School enrolment, catchment exceptions and absences in France
In France, schooling is compulsory from 3 to 16. For a state nursery or primary school, the town hall of the family's home enrols the child and issues an enrolment certificate, then the head teacher admits the child (article L. 131-5 of the Education Code). Many communes have their own form or a free portal, to use first, otherwise the request to enrol a child at school goes to the school affairs department. For a school other than the catchment one, the request for a catchment exception goes to the mayor, who weighs it against the places available, with no automatic right. For collège and lycée, the exception is asked of the academic director.
The documents are written in French. A school certificate is often a free download from the school's digital workspace, and the school report book can be viewed on ÉduConnect. For a past year, a leaving certificate after a move, or the transfer of the file to a new school, the request for a school certificate or school file goes to the head. Every absence must be justified without delay, and the note justifying an absence offers only the five reasons of article L. 131-8 of the Education Code, with no health detail. They are up to date on 13 October 2026 and are not official forms.
The documents
4 forms available to fill out or download.
Request for an exception to the school catchment area (France)
For a parent who wants their child in a French state nursery or primary school other than the catchment one, in the same commune or another. If the town hall has its own form, free of charge, use it. Otherwise this letter in French to the mayor identifies the child, the catchment school and the school requested, and gives the ground: a brother or sister at the school, work constraints, medical reasons certified under separate cover, or another reason. No exception is a right. For collège and lycée, the request goes to the academic director.
Request for a school certificate or school file (France)
For a parent, or an adult pupil, who needs a certificate of school attendance (for the CAF, an employer, a grant body), a leaving certificate after a move, the transfer of the school file to the new school, or a copy of the school report book. The certificate is often a free download from the school's digital workspace (ENT), and the report book from ÉduConnect: check there first. In French, the letter to the head identifies the pupil, the document wanted and who it is for.
Note justifying a pupil's absence from school (France)
For a parent who must justify a child's absence from a French school, collège or lycée: a dated, signed note giving the pupil, class, dates and half-days missed, and the reason, chosen from those article L. 131-8 of the French Education Code recognises, with no health detail at all. The home-school notebook, the school's own slip or the ENT remain the usual free route; this template is for when they are not at hand or for an absence of several days. In French, handed to the school without delay.
Request to the town hall to enrol a child at school (France)
For a parent enrolling a child in a French state nursery or primary school, for the first time or after a move. Many town halls have their own form or a free online portal: use it if there is one. Otherwise this letter in French to the school affairs department asks for enrolment and for the certificat d’inscription to show the head teacher (article L. 131-5 of the French Education Code), and lists the documents: family record book or birth certificate, proof of address, vaccinations.
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