In our bilingual high school, from Year 11 (2de) to Year 13 (terminale), your child prepares for GCSEs and IGCSEs, then A Levels, in English and French, at our accredited Pearson Edexcel examination centre in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris. These qualifications are recognised by French, British and international universities.
Our high school students sit GCSEs and IGCSEs in Year 11. In Sixth Form, they prepare for A Levels and International A Levels, university entrance qualifications recognised worldwide and offered by 34% of international schools for 16 to 18-year-olds, compared with 26% for the IB (source: Pearson). Academic standards are high, in classes of no more than 20 students where every student is known by their teachers. The exam board Pearson Edexcel is Pearson Edexcel.
The first year of high school, Year 11 is also the second year of the GCSE and IGCSE cycle that begins in Year 10 (3e). Students sit 9 subjects, all compulsory. The GCSE/IGCSE subjects are:
The exams take place in May and June, at the school, in our Pearson Edexcel examination centre, after mock exams in January. Pearson Edexcel publishes the results in August. The 2026 results were excellent once again: 15% Grade 9 (England average: 5%), 55% Grade 9–7 (England average: 22%), 81% Grade 9–5 (England average: 52%).
Each student chooses 3 to 5 subjects, studied in depth over two years and sat in the exams. French is compulsory. The subjects are: Mathematics, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Language, English Literature, Business Studies, Spanish, ICT and French.
A Levels and International A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide; in France, they are recognised as equivalent to the French baccalauréat (the national secondary-school leaving qualification). They allow students to apply through Parcoursup, the French higher-education admissions platform (depending on the student's nationality).
| Age | France | United Kingdom | United States | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 - 15 | 3ème or Troisième | Year 10 | 9th Grade | GCSE / IGCSE (year 1) |
| 15 - 16 | 2nde ou Seconde | Year 11 | 10th Grade | GCSE / IGCSE (exams) |
| 16 - 17 | 1ère ou Première | Year 12 | 11th Grade | A Levels (year 1) |
| 17 - 18 | Terminale | Year 13 | 12th Grade | A Levels (exams) |
In high school, English and French remain the two languages of instruction. French is compulsory up to A Levels, so that our students maintain a university-level command of both languages, written and spoken.
A student who arrives without one of the two languages receives EAL (English as an Additional Language) or FAL (French as an Additional Language) support, adapted to the pace of the exam cycle.
As Year 12 and Year 13 are exam years, admission will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A fluent level of English is required to enter Sixth Form.
The A Levels taken at our bilingual high school are the entry qualification for British universities (through UCAS) and are accepted by French, European, American and Asian universities.
We support every Sixth Form student with their university guidance: choosing subjects in Year 12 (1re) according to their plans for higher education, applications, personal statements, and the Parcoursup and UCAS calendars.
Students are supported throughout their schooling to refine their plans, with more specific guidance in Year 13 (terminale).
A Level results in 2026: our first cohort in 2026, of which we are very proud: 33% of students achieved A*–A (England average: 28%) and 100% achieved A*–E (England average: 97%).
100% of the first cohort secured their chosen higher-education destination, from film school and design school to medical school.
Our students go on to study in France as well as in England or the United States.
A Levels are built on choice: 3 to 5 subjects, studied in depth over two years, according to the student's plans for higher education. A future engineer goes deeper into maths, physics and chemistry; a future entrepreneur into Business Studies, maths and English. This specialisation is the norm at British universities and prepares students for the work expected in the first year of higher education: reading, arguing and writing in English. French remains compulsory, whichever country the student goes on to study in.
From September 2027, students will also be able to choose the bilingual French-English IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school supports each student in this choice, as A Levels and the IBDP are two very different high-level qualifications.
A tour of the high school with the admissions team and, if you wish, a conversation with a Sixth Form teacher about your child's plans for higher education.
There is no fixed rule. For a student coming from the French system, it is preferable to apply for Year 10 (3e) to begin the two years of GCSE preparation, or for Year 12 (1re) to begin the two years of Sixth Form. A fluent level of English is required for Sixth Form. Mid-year entry remains possible, subject to places being available and the exam calendar.
Admission begins with an online application (5 minutes, no application fee) and a call from our Admissions Officer within 24 to 48 hours.
This is followed by a visit to the school and an assessment in French, English, maths and science.
From 8:15 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (except Wednesday, from 8:15 am to 12 noon).
Independence, regular personal study and participation in class: work habits that prepare students for university.
Sport with Stade Français (the Paris sports club), drama and capoeira. Recent trips: the Euro Space Center in Belgium, Barcelona.
Meals delivered every morning by a caterer, with two menus to choose from, or a lunch box brought from home. School uniform is compulsory.
Yes. A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide and give access to French higher education. Applications are made through Parcoursup (depending on the student's nationality) or as international applications. We support every student through these steps, particularly in Year 13 (terminale).
Both qualifications are awarded by Pearson Edexcel and are recognised in the same way by universities. They differ in how the exams are organised. International A Levels are designed for schools outside the United Kingdom: the exam is described as 'modular', with some papers sat in Year 12 and the rest in Year 13 (maths, the three sciences, Business Studies, ICT). A Levels are described as 'linear': the exams are sat at the end of Year 13 only (French, Spanish, English literature).
This will depend on the child's level of English, which must be fluent to follow Sixth Form teaching. A student coming from the French system ideally joins in Year 12 (1re), to follow the two years of A Level preparation. Their level is assessed during admission.
Each student chooses 3 to 5 subjects, studied in depth over two years, including French. The subjects are: Mathematics, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Language, English Literature, Business Studies, Spanish, ICT and French.
At the school itself. Open Sky International has been an accredited Pearson Edexcel examination centre since 2022, one of the few schools in France to hold this accreditation. Students therefore sit their GCSEs, IGCSEs and A Levels in surroundings they know.
Tuition fees are presented by the admissions team during your first conversation.
Have questions about our secondary school? We'll get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
Quelques places disponibles pour 2026 !
Préparez votre rentrée 2027 !
Some available places for 2026 !
Prepare your 2027 school year !
