Fair enough but I do think it introduces too much risk into the equation at a critical time. If it does not work out they can leave school with nothing.

I have moved my kids around and the experience has been good for them. They speak four languages (which is a feature not a benefit in my view, they will have to excel at something else to get the benefit from it). Howver the oldest is now 10 and for me by twelve they either need to be stable until 18/19 or else they go away to school.

There is no right answer but there are plenty of disaster cases of parents who have maybe convinced themselves it is a good idea for all because they want to do it.

Val Very interested and encouraged buy your post ..my kids are 8 13 and 14 and we are planning to move early next year they are quite responsive to the idea but France is along way from Australia there main concerns are leaving friends behind...I shall continue my research on schools and have a proper look around in October when I come for a visit ..

Thanks
Kate

Hi Kate
let me know if there is anything we can help with.
We moved to France from South Africa so know a little how you feel. Our 3 had never lived in Europe before so it was a bit of a cultural shock for them! Ours felt the same about leaving friends behind but it was incredible how quickly they made new ones in France. What area are you looking at moving to? You might want to look at a Sous-contrat school too for high school.
Val

Thanks for the reply Val...At this stage we are not sure what area except to say somewhere between Montpellier and Perpignan.I am coming over in October for a look around. My husband begins negotiations with his employer next week on Salary etc so then we will know what we have to work with on the employment front and whether or not we can make the move and be financially viable.

Thanks again

Hi all

Can I add my sixpen'orth to the thread - mainly to do with the education bit.

I agree that the 15 year-old will struggle with written French, and it may take a couple of years for him to be able to take a Brevet (GCSE level). My daughter was 13 and found it very hard for a year, but then everything just seemed to click. She redoubled 4eme (Year 9), but as they take Brevet in 3eme (year 10), she was the same age as her UK friends when she did her exams - and all in TWO days not spread over two months - but then, there are only 4 papers to sit

For her lycee, she would have attended Victor & Helene Basch in Rennes as a weekly boarder (1000 euros a YEAR!). However, our dream in France has ended and she is back in the UK doing a BTEC in business.

IMO kids will do better if you can get them here before secondary school. My daughter is fluent in French - finding her French A level here just toooo easy!

Bonne chance