My daughter has just moved to Torcy(77) and has been told by the local school that my grandaughter who is 9 years will have to go to a school that caters for foriegn children that cannot speak French fluently.This school is about 20 mins away.Does anyone have any knowledge of this school through their children going there.

Not of one in Torcy no, but she would be lucky to hvae such a facility that close.

Does one plunge right in an just put the kids in the local school - or is it best to give them a transition phase?

In my opinion it depends a great deal on the child, if they are outgoing and well-adjusted with no learning difficulties, immersion in both the culture and the language that being in the local school brings can be invaluable, especially as having friends "to hand" in the village can help the child to adapt; but this decision is always very personal.

Most NB - the local school will be obliged to take your grand daughter; get your daughter to visit both or at least to talk to the heads of both as a start. Get as much info as possible and then let her make her own decision regarding what suits her situation and the child the best.

Good luck.

I think you misunderstand.My grandaughter has already been going to a French school in the Creuse because they lived with us.My daughter has now got married and moved to Torcy.The local school has said there is a local school that my grandaughter will have to go to because she cannot speak French fluent enough to go to them.They say it is a schoo; all foriegn children go to until they can speak French fluently.It is not a private school .

My daughter says the school is in Noisiel le Grande

Close to Torcy, there's Noisiel and Noisy le Grand. At Noisy le Grand, there's gonna be an intl college and lycee, but thats in 4/5 years time. There's currently a semi private school (so not expensive)from maternelle upto the Bac; but it's not special 'foreign persons'. They do do english tho' from grand section maternelle, which is a good thing!

i've looked at the noisiel website as don't know that town; can't see anything there; so really don't know where they're trying to send your grandaughter.

They should just accept her in her local school, perhaps one year below her age to give her chance to 'catch-up' on the french??

Thing is what they should do and what their willing to do is two different things .In her old school in France she was a year ahead of her age.

As far as I know no French government school is allowed to turn down a child in their catchment area (except if they have been previously expelled from said establishment)

Previous advise stands - your daughter should talk to the heads of both schools and decide herself which school offers her daughter the best solution possible.

She should also not be afraid to approach the mayor if she is unhappy with what is being proposed.