L'Ecole des Petits School stands as one of England's pioneering bilingual pre-primary institutions, having earned recognition as the first independent école maternelle to gain AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) accreditation in 1997. This independent, mixed nursery and primary school in Fulham serves 107 pupils aged 2–6 across nursery and reception years, offering an immersive French-English curriculum that integrates the academic rigour of the French system with the developmental strengths of the English early years approach. The school achieved Outstanding across all areas in its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025, maintaining this top rating since 2017. Located at 2 Hazlebury Road, Fulham, SW6 2NB, the school has capacity for 141 pupils and is part of the Globeducate international schools network. Fees for 2025–2026 are £5,580 per term for nursery-age children and £6,564 per term for reception/Year 1, with sibling discounts and French Consulate grants available.
Founded in 2014 as part of the Globeducate network, L'Ecole des Petits emerged from a longer tradition of bilingual education in London, building on a heritage dating back to 1977 when similar French-English nurseries first opened in the capital. The school's mission centres on creating a "happy bilingual family community" where young children develop fluency in both French and English while building character through six core values: Respect, Achievement, Friendship, Curiosity, Resilience, and Open-mindedness.
Parents interviewed during the 2025 Ofsted inspection praised the school's warm, nurturing environment and the confidence it builds in young learners. The inspection report noted that children demonstrate exceptional behaviour and high motivation, reflecting an ethos that balances academic ambition with age-appropriate pastoral care. The school actively encourages parental involvement in cultural education, with families sharing their own cultures and traditions, fostering an inclusive international atmosphere.
As an AEFE-accredited institution, the school maintains close ties to the French education system and French cultural life in London, while its status as a registered independent school with the Department for Education ensures compliance with English early years standards. This dual identity shapes a distinctive atmosphere where French academic structure coexists with English creativity and flexibility.
L'Ecole des Petits delivers a bilingual curriculum that takes equal inspiration from the French national curriculum (programme de l'école maternelle) and the English Early Years Foundation Stage, tailored for children aged 2–6. Instruction is conducted in both French and English, with children immersed in both languages throughout the day. The school does not sit standard English primary assessments (SATs), as it operates as an independent school for pre-primary and early primary ages, and benefits from an exemption from Early Years Foundation Stage Profiles.
The March 2025 Ofsted inspection praised the school's academic provision, highlighting that children start learning English phonics early and become eager readers, supported by well-trained staff. Inspectors noted the success of the curriculum in implementing French academic rigour while developing artistic and sporting talents. The school's focus on foundational skills—literacy, numeracy, and language acquisition—prepares children for transition either to French Lycée schools or to mainstream English primary schools, with priority places offered at the school's sister institution, L'Ecole de Battersea, for those continuing in the bilingual system.
The school supports children with special educational needs through appropriate adaptations, ensuring full involvement in activities. Leaders demonstrated strong understanding of individual needs during the Ofsted inspection, with staff trained to identify and respond to learning differences early. The small class sizes and low pupil-to-teacher ratios typical of independent pre-primary schools enable personalised attention and responsive teaching.
The school's Fulham site at 2 Hazlebury Road offers purpose-built facilities designed for early years education, with classrooms organised to support the bilingual curriculum. Outdoor play space is a feature, reflecting the importance of physical development in both the French and English early years frameworks. Ofsted inspectors in 2025 noted that premises are maintained to a high standard, with enhanced hygiene practices in place.
Extracurricular life at L'Ecole des Petits includes after-school clubs, drama sessions, and regular school assemblies that celebrate children's achievements and foster a sense of community. The school provides a library, encouraging early literacy in both languages, and offers before-school and after-school care to accommodate working families. Art, music, and sports instruction are included in the core fees, with specialist teachers delivering sessions in both languages.
The school runs a dedicated lunch programme, with meals provided on site for approximately £210 per term. School bus services are available to help families manage the Fulham location.
Admissions to L'Ecole des Petits are managed directly by the school and do not follow local authority allocation procedures, as it is an independent school. Families are encouraged to contact the admissions team at admissions@lecoledespetits.co.uk or by calling 020 7371 8350 to arrange school visits and register their child's interest. Open days are held regularly throughout the year to introduce prospective families to the school's bilingual approach.
With 107 pupils currently on roll and capacity for 141, the school operates below full capacity, suggesting that places are generally accessible, though demand for bilingual nursery provision in London is consistently strong. Admissions are typically made on a first-come, first-served basis, with no formal entrance assessments for children aged 2–3. The school looks for families who are committed to the bilingual ethos and who will engage with the school's French-English cultural programme.
There are no published catchment area restrictions or distance-from-school criteria, and the school draws families from across west and southwest London. Many families are drawn by the school's AEFE accreditation and the continuity it offers with French education, either for expatriate families or bilingual households seeking a French-English foundation.
Parents should note that the school does not accept local authority nursery grants due to its exemption from Early Years Foundation Stage Profiles, but it does accept childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare payments for children aged 3–4.
L'Ecole des Petits School offers an exceptional start for families seeking genuinely bilingual French-English early education in London. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating, maintained since 2017 and reaffirmed in 2025, reflects strong leadership, high-quality teaching, and a nurturing environment where young children thrive academically and socially. The school's dual accreditation—by both AEFE and the Department for Education—ensures that the curriculum meets rigorous standards in both French and English educational traditions, giving families confidence that their children receive a balanced, internationally recognised foundation.
For bilingual families, French expatriates, or Anglophone parents who value multilingualism, the school provides a rare combination of French academic structure and English early years warmth. The integration of both systems is thoughtful rather than superficial, with children developing literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking in two languages from the earliest stages. The small cohort size (currently 107 pupils) ensures that each child is known individually, and the school's emphasis on character values—Respect, Achievement, Friendship, Curiosity, Resilience, and Open-mindedness—creates a supportive community atmosphere.
Fees are at the upper end of the London independent nursery market, at £5,580 to £6,564 per term depending on the child's age, but this reflects the specialist bilingual provision, small class sizes, and the school's prime Fulham location. Sibling discounts and French Consulate education grants offer some relief for families with multiple children or those eligible for assistance.
The main consideration for prospective families is the school's age range: children leave at age 6, typically transitioning to L'Ecole de Battersea (where priority places are offered) or to other primary schools. Families should plan ahead for this transition and consider whether they wish to continue in the bilingual system or move to mainstream English or French schools.
Overall, L'Ecole des Petits School is a standout choice for families prioritising bilingual education, early language immersion, and a strong academic-pastoral balance. It suits those who value the rigour of the French system, the creativity of the English approach, and the opportunity for children to become confident, curious bilingual learners before formal primary education begins.
Yes, L'Ecole des Petits School is an Outstanding school according to Ofsted's most recent inspection in March 2025. It has maintained this top rating since 2017, with inspectors praising exceptional behaviour, strong academic foundations, well-trained staff, and a curriculum that successfully combines French rigour with English developmental strengths. The school is also accredited by AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), recognising its alignment with French educational standards globally. Parents consistently commend the school for building confidence and academic skills in a warm, bilingual environment.
Admissions to L'Ecole des Petits School are managed directly by the school. Prospective families should contact the admissions team at admissions@lecoledespetits.co.uk or call 020 7371 8350 to register their child's interest and arrange a school visit. The school holds regular open days throughout the year. Admissions are typically on a first-come, first-served basis, with no formal entrance assessments for nursery-age children. Families are encouraged to apply early, as places for bilingual nursery provision in London are in demand.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, fees are £5,580 per term for Petite Section (nursery, age 3) and £6,564 per term for Moyenne and Grande Sections (reception/Year 1, ages 4–6). Fees are payable by the end of the first week of each term and include art, music, and sports instruction. Optional extras include school lunch (approximately £210 per term) and before/after-school care (from £50 per term). The school offers sibling discounts (15% for a third child, 20% for a fourth child) and accepts childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare payments. French Consulate education grants are also available for eligible families.
Yes, L'Ecole des Petits School is a bilingual French-English school. The curriculum integrates the French national programme de l'école maternelle with the English Early Years Foundation Stage, and children are taught in both languages throughout the day. The school is accredited by AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), ensuring alignment with French educational standards, and is registered with the Department for Education as an independent school in England. Children develop fluency and literacy in both French and English from age 2, preparing them for transition to either French Lycée schools or English primary schools.
L'Ecole des Petits School accepts children from age 2 to age 6, covering nursery and reception/early primary years. The school offers Petite Section (nursery, age 3), Moyenne Section (reception, age 4), and Grande Section (Year 1 equivalent, age 5–6). Children typically leave at age 6, with priority places offered at the school's sister institution, L'Ecole de Battersea, which continues bilingual education up to age 11.
Yes, the school offers sibling discounts for families with multiple children enrolled: 15% reduction on fees for a third child and 20% reduction for a fourth child. While formal sibling priority for admissions is not explicitly stated, the school's community ethos and direct admissions process suggest that siblings of current pupils are welcomed, and families are encouraged to discuss their needs with the admissions team.
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