   3.3. Key Stages of Education

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3.2. Class Structure of French Schools

The class structure of the system by age is shown on the following table.

One of the notable features is the descending numerical sequence of the secondary school years, whereas UK residents, in particular, will be familiar with an ascending scale.


Table: Class Structure

Age	School	Class/Form
17-18	Lycée	Terminale (T)
16-17		Première (1ère)
15-16		Seconde (2nde)
14-15	Collège	Troisième (3e)
13-14		Quatrième (4e )
12-13		Cinquième (5e)
11-12		Sixième (6e)
10-11	Ecole Primaire	Cours Moyen 1 (CM1)
9-10		Cours Moyen 2 (CM2)
8-9		Cours Elémentaire 2 (CE2)
7-8		Cours Elémentaire 1 (CE1)
6-7		Préparatoire (CP)
5-6	Ecole Maternelle	Grande Section
4-5		Moyenne Section
3-4		Petite Section

Those years at nursery and primary school are referred to as Enseignement du premier degré, whilst the secondary school years are referred to as Enseignement du second degré.

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Next: Key Stages of Education

Back: School Structure