The British International Section

The Collège Sacré-Cœur, located in the Saint-Louis quarter of Versailles, opened its British Section in 2010. The section aims to provide continuity for students returning from abroad after time spent in an Anglo-Saxon educational system or those who have one or more native English-speaking parents. The level is demanding and there is a selection procedure with a written entrance exam and an oral interview. Since its creation, the section has grown steadily and now averages around 25 students per class.

At the end of their four years of collège, the students take the Brevet Mention Internationale. This includes an oral exam in Literature in which the students identify a theme in the texts they have studied and present an exposé, followed by a discussion with the examiners. Secondly, there is the DNL which concentrates on the capacity to respond to documents from a historical perspective.

Joining the Section Internationale (SI) is a choice which requires commitment from families and students alike. The extra hours are demanding since they are in addition to the traditional French curriculum, with an average of 4 hours of Literature and 2 hours of DNL per week. The SI is a programme for students at ease in the French system and eager to expand their communication skills and preserve their connection to the English-speaking world, with a view to pursuing further studies abroad at a later date. Great emphasis is placed on critical thinking and being able to formulate personal opinions on documents and texts supported by evidence and mature reflection.

The program is taught by native-speaking teachers, therefore students applying to the section are expected to be fluent, in order to engage fully with the demanding and enriching program of the International Section.

Please address enquiries and applications to the secretary for admissions at College du Sacré Cœur.