Frequently Asked Questions

The network of French schools abroad consists of 552 schools accredited by the French Ministry of National Education.

This global network is managed by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), a public administrative institution created in 1990 under the supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For over 30 years, AEFE has been responsible for managing, supporting, and promoting the largest international network of schools, covering 138 countries and educating more than 370,000 students, including 122,000 French nationals.

A unique network distinguished by:

Excellence
AEFE schools boast a 98.9% average success rate in the Baccalauréat, with many achieving 100% pass rates, surpassing the results of French schools in France. Most AEFE graduates continue their studies at top universities and prestigious schools worldwide.

Cultural Exchange
These schools foster linguistic and cultural exchanges, integrating local and international students and offering high-quality language programs in a multicultural setting.
International Influence
With over 60% of students from host countries or other nationalities, the AEFE network promotes French language and culture, strengthening long-lasting ties between these students and France.

AEFE’s missions are the following :
● Ensure French nationals abroad receive a public education service.
● Strengthen cooperation between French and foreign education systems.
● Promote the French language and culture by welcoming international students.
● Support families with financial aid for tuition fees.
● Grant scholarships to French students enrolled in AEFE schools.

French Curriculum & Language Learning
The French curriculum is taught primarily by certified French teachers, seconded from the French Ministry of National Education. Languages play a key role, with a strong focus on multilingual education from preschool to high school.

AEFE schools emphasize active parental involvement through parent associations.

The supervision rate at the Lycée Français International Samuel Beckett is as follows:

– The tenured teaching staff (13 teachers in total, plus the principal) are trained to be able to teach any level from Petite Section (Preschool) up to CM2 (5th grade, ages 3 to 11), which gives them a comprehensive understanding of the goals, methods, and content of the three cycles of primary education.

– The preschool assistants (4) support the children and teachers in their assigned classrooms.

– The librarian assistant works with groups of students from PS to CM2 throughout the week.

– The English teachers (5) and the French as a Second Language teacher (1) work daily with many of our students, in collaboration with the class teacher.

– The supervisors (15 during lunch and 10 in the afternoon) organize and ensure the smooth running of lunch and after-school care.

– The administrative staff who welcome and sometimes care for children who get hurt while playing in the yard.

– Certain parents who may occasionally assist in supervising activities or outings…

The children must be at least 3 years old by August 31 of the school year. Additionally, they must be potty-trained (able to use the toilet independently and ask to go when needed).

To an untrained eye, preschool activities may seem like simple playtime. However, preschool is a fundamental stage in a child’s education. Its main mission is to make children want to go to school to learn, to develop and assert their personality.

It is a school where children learn together and live together. There, they develop their oral language and begin to discover writing, numbers, and other areas of learning. They learn through play, thinking and problem-solving, practicing, recalling, and memorizing.

The curriculum is organized into five learning areas:

● Developing language skills in all forms
● Physical activity and motor skills development
● Artistic expression and creativity
● Building early mathematical concepts
● Exploring the world and scientific inquiry

Preschool provides a rich and stimulating learning environment that nurtures each child’s potential.

Preschool education is generally spread over 3 school years, between the ages of 3 and 6. In the calendar year they turn 6, students enter CP (Cours Préparatoire) in elementary school, which is on the same Foxrock campus as preschool.

“Not wasting time” is a constant social concern. We, as teachers, would rather say that it’s important to take the necessary time for things to go well.

Moreover, even if it’s not always obvious, children work a lot in preschool, and our expectations are real. The classrooms are organized in such a way that every child can truly find their place.
Progress can sometimes stall or temporarily regress — that’s just part of child development. We know this, and we take it into account.

Depending on the time or the activity, your child is called upon each day to use the different areas of the school. Their classroom for most of the time, but also the library, the playground, the English room, and the gym. Preschool students have a gymnastics session every morning.

Yes, tuition fees apply, as the school operates partly on parental contributions.

Scholarships: French citizens enrolled at the French consulate may apply for AEFE scholarships. The Dublin Scholarship Committee meets annually in spring for the following academic year. A second session is held in October for late applicants or families who recently moved to Ireland. In both cases, the school will inform parents of scholarship deadlines and provide application documents.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:25 AM – 2:40 PM Wednesday: 8:25 AM – 12:35 PM

Children are welcomed and supervised 10 minutes before the times indicated above.

An after-school care service takes over at the end of classes for registered children and operates until 6:00 PM on all days when the school is open.

For secondary school, the schedule varies depending on the class. The campus gates open at 8:00 AM, and classes begin at 8:20 AM They end no later than 5:30 PM

Punctuality is required for four main reasons:

– For safety reasons,

– For educational reasons, as a child who is late may miss all or part of the day’s work introduction,

– For psychological reasons, because a child who is late may feel at fault,

– For civic reasons, because the rules adopted collectively (by the School Council) are justified and made to be respected for the smooth running of the school.

In case of lateness: you must ring the front doorbell and identify yourself to be let in.

The answer is clear: “it is not possible.” Regular attendance is essential for proper integration into a class and for continuous progress.

The placement of children in classes results from a compromise between the educational choices of the teaching team, each child’s abilities, and the law of mathematics—that is, classes must be balanced in terms of numbers, the ratio of boys to girls, French-speaking and non-French-speaking children, the relationships between children, etc. It is therefore common to have mixed-grade (“double-level”) classes, which is not a disadvantage for anyone, since the differences among children already require preschool teachers to almost individualize their expectations.

In a mixed-grade class, as in single-grade classes, students are grouped by the teachers based on educational choices to ensure both groups function well.

The teacher is trained to manage mixed-grade classes, which are common in the French system, and takes both levels and their curricula into account when preparing lessons. The scheduling arrangements in our school (English sessions, French as a Language of Schooling, library time, regular involvement of a second teacher in the classroom) allow for many time slots during which the teacher is alone with one of the two levels.

A student in a mixed-grade class is therefore not at a disadvantage, and studies on student performance in this type of class show that, on the contrary, the child benefits from it.

Teachers have the option to request to work part-time: a class with two teachers functions thanks to significant collaboration between the teachers outside of class time for planning and student follow-up.

Students quickly get used to having two teachers and to this way of working. They benefit from being exposed to two different personalities.

You may make a request, but the distribution of children remains the responsibility of the Teachers’ Council, which defines its priorities, and whose decisions may or may not align with your wishes.

You may also request that your child be placed in the same class as a particular other child. Our decision may differ from yours, because the teachers are in the best position to observe group dynamics.

In any case, children from different classes often come together for activities (recess games, English lessons, etc.), and this makes their reunions even more enjoyable.

Teachers use various methods to contact you:

● Student communication folder (containing notes, to be signed and returned).
● Class blogs for updates.
● Emails and the school website.
● Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
● Eduka platform and its mobile app.
● Parent-teacher meetings and school-wide events.

The Teachers’ Council has decided to create, for each child, a classroom activity notebook that is regularly shared with the family, or a class blog. These allow you to see the progress and activities carried out in class.

The learning progress booklet is also a working tool that allows for individual monitoring. It is given to you twice a year. In the 1st and 3rd trimesters, this booklet is handed to you during an individual meeting with the teacher on a Wednesday morning when there is no class.

This system does not exclude direct meetings, which you may request with the teachers at any time during the school year if you feel the need.

It is natural to be concerned about a child’s schooling and to talk about it with the school staff. Initially, the teacher is likely the most qualified person to inform you about your child’s progress in class.

Likewise, the principal keeps their door open to all parents who wish to schedule a meeting.

This question is often asked. It is natural to want to see your child make progress.

Don’t make them “work”—play with them, read them books, talk to them, awaken their curiosity, answer their questions, explore the environment with them: show genuine interest in what they do and discover, and don’t hesitate to ask them questions.

Don’t focus on the wrong goals—know that simply knowing the alphabet is by no means enough to learn to read, and counting up to fifty does not mean mastering numbers.

Your main concern is often learning to read: the best thing you can do in this area for your child is to be a reader yourself, so that the child sees that you find interest and pleasure in it… Imitation is an essential part of children’s behavior.

If you are in a family environment where French is not widely spoken, your child will also need opportunities to be exposed to the French language with you (holidays, reading, etc.).

For safety reasons and to avoid disrupting the functioning of the classes, the School Council has decided not to allow parents inside the school except for meetings or appointments scheduled in advance.

You may also come for information meetings or class celebrations, or to help supervise activities when invited by the teachers.

The school office is open every day from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM

In accordance with Irish legislation, any parent wishing to assist in the classroom must first obtain a clear Garda vetting. For more information, please contact the school office.

Teachers are not available for anything more than a brief exchange during morning drop-off; this time is dedicated to welcoming the students, not the parents.

It is preferable to schedule an appointment to meet your child’s teacher, using the communication folder, liaison notebook, or email.

Yes, the school makes use of outside resources to launch a project, conduct research, or even for entertainment. We might go to the market to shop for the class, observe signs of autumn in a park, visit an exhibition or attend a show, etc.

Outings are planned well in advance.

Group visit permissions must be obtained, and time is needed to organize the necessary supervision. Parents must give their authorization for each outing. In accordance with Irish legislation, any parent accompanying a school trip must first obtain a clear Garda vetting. For more information, please contact the school office.

You have the right to refuse your child’s participation in a class outing, but there are two things to keep in mind:

– It is unfortunate for one or more children to miss out on an activity that will serve as the basis for further classwork.

– If your child does not go on the outing with their classmates, you will need to take care of them that day, or they will be placed in another class.

Yes, of course—by helping supervise outings, or by occasionally assisting teachers who will call on you for various activities.

You can also be part of the Parents’ Association (APE), or serve on the School Council, the School Board, or the Management Committee as a parent representative.

The School Council meets at least three times a year (once each term) and brings together the teaching team, elected parent representatives, and representatives from the various administrative bodies linked to the school. It discusses matters related to school life, necessary measures to be taken, school projects, etc.

The School Board always meets after the School Council and addresses issues concerning the entire school community, including both primary and secondary levels (middle and high school).

The meetings of these Councils are interesting and constructive. We encourage you to stand as a candidate in the parent representative elections, which will be held around mid-October.

In the weeks following the start of the school year, parents elect two parent representatives for each class (a main representative and a substitute). The representatives are invited to attend the School Council or School Board meetings. They also serve as a direct link with the school administration, gathering information from the school and sharing questions from other parents in the class.

Their role is essential for ensuring that accurate information circulates.
Before these termly meetings, the parent representatives collect questions or topics that parents in the class would like to have addressed and submit them to the principal before the meeting.

Representatives may also sometimes take on a more social role—organizing gatherings for parents of the class, etc.

In all cases, the school must be informed—by email or phone (for short-term absences)—stating the duration and reason for the absence (in the case of a contagious illness, it is important to inform other families).

Absences should only be exceptional. Enrolling in the school implies a commitment on your part to regular attendance (consider all those who are on the waiting list due to lack of available spots).

No. The school does not have a nurse, nor is it authorized to administer any medication to children.

A child has the right to be ill, and as such, the right to proper rest—something the school cannot provide.

One obvious point that nonetheless bears repeating: never give your child medication to bring to school, and make sure they do not bring any without your knowledge.

The only medical action on the part of the teachers is to, if possible, isolate the child from the others so that they can rest. The family is contacted and must come to pick up the little sick one (hence the importance of updating phone numbers on Eduka).

The school can only treat very superficial injuries. If the accident, unfortunately always possible, requires the intervention of a doctor, two cases may arise:

– the case is not too serious, the family or an authorized person is informed, the injured child is reassured, and we wait with them until their parents come to pick them up.

– the case seems serious (or we are unable to reach the family): the firefighters are consulted, and according to the description given, the firefighter-doctor decides on the mode of transport and the place of care. The child is taken, accompanied by an adult from the school, to the hospital by emergency services. The parents are informed as soon as possible.

In no case may a teacher take a child to the hospital on their own initiative or under their own responsibility.

Children can sometimes come to blows in their games, at least as long as they have not truly accepted the social rules of good group living. This point is often a point of disagreement between you and us. We carry out work of prevention, education, and reflection with and without the children on this subject. Despite this, we will never be able to avoid occasional confrontations.

To answer the question: yes, the children are supervised, all the time and everywhere, indoors as well as outdoors!

That may happen, as little as possible, let’s hope. If it is a matter of rules, you can contact the parent representatives so that the question may be examined by the School Council.

If it is a matter of decisions concerning your child, make an appointment, and let’s talk. We will explain ourselves to each other, we will understand each other.

We are used to this question, which comes up every year. To some parents (from the younger classes), who do not want their child to take a nap, we generally reply that if the child sleeps, it is because they need it, and that we will respect this need. To other parents (from the middle classes), who would like their child to continue taking a nap, we reply that their request is no doubt legitimate, especially at the beginning of the year. A relaxation time is planned after lunch. Those who need it can lie down.

No. There is plenty to play with at school, and all outside objects are a source of various desires, therefore of disputes between children. However, for the younger sections, the teachers may ask you at the beginning of the year to bring a teddy bear, a doll, or something else, to reassure the child during nap time and help them feel in a more secure environment. These objects, like all belongings, must be marked with the child’s name.

The school has its rules, and learning civility implies that they are respected. Obviously, these rules are built and learned gradually. If necessary, a child may be temporarily deprived
of an activity, or placed, under supervision, apart from the group, with the reason explained to them.

The phenomenon is also well known. How pleasant it is to bring home a little piece of school, in the form of a puzzle piece, Lego bricks, little magnets so interesting! They may not mean much to you. For us, they are sometimes the element that makes the game unusable. So thank you for bringing these little things back to us!

Your child is beginning to understand the power of words and imagination. Sometimes, they will want to measure the effect of this power on you and on the school by telling anything and everything, with the greatest seriousness. To the point that you may be somewhat worried.

It has been noticed that complaints made about the school often come from a lack of knowledge about what really happens there, or from incorrect information received during conversations between parents: never hesitate to come and get the information you need from the teacher, the lunch or daycare supervisors, or the administration. In general, one comes away reassured from a direct meeting where one can explain things.

After all, we all have the same goal: that the children feel good at school, and that they can carry out their learning in good conditions.

A young child of 3 years old cannot project themselves into time and imagine that a school day is going to be pleasant. 

They live in the present moment, and when that moment is one of separation, there are sometimes a few tears, often reinforced by the transfer of your own anxiety and your guilt at the idea of leaving them in unfamiliar hands.

Know that, in general, these tears last only as long as your presence: so you must learn to shorten this moment…

The crying may start again at pickup time: a new anxiety sets in — “Will someone come to get me?” If this happens, you may end up convincing yourself that your child cried all morning, or all day! That could be terrible for you! Rest assured, if that were the case, we would be the first to worry and to inform you of any possible adaptation problem.

Lunch at primary school is organized in two shifts:

1st shift: preschool classes from 11:30 to 12:15.

2nd shift: elementary classes from 12:15 to 13:00.

Two lunch supervisors take care of the same class throughout the school year (3 per class for the Little Sections).

In each shift, the children have at least 30 minutes to eat their meal. Those who have finished their meal go out first, accompanied by one of the 2 supervising staff. The other supervisor stays in the classroom with the slower ones and goes out with the last students.

At the end of the “lunch break” time, that is, 12:15 (1st shift), the teachers pick up the students in the courtyard.

For any change or event occurring in the child’s daily life, and for anything that can shed light on the child’s behavior, it is important to inform the teacher.

At the beginning of the school year, you must fill out an information form concerning your child: it is in this form that you provide the medical information. Allergies are identified in this way.

However, a meeting with the parents is necessary to explain to us in detail the measures to be taken and to establish an IEP (individualized care plan).

The children staying in after-school care are divided into 2 groups: preschool and elementary.

In the preschool after-school care, the pupils play outside in the small courtyard with all the outdoor games made available to them, or they are inside in a preschool classroom and play with the after-school care games or draw freely. Sometimes, they may also watch a DVD in the library.

A calm snack time is planned in the middle of the afternoon: remember to provide a snack for after-school care if your child is registered for several hours.

The procedure in effect at the school is as follows:

– if the absence is known in advance: the information is given to the families by the teacher.

– if it is a one-time absence known that same morning (illness, for example): there is no systematic sending of an email to inform families, as long as the children are taken care of at the usual times.

The school ensures that the student’s daily routine is not disrupted if a teacher is absent: another teacher will take over the class, the children remain in a learning situation and are not simply in “daycare mode” if their usual teacher is not there. If the teacher informs the school of a prolonged absence due to illness (beyond a day or two), in that case the families of the class will be informed.

Thank you for checking your child’s head when you receive information about the presence of lice in their class. Carefully consult the document sent on this occasion.

For children in the Little Section who may have lice, you must inform the teachers in order to collect sheets and blankets to wash them.

Come talk to us about any possible problems.

Do not play the police yourself by rushing, at school dismissal, to the presumed person responsible for the injuries. In general, they have already been identified and reprimanded. If a child is aggressive, we take care of it, and we inform their family.

It’s simple: if this is planned, write a note to the teacher in the folder. Remember to send an email to extrascolaire@lfi.ieto inform that your child must go to after-school care and update your file on Eduka.

If it’s unplanned, call the school, even at the last minute.

There are two scenarios:
The child goes to after-school care if you inform us (until 6:00 p.m. maximum).
Someone else comes to pick them up. If the person is on the list of authorized people, or if we have a written note or an email from the parents, there is no problem. But if that is not the case, the child will not be allowed to leave, even to help out the family.

This question is frequently asked to us.

The answer is no, even if you are next-door neighbors, unless we have received written or phone authorization from the family of that child, or if you are one of the people authorized to pick up that child, registered on Eduka.

Except in truly extraordinary weather conditions, your child will be expected to go outside every day. Think about dressing them accordingly.

One of our concerns is helping children become autonomous: always prefer clothing that makes life easier for them — avoid, for example, outfits with straps worn under other clothes or lace-up shoes if you haven’t yet taught them to tie their shoes on their own.

The last aspect is related to activities: school is a place where one does painting, modeling, physical education, etc. — your child’s clothing should be able to handle all of that.

There are certain clothes we forbid for safety reasons: scarves and belts can be dangerous if used for playing.

So many lost clothes! Our shared drama is that nothing looks more like a blue balaclava (red hat, or other…) than another blue balaclava (red hat, or other)!

So mix-ups are frequent. The solution:

– Stay calm
– Label the clothes with the child’s name
– Make the child responsible for their own belongings: they must know them to be able to recognize them, they must learn to put them away, always in the same place so they can find them again
– Pay attention yourself when picking up your child
– Don’t report something missing after several days, but ask the very next day to check the “lost and found box” located in the entrance hall
– Be understanding: you have one, two, three, or four children — the teacher has 25!
– Return clothes that don’t belong to your children!

If it is truly a case of clear negligence, or even a spirit of systematic destruction on the part of a child, you can and we can take action.

If it is about the “normal” traces of classroom work, be more cautious! We often notice that children refuse to take part in activities because they are afraid of getting dirty, knowing they will face the wrath of mom and dad.

Even though one of the conditions for enrollment in school is that the child be “potty-trained,” among the youngest, “little accidents,” during class or nap time, are still frequent. The support staff will always refuse to put diapers on the children, but will never refuse to wash and change them. Still, the necessary items must be provided! Give the teachers a small bag labeled with the child’s name containing a change of clothes (Preschool only).

Don’t forget to wash and return any clothes possibly lent by the school. As mentioned in the clothing chapter, it is certain that many of these little accidents could be avoided if the children always wore clothes that support their autonomy in this regard (avoid pants that are difficult to unbutton!).

A party, even a modest one, requires time and a minimum of organization. Whether it’s for a birthday or for something else (a birth in the family, for example), inform and come to an agreement with the concerned teachers if you wish to bring a party snack.

Yes. It is given to each family at the beginning of the school year and is available at any time on Eduka. The main points have been mentioned in this booklet, and you can consult the full text on the website.

Let us still recall that the following are prohibited:

– Disrespect from anyone (teaching or non-teaching staff, students, families…) toward anyone (see the anti-bullying charter in our regulations)
– Tardiness, which destabilizes the child themself and the functioning of their group
– Dangerous games
– Medication
– Bringing in toys, jewelry, dangerous objects
– Bringing animals into the playground

We advise you not to bring your children to the meetings; it can be boring for them and you will not be able to pay attention to the information being given if you have to take care of your child.

We make an effort to schedule these meetings in advance and place them at the end of the day to make it easier for working parents. There is no childcare provided during the meetings. You will therefore need to arrange babysitting yourself outside of the school if needed.

The majority of children stay in our school until CM2 and then move on to the secondary school of the LFI in Clonskeagh. The LFI middle school offers a Franco-Irish curriculum, “Eurocampus,” leading to two diplomas: the Brevet des Collèges and the Junior Certificate.
Others choose during their schooling to join an Irish school. This is possible without the child being penalized in their education.