FAQ's

1. Does my child have to be bilingual to be accepted into BIS?

Your child does not have to be bilingual. However, we do have bilingual children at the school. Our small class sizes, bilingual teachers and our teaching methods allow your child to progress in all curricular areas in their chosen First language (English or French) and in their Second language (English or French). Most of our pupils only speak their mother tongue when they begin at BIS.

2. Is the French programme at BIS the same as the French National Education programme?

The programme of the core subjects (French and Mathematics) is covered in whole. For all other subjects the BIS curriculum is inspired by the British and French national curriculums, as well as other international sources.

3. How long does it take for a child to become bilingual?

Each child is different and progresses at his or her own rhythm and so it is not easy to give a specific amount of time required to become bilingual. 

First of all, children will have to become familiar with hearing a new language, and then to understand what is being said in everyday situations with a progressive understanding of instructions, activities and stories in the school environment.

At the same time, they begin to build up a vocabulary whereby they are able to answer short questions and make simple sentences. Little by little they are able to construct longer sentences to recount activities and retell stories.

They begin to write in their Second Language much later, in Primary, after the age of 7/8 when their 1st language has been mastered.

It is frequent that children do not speak their 2nd Language at home, especially if the language is not spoken by the parents, and this is normal; therefore it is sometimes difficult for parents to measure their child's progress, in the first years.

Any contact with the 2nd Language outside of school is actively encouraged, e.g. children's programmes (television or DVD), cartoons, stories and games and also play-times with friends who speak the language.

4. Who will be teaching my child?

All pupils in Early Learning and Primary have two teachers – an Anglophone and a Francophone. These are your child’s main teachers. In addition, your child is taught by specialist teachers for Music, Spanish and Sport. The whole teaching team work together, in conjunction with the parents, to ensure that each child is making progress across the curriculum. 

5. What will my child’s timetable be?

The pupils in Early Learning have a 4 day week (excluding Wednesday). The Primary pupils have school on Wednesday mornings also. The school day is from 09.00 – 16.00. 

6. What about pupils whose mother-tongue is neither French nor English?

It is most important that these pupils continue to speak and progress in their mother-tongue at home with their family. It is a sound base for learning a second, and later, a third language.

At BIS, each child has a 1st language (French or English) that is chosen by the parents in consultation with the teachers. 

7. What equipment do we need to buy?

All pupils will need a small school bag, and a set of spare clothes (in case of toilet accidents...).

8.  Can my child take a nap in the afternoon?

Foundation year pupils nap after lunch. Reception and Year 1 pupils no longer nap, but can benefit from quiet time if teachers feel they are very tired. 

9. Is there an after school care service?

Yes. This service is available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays until 18.15, and also in the morning between 08.25 and 08.45. 

10.  Can my child integrate easily into another school if we must leave ?

One of our missions at BIS is to ensure that all pupils (French or other) are able to progress academically whatever stage they are at, and this includes preparation and passage into another school or system if the child moves on.  As official curricula are respected within each learning cycle, and the school reports are very detailed, pupils from BIS can easily enroll at other schools, public or private, in France or abroad. 

1. Does my child have to be bilingual to be admitted?

No. Although some pupils may be bilingual to some extent, or come from a bilingual or bi-national family. The teaching methods (small groups, differentiated activities, experienced bilingual teachers, etc.) enable each pupil to progress both in the subjects taught and in their first and second languages (English or French). 

2. What curriculum do you follow?

The national programme (French Education Nationale or British National Curriculum) of the core subjects (1st Language and Mathematics) is covered in whole. For all other subjects the BIS curriculum is inspired by the British and French national curriculums, as well as other international sources.

BIS has been under contract with the French 'Education Nationale' in the Primary section since 2010.

3. Which subjects are taught in French and which in English?

The balance between the two languages is always respected, with 50% of teaching time for each. Some subjects are taught in English (e.g ICT), some in French (e.g Art), and others are taught bilingually (e.g History & Geography, Maths).

4. How long does it take for a child to become bilingual?

Each child develops differently and at a different pace, which makes it difficult to put a figure on the number of years it will take to become bilingual. However, two years is a minimum before being able to communicate with a degree of autonomy in a 2nd language. 

5. What about children whose mother tongue is neither French nor English?

It is essential that these children continue to progress in their mother tongue within their family. This is an invaluable support for learning a 2nd and 3rd language. Non-French and non-English speakers will be provided with some extra language support on Wednesdays.

6. Who will be my child's teacher(s)?

All pupils in Early Learning and Primary have two teachers – an Anglophone and a Francophone. These are your child’s main teachers. In addition, your child is taught by specialist teachers for Music, Spanish and Sport. The whole teaching team work together, in conjunction with the parents, to ensure that each child is making progress across the curriculum.    

7. Is there after-school care?

Yes. This service is available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays until 18.15, and also in the morning between 08.25 and 08.45. On Wednesdays, the pupils can stay until 12h30. 

8. What will my child's timetable be?

BIS organises the Primary Section classes over 4 and a half days each week. Our school day is from 9am to 4pm, and from 9am to 12pm on Wednesdays. In addition, parents can register their children in to After School Clubs, or our After School Care service. 

9. Is there a school uniform? 

There is no compulsory dress code at BIS. We do, however, recommend clothes that are easy to wear and that allow for play during breaks. The only special clothing required is sportswear for the days when the pupils play sports.

10. Do we have to buy books or special equipment?

All supplies, textbooks, materials and resources are provided by the school, with the exception of the pencil case and its contents and the homework diary. 

11. Will my child be able to integrate easily into another school if we have to leave?

One of our missions at BIS is to ensure that all pupils (French or other) are able to progress academically whatever stage they are at, and this includes preparation and passage into another school or system if the child moves on.  As official curricula are respected within each learning cycle, and the school reports are very detailed, pupils from BIS can easily enroll at other schools, public or private, in France or abroad. 

1. What does it mean if a subject is taught in French/English? 

This means that all instruction will be given in that language. However, teachers provide individualised differentiation to ensure that all students can follow the lessons.

2. Do I need to be able to speak French to join BIS? 

No. Students are tested at the start of the year and then placed in the group according to their ability ranging from complete beginners to native French speakers.

3. Do I need to be able to speak English to join BIS?    (level IGCSE / A Levels ?)

In Middle School - No. As with the French, students are tested at the start of the year. These tests will determine whether or not students will need extra support in English as a second language or whether they can integrate into normal lessons immediately.

Applicants for IGCSE and International A Level courses that lead to examinations must have sufficient command of English in order to benefit from the programme of study. However, individual support classes may be organised if necessary (at extra cost).

To follow the full range of IGCSE subjects, students must have a minimum level of English of “B1” from Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students with a lower level of English will require extra support lessons at cost and / or may be accepted on the condition that they may need longer than the two year programme to reach the required level.

4. What if I do not speak English or French?

International students with neither French nor English as their first language are welcomed to the school. Students will be evaluated on entry and if it is deemed necessary, then extra support (at a cost) will be provided until students are able to integrate fully into normal lessons.

5. How big are the classes? 

Class sizes in Secondary do not exceed 16 students per class. However, at A-Level, smaller seminar style classes are usually considerably smaller. This allows for individual support and a high level of differentiation.

6. How much sport is taught at BIS?

Students have 3 hours of sport per week up to the end of IGCSE then 1.5 hours per week at A-Level.  They are also encouraged and helped to join local sports clubs and associations in Bordeaux.

7. I have been educated in a variety of countries/systems – how do I know which class to apply for at BIS?

Students are usually placed into classes according to age but due to the wide range of educational systems students experience prior to coming to BIS, this is not always appropriate. Level of entry will be assessed during the initial interview and after having read previous school reports. Further evaluation takes place at the start of the year. A review is carried out in October to ensure that students at the right level (see table "Equivalence of different educational systems").

8. Are International Advanced Level exams difficult?

International Advanced Levels are challenging and require a high level of autonomy and motivation.  It is essential that students have the ability to achieve a minimum of a grade B (or equivalent) at IGCSE Level in order to cope with the level required for advanced subjects.

9. Do I have to take my IGCSE exams at age 16?

IGCSE exams are taken by students typically in the 14-16 year age group, but can be taken at any age.

10. Can I repeat any exams I don’t pass first time?

Yes. The Cambridge International Exam Board organises two exam sittings – one in June and one in November. If students do not do as well as expected, they may resit their exams in November for most subjects (this is more difficult in subjects with a literary element as the books studied tend to change from one exam session to another).

With some A Levels, if students do not succeed in the AS exams in June or in November, they can resit their AS exams the following June at the same time as their A2 exams.

11. Can I take exams early if I am considered able in a subject?

Yes. Most IGCSE and Advanced Level exams are two year courses and it is highly recommended that students complete the two year course before entering the exam. However, in exceptional circumstances, able and motivated students may be able to sit their exams early.  Many students at BIS already have a high level of French and often take their IGCSE French exam a year early.

12. Where is Bordeaux International School?

Bordeaux International School is conveniently situated in the city centre of Bordeaux, in South West France.   Bordeaux is accessible by train from Paris in two hours, and the school is about 30 minutes from Merignac International airport. Public transport links make it easy to access the school from the Bordeaux Metropolitan area. The school is also situated in a safe residential area with close proximity to local sporting facilities and public parks.

13. Do I have to give notice to leave?

For any early departure from the school, a full term's notice is required (see details in the contract signed upon enrolment). This period is essential to prepare for a satisfactory transition to another school system, whether French or foreign, or to another school. Also, as each class has only a limited number of students, it is important that the school is informed as early as February so that any places available can be allocated to new families on the waiting list.

14.  Can students join during the school year ?

Yes. If places are available and after review of required documentation and an interview with the Section Head (normal admissions procedure) places can be offered. There is no deadline for applications and students can join the school at any time of the year. For integration purposes, the ideal time is at the start of the year, or if this is not possible at the start of a term. 

15.  Can students join just for one or two terms ?

This is possible depending on the class and availability of places and must be discussed with the Section Head.

16.  Which universities do A Level students go to ?

Our students are accepted to a wide range of universities from all over the world. Some of the most popular destinations include France, the UK, the Netherlands, USA and Canada. A full list of universities is available on the Alumni page of our website.

BARCELONA (Spain) - Business Management

BORDEAUX (France) – History

BRISTOL (UK) – Physics

LONDON SCHOOL of ECONOMICS (UK) - Economics & Politics

MADRID - San Pablo CEU (Spain) - Law & International Relations

McGILL (Canada) – Mathematics

PARIS - A.I.M (France) - Business & Management

PARIS - HEC

PRAGUE (Czech Republic) – Medicine

ROTTERDAM - Erasmus School of Economics

STANFORD (USA) – Mathematics

WARWICK (UK) – Mathematics

17.  Where can I see the exam results for IGCSE / A Level ?

The results are published on the Upper School page of our website.

18.  Where can I find a typical timetable for the class I am applying for ?

A typical timetable for each class can be provided upon request.

19.  Is there a school uniform ?

At BIS, we do not require our students to wear a uniform. However, many students and staff opt to buy BIS merchandise, sold by our active PTA (Parent-Teacher Association). 

20.  Do we have to buy books or special equipment ?

An equipment list is sent to parents before the start of the year, which is also available upon request. The majority of textbooks are provided by the school.