The end of the LFCG partnerships at Wix and Marie d’Orliac?

The partnership between LFCG and Belleville-Wix Academy (BWA), which aims to provide a bilingual programme with equal time in both languages, will come to an end for the 2026–27 academic year.  

This information was communicated by BWA, which appears to have been taken by surprise by a unilateral decision made by the lycée, without prior consultation with either the partner schools or the elected parent representatives. This decision is reportedly the result of several years of declining enrolment in the LFCG component of the bilingual (parity) classes.

Fulham Bilingual is experiencing a similar decline in enrolment, and the management of Marie d’Orliac is currently discussing the future of its own parity programme. A similarly concerned letter has been sent to parents by the management of their partner school, Holy Cross, which finds itself uncertain about the situation due to the same lack of communication from LFCG.

A new bilingual programme for Wix? 

Following BWA’s announcement, the lycée’s headteacher and Mr Ventelou, Head of Wix School, sent a letter intended to be reassuring. They propose the creation of a new parity programme, more strongly centred on the French curriculum but taught in both languages. This new programme would be accredited by the AEFE. Mr Ventelou also indicated to the APL that the lease for the school premises runs until 2030, and that after-school services are managed independently of the partnership.

However, this situation raises significant questions regarding the education of children at the Clapham school.

• Timing: The school is proposing to create a new programme within six months, including the recruitment of English-speaking staff, which appears extremely ambitious. Re-enrolments normally take place in early February, but the programme will not be available in time to allow parents to decide whether or not to re-enrol their children.
• School fees: Following a meeting with parent representatives, Mr Ventelou stated that tuition fees would not increase, even in the event of declining enrolment. What, then, is the economic rationale behind this decision?
• Finally, how can this decision be reconciled with the lycée’s primary mission—regularly reiterated by both the school administration and the AEFE—which is to provide a French education?

For many families, the educational project was built precisely around the dual optionality between the French and English systems for continuation into secondary education. The lycée’s unilateral and abrupt decision directly calls these foundational choices into question.

Uncertainty at Marie d’Orliac

Parents of the parity classes at Marie d’Orliac are still awaiting information regarding the future of the partnership with Holy Cross. To date, the only information available consists of what was shared with parent representatives at the School Council meeting of 25 November 2025, along with a letter from Holy Cross highlighting both their lack of information and their desire to maintain the partnership.

The CIPL is working alongside the APL at Marie d’Orliac to obtain official communication from the school leadership regarding the parity classes, so that parents can make an informed decision about their children’s education for the 2026–27 academic year. The “Enhanced English” classes (Anglais renforcé) are not directly affected by these changes. 

Governance and transparency concerns

This decision also raises serious questions about LFCG’s governance and communication practices. It was taken unilaterally by the institution, without consultation with either the partner schools or parents. The School Council held just a few days prior to the announcement did not even discuss the possibility of ending this partnership. Furthermore, the financial details cited to justify the decision have not been shared with elected representatives, despite repeated requests in recent weeks—an issue that has been regularly raised by the CIPL since its creation.

This article reflects the state of information available as of December 17, 2025, and is subject to change.