Timeline

The letter reaffirms that Belleville Wix Primary School’s first priority is to the children and families it serves, and that the school and Q1E Trust are committed to offering an excellent, state-funded bilingual provision from September 2026. The Trust, Trustees and leadership emphasise their long-standing commitment to the bilingual partnership with the Lycée, noting years of work to strengthen the relationship and uphold the lease agreement.

It outlines the significant efforts and investment made by Belleville Wix Academy to support the partnership, including building improvements, meeting additional French requirements, reducing accommodation costs, improving cleaning and meals, and introducing a new school caterer. The school also highlights its support for curriculum development, provision of clubs at short notice, and assistance during challenging periods for the Lycée, including following its Ofsted inspection, with discussions even taking place about expanding the bilingual offer.

The letter then explains the school’s surprise and disappointment at being informed—without prior notice—that the Lycée intended to withdraw from the bilingual provision. Since then, the Trust has been working with the French Embassy to try to preserve the existing arrangement, while also planning for a strong free bilingual provision should the issues remain unresolved. Despite recent uncertainty caused by communications from the Lycée, the Trust reiterates that maintaining and developing the 20-year bilingual relationship remains its preferred outcome.

The letter explains that recent communications from the school have raised serious concerns for the Council about both process and practicality. The Council, along with parents, staff and partners, was taken by surprise by the Lycée’s position, and the proposed rapid structural changes are described as unrealistic given the number of children involved and the complexity of the arrangements at the Clancarty Road site. The Council also notes that it was not informed in advance by the Lycée or French authorities, which it finds both surprising and concerning.

The author makes clear that the site is not owned or controlled by the institution issuing the letters, and that significant changes cannot be imposed without agreement, due process or respect for existing legal arrangements. Proposals affecting governance, staffing, admissions, funding and curriculum cannot responsibly be developed and implemented within weeks, and the Council rejects both the substance of such rushed proposals and the way they have been communicated directly to parents, causing unnecessary anxiety.

Finally, the letter reassures families that the bilingual partnership is governed by binding legal agreements that remain in force. The Council is actively seeking clarification from the Lycée, engaging with all partners, and examining feasibility, timelines and legal constraints. It emphasises that no decisions have been agreed and no changes can be imposed, reaffirming that its overriding priority is continuity, stability and high-quality, state-funded bilingual education for children in Hammersmith & Fulham.

The letter responds to a communication sent by the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle regarding the Fulham bilingual provision, making clear that it was issued without consultation, prior knowledge, or agreement. The authors stress that it does not represent a joint position and should not be interpreted as such.

It strongly challenges the Lycée’s stated reasons for ending the partnership, describing them as inaccurate and misleading. According to the letter, these claims do not reflect how the programme has actually been delivered or the nature of discussions between the partners. The authors believe families deserve a full and truthful account and commit to providing more detailed information shortly.

Finally, the letter criticises the way the situation has been handled, calling it irresponsible and disrespectful to both families and staff. While acknowledging the concern and uncertainty caused, it reassures families of an ongoing commitment to genuine bilingual education, high standards, and transparent communication.

Dated 15/01, but sent to parents on 19/01.

The letter explains that the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle (LFCG) has decided to end its historic partnership with Belleville Wix Academy due to the increasing challenges of running two separate bilingual programs. The Lycée cites difficulties in coordination, declining quality compared to other AEFE schools in London, and inequalities between students as key reasons for the change, emphasizing that maintaining a deteriorating version of the bilingual stream was no longer acceptable.

Despite ending the partnership, the Lycée reassures families that bilingual education will continue in Fulham through a fully maintained 50/50 program under LFCG’s direct responsibility. Students will benefit from a balanced and structured curriculum in both French and English, delivered by qualified staff, with English lessons taught by newly recruited teachers and French lessons continuing with experienced existing staff, ensuring stability and continuity.

The letter also outlines key pedagogical priorities, including phonics in the English program and maintaining multiple approaches in mathematics to strengthen transferable skills in a bilingual environment. The Lycée frames this transition as part of a broader strategy to enhance teaching quality, modernize the program, support staff stability, and promote student success, and it assures families that leadership is available to answer questions and provide further information in upcoming communications and meetings.

The document confirms that the decision to end the bilingual partnership with Belleville Wix Academy has been formally taken and communicated in mid-December. It states that the decision is final and results from a combination of political, economic and operational factors, including ongoing communication difficulties with the partner school and concerns about unequal treatment of families. It also places the decision in the wider context of French state policy and AEFE funding constraints.

From a practical standpoint, the document reassures families that core arrangements remain secure. The lease for the premises is confirmed until 2030, ensuring continuity of the Lycée’s presence on site. Extracurricular services, including school meals and after-school care, are unaffected, and there will be no increase in school fees, even if pupil numbers decrease.

Regarding the bilingual “B” classes, the document outlines plans for a new pedagogical project, including the development of a redesigned bilingual curriculum taught in both French and English, the recruitment of English-speaking teachers, and the intention to maintain one bilingual class per year group. It also notes that there is no guaranteed entry into secondary education at the Lycée for pupils not directly enrolled with LFCG. The “A” stream (enhanced English) remains unchanged. Finally, the document sets out a timeline for early 2026 covering consultation and curriculum finalisation, while allowing families the option to leave the programme or the school once details are clarified.

The letter informs parents that the Lycée Charles de Gaulle has announced its intention to withdraw from the jointly run bilingual provision at Belleville Wix Academy at the end of July 2026. The school recognises that this announcement may be surprising and unsettling for families and reassures them that work is already underway to fully understand the implications of this decision.

It emphasises that the school’s priority remains the children and families it serves, and highlights pride in the quality of its bilingual provision. The letter notes that both the bilingual and English provision were assessed by Ofsted earlier in the year, which concluded there was sufficient evidence that the school would be judged outstanding in a graded inspection.

Finally, the school confirms its intention to continue offering a free bilingual provision to all registered bilingual-stream pupils at Belleville Wix Academy, as well as to other interested families. While acknowledging that not all questions can yet be answered, the school asks for patience and understanding and commits to providing a further update in January.