Before moving to London, you’ll need to make some important choices, such as choosing your health insurance in London, which neighborhood to live in or which school to send your children to…
Something to think about before you leave
Choosing a school is always one of the first concerns of expatriate families when moving to London. The choice of schooling is unique and specific to each one, and to be able to orientate oneself, it is necessary to research and know all the possible scenarios, to understand the characteristics linked to each mode of schooling offered in London. They are many and varied, now more accessible, and generally open to bilingualism. Whether French, English, bilingual or international, which system is best suited to your child?
The French school network in London
If you wish to remain in the French system, you can take advantage of a varied offer that has expanded considerably in recent years, making London a unique place. Four schools, each offering a bilingual project in their own way, have opened their doors in the space of 7 years. As a result, the number of places available for students has grown considerably. How is English and French taught, what is the school’s project, what subjects are taught in English, these are just some of the questions you’ll have to answer.
State Schools and Independent Schools in London
Another option is to take advantage of London to enroll your child in one of the many state or private schools in England, where he or she will learn English through immersion, be exposed to another culture and benefit from teaching that promotes personal development, autonomy and self-confidence. The English system may seem rather complex to you, very heterogeneous in terms of academic level depending on the school, and expensive if you opt for a private school. That’s why, to choose the right school, you need first and foremost to: clearly determine your objectives and your means, know what values you want to pass on to your child, and have the right decision-making tools at hand, such as OFSTED or ISI reports, for example.
Choosing an international school
To complete the picture, why not opt for an international school ? These schools, which teach in English, will prepare your child for the International Baccalaureate program in primary and/or secondary school, and make him or her an asset for entry into American and Anglo-Saxon universities.
All these possibilities raise many questions, and deserve to be presented objectively and in depth, so that you can find THE right school for your child and your family situation, depending on the length of your expatriation to London, your place of residence in London, your budget and your children’s aspirations. That’s why avenuedesecoles.com is here to help you make the right choice. We’re very active in the field, in regular contact with the key players in London’s education scene, and up to date with the latest English and French education news, so we can answer all your questions. We can also guide you in your choice of after-schools or the selection of a vacation camp in England on a human scale and adapted to your children.
Sophie Guiroy-Meunier sophie@avenuedesecoles.com and Marie Boutry-Peyron marie@avenuedesecoles.com
