Having lived life overseas as an expat myself for 11 years in Asia, I know first hand just how hard finding the right international school for your kids can be. So, whether you're new to London, are here for a short time or a long time, or simply want to know your options when it comes to international schooling, here's a comprehensive guide to international schools in London and the surrounding suburbs that will make the research part a bit less of a pickle...
Now in its fifth decade, ISL is a truly international school that personalises its learning in order to meet the needs of all of its students. The school has earned a global reputation as a leading International Baccalaureate (IB) school and is widely recognised as one of the UK’s best and most experienced international schools.
Age range: 3 to 18 years
Boarding: No
Curriculum: IB
Language of instruction: English
https://www.isllondon.org; 139 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LG
The Greek Secondary School of London accepts all students who wish to study with the school, and there are no fees to pay. GSS is a Greek School that keeps its Greek identity alive and vibrant, but also preps its students for life in global communities.
Age range: 11 to 18 years
Boarding: No
Curriculum: Greek
Language of instruction: Greek
www.greekschool-london; 22 Trinity Road, London N22 8LB
Dwight School London is an independent co-educational international school in North Finchley and consists of the senior, primary and nursery departments. Students are encouraged to be critical and creative thinkers empowered by inquiry-led learning, and are expected to learn and celebrate one another as part of its global community.
Age range: 3-18 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: IB
Language of instruction: English
www.dwightlondon.org; Friern Barnet Rd, Friern Barnet, London N11 3DR
Founded in 1982, The Norwegian School in London is an independent Norwegian international school situated in a leafy, quiet residential area of Wimbledon. It prides itself on encouraging students to explore the unknown, look for creative solutions and to focus on each individual's value while also appreciating cultural diversity. Students are welcome regardless of the length of their stay in the UK.
Age range: 6-16 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: Norwegian
Language of Instruction: Norwegian
www.norwegianschool.org.uk; 28 Arterberry Road, Wimbledon, London SW20 8AH
EIFA International School (formerly known as L'Ecole Internationale Franco-Anglaise) is an English-French international co-educational nursery, junior and senior independent day school, located in Marylebone, providing an English-French bilingual education for children from 2-18 years. Its bilingual programme will ensure that all students will be fluent in both French and English by the time they graduate senior school. For students arriving at EIFA without proficiency in either English or French, it provides a special programme called EAL “English as an Additional Language” and FLE “Français Langue Etrangère”. These courses allow children to make rapid and sustained progress irrespective of their initial knowledge base in the second language.
Age range: 21 months to 18 years
Boarding: No
Curriculum: British and IB
Language of instruction: English and French
www.eifaschool.com; 36 Portland Place, Marylebone, London W1B 1LS
TASIS The American School in England is a leading independent, co-educational international school which offers both day and boarding facilities. Curriculum wise you can expect American High School Diploma as well as a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate diploma (IB). TASIS is known for its welcoming environment, host of sports and a plethora of activities that promote well-being.
Age range: 3-18 years
Boarding: Yes, age 14-18 years
Curriculum: American Diploma, IB
Language of instruction: English
www.tasisengland.org; Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey TW20 8TE
SIS-LPEBL Kentish Town is a private independent primary bilingual (English/French) school welcoming pupils aged 3 to 10 years old. Pupils are taught English and French on a strict schedule parity basis and small number year groups makes it the ideal environment for nurturing each child's learning and well-being.
Age range: 3 to 10 years.
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: British and French
Language of instruction: English and French
www.sis-lpeblkt.com; 22 Vicar's Road, London NW5 4NL
Ecole Jeannine Manuel is a co-educational bilingual international French school for 3-18 year olds in the heart of London, and just so happens to also be the sister school of its Paris counterpart, which has ranked #1 when it comes to French lycées for the last eight years! The school’s mission is to promote international understanding through the bilingual education of a multicultural community of students, and firmly believes in the constant exploration of best practices when it comes to the ever-changing global environment.
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: IB, British and French
Language of instruction: English and French
www.ecolejeanninemanuel.org.uk ; 43-45 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DN
The American School in London is a K-12 independent day school with a solid ethos when it comes to empowering each student to thrive as a lifelong learner and as a global citizen. Diversity is a key element when it comes to the ASL experience, and students are encouraged to foster a positive attitude to help them thrive in the world at large.
Age range: 4 to 18 years.
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: American
Language of instruction: English
www.asl.org ; 1 Waverley Place, St John's Wood, London NW8 0NP
If it's a dual French and British curriculum you're looking for at nursery and primary school levels, then The Stewart Bilingual School has over 40 years experience in the field of bilingual education, priding itself on a school life filled with a lively and intellectually stimulating dual curriculum that draws on both French and British traditions. Children aged 2 to 11 from all nationalities are welcome.
Age range: 2 to 11 years.
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: French and British
Language of instruction: French and English
www.stewartbilingualschool.com; 90 Oxford Gardens, London W10 5UW
Founded in 1967 to serve the needs of global and local families, ACS International Schools educate over 3,700 students, aged 2 to 18 from more than 100 countries. Choose from one of its three locations (Cobham, Egham or Hillingdon) and expect your child to pick up the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing world. Its world-renowned curriculum includes all International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes, and top US programmes including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the AP Capstone and International Diplomas.
Age range: 2-18 years
Boarding: Yes, age 12 to 18 years
Curriculum: IB and American
www.acs-schools.com; Portsmouth Road, Hersham, Cobham KT11 1BL
Halcyon believes that school life should inspire, engage and interest students from the moment they begin school to the day they graduate in the aim of producing tomorrow’s leaders. It's also the only not-for-profit IB school in London, and offers the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme to its small community of students aged 11-18. Innovation, collaboration and community are an important part of life at Halcyon, and students can expect to enjoy a challenging academic programme, an innovative approach to wellbeing and an integrated digital learning environment.
Age range: 11-18 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: IB
Language of instruction: English
www.halcyonschool.com; 33 Seymour Place, Marylebone, London W1H 5AU
When it comes to international schools in London, Ecole Française de Londres Jacques Prévert is a small but friendly co-ed French primary school for students age 4 to 11 years. It is located in a residential area of West London, and its five core values are health and safety, autonomy, benevolence, respect and effort.
Age range: 4 to 11 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: French
Language of instruction: French and English
www.ecoleprevert.org.uk; 59 Brook Green, Hammersmith, London W6 7BE
Deutsche Schule London caters to pupils from Kindergarten through the bilingual Abitur and the
DSL currently has apx. 860 pupils from around 30 nations which very much makes it an international, open-minded community that encourages diversity and the respectful exchange of ideas. Pupils are empowered to be self-reliant and to assume responsibility on a local level within an international context. The educational programme has specific emphasis on German language and culture and is supported by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Age range: 3 to 18 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: Bilingual Abitur and IB
Language of instruction: German and English
www.dslondon.org.uk; Douglas House, Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AH
With three locations to pick from (Westminster, Kensington and Hampstead), Southbank International School is one of the leading London IB schools and offers its students academic excellence and a uniquely liberal ethos. It fosters the belief that students should not only have a belief in themselves, but should also be open to the outside world and give back to communities on a local, national and global level.
Age range: 3-19 years (Kensington and Hampstead campuses 3-11 years, and Westminster campus 11-19 years)
Boarding: No
Curriculum: IB
Language of instruction: English
www.southbank.org; Kensington, Hampstead and Westminster locations
Marymount International School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Kingston upon Thames, founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1955. It is open to girls of all denominations and can be found on a 7-acre campus 12 miles from central London. It is the first all-girls’ school in the UK to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum (IB MYP and Diploma), and its students are inspired to learn in a creative, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and exploratory environment.
Age range: 11 to 18 years
Boarding: Yes, from 11 years.
Curriculum: IB.
Language of instruction: English.
www.marymountlondon.com; George Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7PE
Established in 2011, Collège Français Bilingue de Londres provides French-English bilingual education to 700 students aged 3 to 15 years old and tolerance and openness are central to its philosophy. The school provides students with an excellent education, underpinned by a special commitment to language learning and digital culture and children are encouraged to interact, be creative and take initiatives in a multicultural environment.
Age range: 3 to 15 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: British and French.
Language of instruction: English and French.
www.cfbl.org.uk/home; 87 Holmes Road, Kentish Town, London NW5 3AX
Lycée Francais de Charles de Gaulle de Londres has been offering world-class education for over a century, giving pupils from 3 to 18 years old the option of French, Bilingual and British curricula. LFCG is spread over the main site in South Kensington as well as three other primary school sites: André Malraux, Marie d'Orliac and Wix.
Age range: 3 to 18 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: French and British
Language of instruction: French and English
www.lyceefrancais.org.uk; 35 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DG
The International Community School is an IB World School in central London, ranked in the top 20% of UK schools. The school is an international day school located over two sites in the centre of London, close to Regent’s Park, and its personalised approach draws out students’ unique strengths as they carve out their path to success.
Age range: 3-18 years
Boarding: No
Curriculum: IB
Language of instruction: English
www.icschool.co.uk; Early Years & Primary Campus, 7B Wyndham Place, London W1H 1PN and Secondary & Diploma Campus, 21 Star Street, London W2 1QB
Instituto Espanol Vicente Canada Blanch is the only official Spanish Embassy international and multilingual school in London, and caters for students age 3 to 19 years. It offers a comprehensive education that encourages students to be free, critical, responsible, participatory and supportive individuals in society.
Age range: 3 to 19 years
Boarding: No
Curriculum: Spanish
Language of instruction: Spanish
www.vicentecanadablanch.educalab.es/home; 317-318 Portobello Road, London W10 5SZ
Svenska Skolan London is a private, not-for-profit school providing first-rate Swedish education from pre-school through to sixth form. SSL follows the Swedish curriculum and uses London as a tool to add an international dimension to its teaching. Class sizes are kept small and dedicated teachers help students realise their academic and personal potential in a friendly atmosphere.
Age range: 3 to 11 years
Boarding: No.
Curriculum: Swedish
Language of instruction: Swedish and English
www.swedishschool.org.uk/en; 82 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London SW13 9JS
Founded in 1977 L'Ecole de Petits is an independent pre-primary and primary school recognised as an Ecole Homologuée (approved school) by the French Education Authority (Ministère de l'Education Nationale). It welcomes pupils from all over the world and caters for English-speaking and French-speaking children and provides learning in both languages. Following the official French Education National curriculum, pupils can look forward to an education in a warm and friendly atmosphere in small classes where each child is encouraged to express themselves .
Age range: 3-11 years (Fulham, 3-6 years and Battersea, 3-11 years)
Boarding: No
Curriculum: French
Language of instruction: French and English www.lecoledespetits.co.uk; 2 Hazlebury Road, Fulham, London SW6 2NB and Trott Street, Battersea, London SW11 3DS
Good luck, folks!
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