PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
Primary Admissions for 2026/27 are currently open until Monday, March 9th.
**Our 2026/27 Primary Information Webinar was held on
November 24th, 2025. Please contact us should you wish to receive the recording.**
We still have a few spots available in our current Wednesday programme,
contact Admissions for more information.
Primary Programmes (MS-GS-CP-CE1-CE2-CM1-CM2)
Our section proposes three options for English-speaking, primary-aged children. All three programme require the same level of English, the difference being the number of hours offered, and the admissibility of the child (based on his/her French academic dossier) or the family’s home address.
This program offers the unparalleled advantage of the British Section curriculum integrated into the French public primary system in the Western suburbs of Paris. We provide a full-time, bilingual education experience for students aged 5 to 10 (GS, CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, and CM2).
Admission Requirements: Academic Excellence & Bilingual Proficiency
This highly sought-after program is designed for academically strong students and relocating international families. To be considered for admission, pupils must demonstrate:
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Strong Academic Dossier: Evidence of excellent performance and motivation.
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High Bilingual Proficiency: The ability to fluently speak, read, and write French and English at an age-appropriate level. For children coming from abroad with some French, admission can still be considered at Primary Jules Verne.
Integrated Primary Schools in La Celle Saint-Cloud and Noisy-le-Roi, in les Yvelines
Our Integrated Programme is held full-time at two French state schools in the Paris Ouest area:
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Pasteur Primary School in la Celle Saint-Cloud
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Jules Verne Primary School in Noisy-le-Roi (Integrated classes offered since September 2025 for CE1/CE2 and CM1/CM2).
The British Section Curriculum Schedule
Students follow their core French national curriculum while receiving enhanced instruction from our British Section teachers.
| Subject Area | Weekly Hours | Details |
| English Language Arts | 3 hours | Focus on reading, writing, and comprehension according to the British curriculum standard. |
| Science & Humanities | 3 hours | Includes Science and Geography, or age-equivalent subjects (e.g., Découverte du Monde) |
| Schedule Note | N/A | Section Internationale lessons take place across two half-days per week. Pupils have no lessons (French or English) on Wednesday mornings. |
Catchment Area and Geographical Priority
The allocation of places for this Integrated Programme (Section Britannique) is strictly governed by the French Education Board and the local townhalls.
1. Priority Enrollment
Families are strongly encouraged to reside within the specific catchment areas of Pasteur Primary School or Jules Verne Primary School.
2. Living outside the catchment areas
For families living outside La Celle-Saint-Cloud or Noisy-le-Roi, formal dérogations (dispensations) may be requested. These requests are limited in number, awarded based on the pupil’s academic merit, and are wholly dependent on the final decision of the French Education Board and space availability in the Primary School.
The External Programme provides flexibility for families across Yvelines (78) seeking the academic rigor of the British Section without requiring full-time enrollment in our integrated schools. This option is ideal for pupils who attend their local state primary school but wish to join the Grand Chêne Section Internationale on a part-time basis.
Program Availability and Families
This flexible bilingual education pathway is established for families who:
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Live outside the core catchment area for Pasteur or Jules Verne Primary Schools.
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Face difficulties with the daily commute to La Celle Saint-Cloud or Noisy-le-Roi.
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Families who wish for their child to go to their local school, to make local friends and attend our programme two half days a week.
| School Level | Age Range | Available at Pasteur Primary | Available at Jules Verne Primary |
| GS to CP only | 5–6 years | Yes | No |
| CE1 and CM2 | 7–10 years | Yes | Yes |
The British Section Curriculum Schedule
External pupils join the Integrated Programme classes for two half-days per week to ensure continuity and immersion with the British curriculum.
| Subject Area | Weekly Hours | Details |
| English Language Arts | 3 hours | Focused instruction according to UK national standards. |
| Science & Humanities | 3 hours | Includes Science and Geography, or age-equivalent subjects (Découvert du Monde). |
| Schedule Note | N/A | Pupils must attend Pasteur or Jules Verne twice a week. From CP to CM2, External pupils, like Integrated pupils, will have NO lessons (French or English) on Wednesday mornings. |
Key Logistics and Geographical Requirements
Due to the nature of this external arrangement with the French education system, specific geographical and logistical requirements apply:
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Geographical Requirement: External places are offered only to children living in the Yvelines (78) department.
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Schooling Requirement: The child must be enrolled in a French public (state) primary school or sous-contrat school in Yvelines.
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Logistical Note: This programme requires the commitment of an adult to bring the child twice weekly to either La Celle Saint-Cloud or Noisy-le-Roi for their British Section lessons.
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Parental Obligation: Parents must ensure close contact with their child’s French primary teacher to coordinate and make up any mandatory French lessons missed during their time at GrandChêne.
The GrandChêne Wednesday English Programme offers, any family living in the Western suburbs of Paris, a flexible, part-time solution for maintaining high-level English language skills, without impacting regular French schooling.
This program is available for children from Moyenne Section (4 years old) through CM2 (10 years old).
Programme Structure and Ideal Candidates
This unique format appeals primarily to families who:
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Prioritise Local Schooling: Whose children attend their local primary school and seek dedicated, supplementary British curriculum instruction.
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Offer Home Support: Families who can provide solid English reinforcement at home to complement the weekly lessons.
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Seek Bilingual Maintenance: Students who need to maintain their strong level of English proficiency while concentrating on building a solid academic dossier in French.
This program is also an excellent transition solution for children returning from abroad, particularly those who have attended international or independent schools with limited French instruction. By maintaining their bilingual level of English, pupils can focus on improving their French subjects in preparation for applying to the Integrated Programme or the demands of Collège (Middle School) later on.
Lesson Logistics and Location
The programme is strategically scheduled for ultimate convenience, requiring just one weekly trip to our facilities:
| Detail | Description |
| Location | Pasteur Primary School, La Celle Saint-Cloud |
| Schedule | Wednesday mornings |
| Time | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (3 hours of instruction) |
| Families concerned | Families commuting once a week from surrounding towns and villages across Paris Ouest. |
We can still accept mid-year entries for the Primary Wednesday Programme, dependant on the level.
All testing will be individual or distance testing at a cost of 110 € (75 € for MS, GS and CP).
Not all levels have spaces so please contact us BEFORE submitting an application as the application fees are non-refundable.
TESTING DATES FOR ENTRY IN SEPTEMBER 2026
All Primary Levels
The official Entrance test will take place on Wednesday 18th March 2026 (morning).
Deadline to submit applications is Monday 9th March 2026.
Distance testing will take place before or after the official testing date.
Please remember you do need to supply the school report for the 1st trimester/semester for the current school year if applying for the Primary Integrated Programme (PIP), so please only submit a complete dossier.
Click here to see what you will need to hand in with your Primary application.
Click here to download the information brochure “Primary Programmes 2026-27”
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED VIA OUR ONLINE APPLICATIONS FORM.
NO PAPER DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE SENT.
Unclear about the school levels in the French education system? Click here for a comparison of the school levels in the French, British and American systems.