FAQs

What is an International Section?

An International Section (SI) is an optional curriculum within the French state-school system, which offers additional tuition in a particular language, in addition to the regular state curriculum.

A British International section (SIB) offers a free bilingual education to pupils with 6-8 hours of English language and literature per week and one-and-a-half hours of history and geography in English.

Within Paris, there are British International Sections at five schools:
Camille Sée in the 15th arrondissement (south west), Montaigne in the 6th arrondissement (central), Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement (north east), Balzac in the 17th arrondissement (north west) and Maurice Ravel in the 20th arrondissement (east).

Voltaire’s International Section opened in 2021 with a half-sized class admitted to the 6ème (year 7 / grade 6). Each subsequent year has seen a full class admitted in 6ème.

You can find more information on the official government websites here and here.

What are the criteria for getting into an SIB?

To be accepted into a British International Section in the Paris rectorate, a student must pass a written and oral test, designed to determine whether they are capable of following grade-level instruction in English.

As the International Section program is educationally demanding, and most pupils must travel some distance to school every day, teachers also review school reports and geographical location to determine whether they are likely to be capable of managing the additional workload of the International Section.

Teachers look to assess which pupils they believe will be successful – and happy – in the SIB. Unfortunately, not all applicants will be retained, whether for academic, linguistic or other reasons.

What is the typical profile of an SIB student?

Pupils must be fully bilingual and capable of following a demanding academic programme comprising grade-level language study in both French and English. Successful students tend to be both bilingual and bicultural, often with at least one parent who is fluent in English. The programme is also open to French pupils and other nationalities who have lived in an English-speaking country, or have previously been enrolled in a bilingual programme.

A student can attend an International Section for all, or part, of middle school (collège) to consolidate their bilingualism, and then go on to a regular lycée and take any French baccalauréat (général, technologique, or professionnel). There are also SIB at Lycée level, though not yet at Voltaire.

Is there an entrance exam to an SIB?

Yes, a written test and an oral component. The written test typically includes an extract from a work of children’s literature, with reading comprehension questions and a short essay related to the extract. The oral part is an examination based on a text (given on the spot), such as a poem, a passage from a novel, or an article, followed by a ten-minute interview with the English teachers. Each test is adapted according to each age / year group.

The SIB teachers will take into consideration the child’s record from their current school, as well as assessing both their application file and attitude to evaluate their potential and motivation.

The pupil typically sits their entrance exam at the school listed as their first choice, but the Rectorate makes the final selection and decision.

Is the entrance test difficult?

The level of the one-hour entrance exam is aimed at children who already have a good knowledge of written and spoken English. If your child is used to a bilingual atmosphere and has reading comprehension skills, the test should not be a problem. Unfortunately, past exam papers are not available for distribution so sample questions cannot be shared. However, written papers usually require the student to read an extract of a classic children’s text (Roald Dahl, Judith Kerr, Michael Morpurgo, RJ Palacio) and answer comprehension questions. There might also be a creative writing element. For the oral test, the examiners (usually the school’s SIB teachers) might give the child an age-appropriate poem or text to read and then chat with them about books, activities and school.

How can I prepare my child for the test?

The best advice would be to encourage them to read independently in English, focusing on texts that are suitable for their age group. You can also prepare them by discussing topics with them in English and setting them simple comprehension questions on the books or texts they have read.

Which Parisian SIB will best suit my child?

It is worth doing a tour of the different schools that offer the SI option to help you determine travel, in addition to assessing the school and what it has to offer.

A good opportunity is during the Open Days (“Journée Portes Ouvertes”) organised by the school. You will be able to visit the school and meet the teachers and parents/students of the SIB.

The various Paris SIBs all offer the same program and assess the children on the same criteria. On average, the school day for an SI student is one hour longer than for their classmates. The additional school hours naturally also result in extra homework.

In choosing a specific SIB as your top choice, it is important to take into consideration the daily commute. Some school days can start as early as 8am (typically 8.20 am at Voltaire), and end as late as 5:45pm. Picking the school that is closest to your address is the most sensible choice for your child’s wellbeing. It’s also important to select a school that you and your child feel would be a good fit in terms of atmosphere: Voltaire is a friendly place, with a great sense of community among SIB students and parents. The kids agree that the cafeteria is also excellent!

The assignment to a particular SIB is based on the testing score of your child. The Rectorate does try take into account personal preference. Pupils who achieve the highest overall marks and live in proximity to the school tend to obtain their first choice.

What do you need for the application dossier?

On the Paris “Académie” website, you will need to upload:

1. The child’s most recent school results + reports for the current and previous years

If your child is in a school abroad, the academic records (current grades and reports) can be submitted in English; for other languages the Rectorate will need an official translation.

2. Photocopy of the ‘livret de famille’ or birth certificate

3. The custody certificate if you are divorced.

4. Two proofs of a Paris or Paris suburb address (tax, insurance etc).

Please note, if you are relocating and do not yet have a fixed address, it’s advisable to find a friend or relative who would be able to give you a letter attesting to temporary residence. Any work contract showing proof of your relocation to Paris would also be useful. All correspondence concerning the application from the Rectorate will be directed to this Paris address and not an overseas address. Once you have settled in France, this address can be updated.

5. Your school choices

As requested on the application form, you must indicate your first choice of school, but it is strongly recommended to provide your second and third choices. If your first choice is in high demand, your child may be allocated a place in one of the other Parisian schools which offer the same SI curriculum.

Assignment to one establishment rather than another is based on the child’s final test score. Pupils who achieve the highest overall marks should obtain their first choice.

6. Transport time and means from home to school.

This information is non-discriminatory: the recruitment in international sections is inter-academic. Children living in the suburbs can apply.

7. The “Déclaration de pratique linguistique” (The 2026 pdf can be downloaded here). You must complete the “Déclaration de pratique linguistique” form to inform the Rectorate about where and how your child has learnt English. This enables the Rectorate (and school) to get a more complete picture of your child’s linguistic studies and assess their level accordingly.

Are there other Parisian SIBs?

Yes, there are also SIBs at:

Why should I choose Voltaire?

If you live in North-Eastern Paris (11th, 19th, 20th Arrondissements) or surrounding area (Montreuil, Bagnolet, Pantin…) then Voltaire is the nearest Collège to offer an SIB.

Voltaire is one of Paris’ oldest secondary establishments and has a list of prestigious alumni ranging from Roland Barthès to singer Julie Zenati. It offers beautiful buildings and a wide range of amenities and activities, including a very popular AS (Association Sportive). The cafeteria is known for its great food, cooked on-site.

Voltaire’s SIB has a kind atmosphere, and students are well integrated with the rest of the school, with a dedicated field trip at the start of 6e. Voltaire also has a CHAM-CHAD class for students following music and dance curriculums, so there is a good mix of interests and backgrounds throughout each level.

The SIB teachers, Mrs Turner, Mrs Blaschke and Mrs Dubile are fantastic and organise numerous activities and trips for their students including: trips to London and Normandy, work with the Beauville Arts summer camp, where the kids learn to put on a musical (in English) with professional actors and directors, Halloween activities, with a disguised flashmob and decorating the whole school, theatre outings…. and much more.

ASIBRAVO, Voltaire’s SIB association, offers a network for students and parents, with social activities (picnics, film screenings…), merchandise and friendly assistance with any academic issues or questions from SIB parents.

Will my child have to travel alone?

Though many parents choose to accompany their children to Voltaire in the first few weeks, they rapidly become independent. With students coming from different areas of North-Eastern Paris, there is also a strong possibility that other members of the class will be travelling the same routes and so can arrange to do this together.

Will my child have to have a smartphone?

The use of phones is not permitted by law within the Collège. They must be kept in schoolbags or lockers and switched off during school hours. Many parents (and children) feel more secure about organization or transport knowing that they have a means of contact, but smartphones are by no means widespread, at least in 6e and 5e. Many parents prefer a basic “dumb phone” or no phone at all. In case of an emergency, the Collège can be reached by phone, and staff can be contacted by message through the dedicated app (your account will be created when your child starts 6e).
So do not feel you must get your child a smartphone, despite their pleas that they will be the only one without one! They won’t be 🙂