Mougins School, located just outside the French Riviera town of the same name – made famous by the artist Pablo Picasso, who spent his twilight years there – is a British international school where, traditionally, the vast majority of lessons have been delivered in English.
That’s not to say students do not learn other languages – on the contrary, the standard of many students’ French is high enough to allow them to enter university education in the country, explains James Wellings, who led the school for over five years to June 2026.
Nevertheless, 90 per cent of lessons at the school, which is part of the Globeducate group, have been delivered in English.
However, last month that changed for a select group admitted on to the school's new bilingual route, which allows students in Years 7, 8 and 9 to spend more time immersed in the French language – around five hours a week – and they will also study history, geography and digital literacy in French.
This move to embrace instruction in more than one language is part of a trend being seen across the international sector, as schools seek to broaden their appeal and cater for a wider range of families.