Debut for French school

Tuesday February 9, 2010

Bilingual primary education in Fulham has proved a huge hit with parents, with 70 children applying for 28 school places.

From September, the French government's school in Fulham's Clancarty Road - L'ecole Marie d'Orliac - opens its doors to local state pupils who, for the first time, will be taught in both English and French.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council proposed this groundbreaking partnership between the French and British state school systems in 2007.

Critics claimed the plans would be unworkable, but that assertion was disproved by admissions figures showing two children applying for every place.

The new intake will be only the second in Britain to be taught in both languages, following the opening of the Wix Primary School in Battersea in
2006. H&F cabinet member Sarah Gore said: "We were confident that this innovative bilingual offer would be popular with parents, but demand has exceeded all expectations.

"The response from parents has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive."

The innovative project is a joint venture between Holy Cross School, the Diocese of Westminster, H&F Council and L'ecole Marie d'Orliac.

Together they are providing free bilingual state school education for local children. The number of applications for a primary school place in the borough has risen by 84 from last year.

The council is already working closely with head teachers and governors of local schools to provide enough places.

An extra 90 places created last year in popular primary schools, including St John's in Walham Green, Old Oak in White City and Brackenbury in Hammersmith, are also expected to help with places.

The council's long-term plan is to expand schools and increase the number of children in reception classes each year.

Parents will find out whether their children have got a place on March 29.