The Lycée occupies a substantial campus in South Kensington opposite the Natural History Museum, a location steeped in wartime history. During the Second World War, when pupils and staff evacuated to Cumberland, the London buildings became offices for General de Gaulle's Free French government in exile. Today, the school serves approximately 3,450 pupils aged 2-19 across its main campus and three satellite primary schools in Fulham, Ealing, and Clapham. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded the school an overall rating of Good, with Outstanding recognition specifically for quality of education and early years provision. This represents significant recovery following the November 2022 inspection that had rated the school Inadequate due to safeguarding concerns. The school operates under the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE), with its curriculum accredited by the French National Ministry of Education and overseen by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Once past the gates at Cromwell Road, the atmosphere speaks of purposeful, cosmopolitan energy. The school occupies a substantial site assembled gradually from the 1930s onwards, with the main building designed in Neo-Georgian style by A.J. Thomas, who trained under the celebrated architect Edwin Lutyens. Students emerge from lessons speaking French and English interchangeably, moving between the Victorian and modern structures that comprise the campus. The student body is genuinely international, drawing families from France, the UK, and across the globe who value bilingual education. The atmosphere has been described as containing contradictions; simultaneously tough, laissez-faire, and large, yet caring, disciplined, and friendly. Pupil engagement is described as high, with students characterised as animated and engaged even at the end of the day.
Catherine Bellus-Ferreira has led the school as Headmistress since September 2023. She arrived with extensive experience from France, becoming a head in 2003 and later directing schools in Normandy and elsewhere. Her appointment signalled the school's commitment to maintaining French educational standards whilst strengthening safeguarding and governance structures. The school's values emphasise innovation, diversity, and preparing students to understand the contemporary world in a caring, supportive environment.
The school benefits from its proximity to London's cultural institutions. The adjacent Grade II listed French Institute houses the Ciné Lumière, and the Alliance Française and French Embassy are nearby, creating a distinctive Franco-British cultural hub. The school has served as a polling station for French expatriate voters in French elections, reflecting its importance to London's French-speaking community.
The British Section, which serves English-speaking pupils in secondary classes, achieved 60% of entries at grades 9-7 in 2025, with 48% securing A*/A at A-level and 70% achieving A*-B. These figures place the school's British Section within the top 10% of schools for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking: 116th in England, national high). The school ranks 1st in Kensington and Chelsea for A-level results.
At GCSE level, the school ranks 12th locally in Kensington and Chelsea, though the independent school sector does not participate in the standardised performance tables that rank state schools. The Attainment 8 score of 5.0 reflects the school's focus on breadth across eight qualifications.
The majority of pupils follow the French curriculum, leading to the Diplôme National du Brevet and the Baccalauréat. Success rates are exceptional: 100% pass the Brevet with over 74% achieving honours, and 100% pass the Baccalauréat with 67% achieving honours. In 2021, 69% achieved the highest distinction (Très Bien), with 98.7% of students receiving some form of honours recognition.
In 2025, leavers secured places at leading universities across the UK and Europe. Destinations included UCL (21 students), University of Bath (21), Warwick (16), King's College London (11), Queen Mary (8), Imperial College (5), Exeter (5), Edinburgh (4), UAL (4), Bristol (4), LSE (4), St Andrews (4), Oxford (3), and Cambridge (2), plus additional universities. This demonstrates strong progression to Russell Group institutions and competitive universities. The school's bilingual graduates are particularly sought by universities valuing international perspectives and linguistic proficiency.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
82.98%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The school operates two parallel curricula, enabling families to choose their educational pathway. The French Section follows the French national curriculum, emphasising mastery of foundational subjects including mathematics, sciences, and modern languages through sequential, content-heavy instruction designed to build analytical proficiency and logical reasoning from primary level onwards. The British Section, led by specialist staff, focuses on UK examination boards and prepares pupils for GCSEs and A-levels.
Both sections coexist on the South Kensington campus, sharing access to communal facilities, laboratories, and extracurricular offerings. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection found that the curriculum is highly ambitious, with the school setting ambitious endpoints in different subjects so that pupils achieve highly at each stage of their educational journey. The school prepares pupils well for their chosen future pathway in the sixth form and beyond.
Teaching is rigorous and follows clear structures. The inspection confirmed that most teachers explain concepts well, with strong subject knowledge evident across disciplines. From age three, the curriculum includes intensive language lessons and informal conversational learning on the playground, in the cafeteria, and during extracurricular activities. Additional foreign languages become compulsory at secondary level, with options including Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic, delivered by native-speaking instructors. This dual-language immersion approach develops multilingual proficiency without compromising curricular integrity in either system.
Following the November 2022 Ofsted inspection, which identified safeguarding concerns, the school has implemented comprehensive improvements. The October 2024 inspection confirmed that safeguarding and pupil safety are now given high priority. Leaders have made effective changes, creating a culture of protection within the school. Staff have received enhanced training, documentation processes have been improved, and risk assessment procedures are now stricter.
The school employs a part-time educational psychologist and part-time speech and language therapist on site. SEND support is handled individually, led by form tutors and heads of year in liaison with specialist professionals. Pupils report feeling safe, and behaviour is calm and consistent. Bullying is rare, and when issues arise, the school addresses them effectively.
The school offers extensive extracurricular provision, with clubs and activities running during extended lunchtimes and staggered breaks to accommodate the school's full timetable. Named clubs and societies include Club Lecture, a reading and writing workshop limited to 10 students; Justice au Coeur, a student-founded charity with official status since 2018 that raises awareness of global inequalities; and the Classe de Défense, a defence and civic studies programme that organises trips such as the recent visit to Bordeaux. The school's Eco-Delegates programme, established since 2018, engages pupils in environmental projects and sustainability initiatives. The school achieved level 3-Expert E3D/EFE3D accreditation in 2020-2021 for its commitment to sustainable development.
Sports provision is significant. The school's sports association enables participation in volleyball, basketball, football, rugby, badminton, gymnastics, and table tennis for students from Year 7 to Year 13, with opportunities for both leisure and competitive play. Students can join the Kensington and Chelsea hockey team for the London Youth Games, with training on Wednesday evenings. Collégiens travel off site weekly (roughly 45 minutes by coach) to use external facilities. The school participates in inter-school competitions with British institutions, broadening the sporting experience beyond the urban South Kensington campus.
Music is central to school life. There is an active art department and a school orchestra. The school participates in the Orchestre des Lycées Français du Monde (Orchestra of French Schools Worldwide), now in its ninth season, demonstrating connection to the global network of French lycées. An annual concert takes place at Cadogan Hall, a prestigious London venue. The school's music ensembles provide opportunities for pupils to develop performance skills within a rigorous yet accessible framework.
Drama flourishes across the school. Pupils put on plays, predominantly in French, and the school has access to the Institut's theatre, now the Ciné Lumière, for major productions. The school's commitment to arts education is reflected in its curriculum structure and the prominence of creative subjects.
STEM activities include clubs focused on science and ecology. The school runs projects such as Projet Voltaire, which engaged over 500 students in linguistic and cultural activities, and Radio Malraux, a student-led media initiative at the Ealing primary school. The school's commitment to environmental science is demonstrated through the Eco-Delegates programme and partnerships with organisations promoting scientific literacy.
Duke of Edinburgh Award participation begins in Year 9 (3ème), with pupils able to progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. This well-established programme provides structured personal development alongside academic study.
This active network maintains institutional connections and provides mentoring and professional networking for former pupils.
Fees vary by year group and curriculum section. The school website provides detailed fee schedules. Meals are typically included in the fee structure, with the dining package chosen at the beginning of the school year remaining valid for the entire year and not subject to change. Additional costs include exam fees for the Brevet, EAF (oral examination for first-year pupils), and the Baccalauréat, as well as library books and materials, which vary by year group.
Welfare grants and bursaries are available for families meeting eligibility criteria. The school's parent association and a registered charity also provide financial support. French families may be eligible for AEFE bursaries awarded by the French Consulate, which are means-tested and available for all pupils from nursery through to Year 13. The application campaign for AEFE bursaries typically opens in February for the following academic year.
The school's fees have increased in recent years but remain competitive compared to other independent schools in London. Parents should verify current fee levels directly with the admissions office, as fees are subject to annual review.
Fees data coming soon.
The school operates a pre-registration system via Skolengo, the school's online platform. Pre-registration is entirely free of charge. The Initial Registration Fee (DPI) is payable only once a place has been accepted and is non-refundable. The school year is divided into three terms: September-December (four months), January-March (three months), and April-June (three months). Fees are due in full for each term attended or partially attended.
The school is oversubscribed, reflecting strong demand from families seeking bilingual education. Families should register well in advance, typically one to two months before their anticipated entry date. The admissions process involves assessment of the child's current provision, home circumstances, and transition planning. Transition can be gradual, sometimes taking a full term, particularly for younger pupils or those new to the French curriculum.
For families seeking entry into the British Section, English proficiency is required, and students typically join at Year 7 (6ème) or later. The British Section operates as a separate track within the school, with dedicated teaching staff and UK examination pathways, whilst sharing facilities and extracurricular opportunities with the French Section.
School hours: The main campus operates with a full day structure. The school day typically runs from morning lessons through to afternoon sessions, with extended lunchtimes during which clubs and activities are scheduled.
Transport: The school is located opposite the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, with excellent transport links. South Kensington Underground Station (Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines) is immediately adjacent. The location is accessible by bus, and the school is within walking distance of numerous residential areas in Kensington, Chelsea, and surrounding boroughs. For pupils attending the satellite primary schools in Fulham, Ealing, and Clapham, transport arrangements vary; parents should contact the individual schools for details.
Wraparound care: The school operates extended lunch periods and staggered breaks during which clubs and activities run. Before and after-school care arrangements should be confirmed directly with the school.
Dual curricula complexity. The school offers two distinct educational pathways: the French curriculum leading to the Brevet and Baccalauréat, and the British Section leading to GCSEs and A-levels. Families must decide which pathway aligns with their long-term plans, whether repatriation to France or UK higher education. The choice is significant and should be made carefully, as switching between sections is not straightforward.
Bilingual immersion demands. The French Section operates predominantly in French from age three. Whilst English is taught, pupils must be comfortable with French-language instruction across all subjects. Families without prior French language experience should be prepared for intensive language acquisition alongside other learning.
Recent safeguarding improvements. The school faced significant safeguarding concerns in the November 2022 Ofsted inspection, which resulted in an Inadequate rating. Whilst the October 2024 inspection confirmed that effective changes have been made and safeguarding is now a priority, families may wish to review the detailed inspection reports to understand the nature of concerns and improvements implemented.
Independent school status. As an independent school, entry is selective and dependent on available places. The school is oversubscribed, and admission is not guaranteed. Families should register early and understand the admissions timeline.
Location and urban setting. The school occupies an urban campus in South Kensington with limited outdoor space. Playground space doubles as a sports pitch, and external sports facilities require a coach journey once weekly. This suits families comfortable with urban school environments but may not appeal to those seeking spacious grounds.
London’s Charles de Gaulle Lycée Français offers a distinctive bilingual model, drawing on more than a century of Franco‑British tradition. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection confirmed Outstanding quality in education and early years provision, following comprehensive improvements to safeguarding. For families seeking a rigorous, internationally-minded education with genuine bilingual immersion, the school delivers. Strong university destinations, exceptional Baccalauréat results, and access to a global network of French lycées create genuine value.
The school is best suited to families committed to bilingual education, with clear intentions regarding their child's future pathway (French repatriation or UK higher education). The school's cosmopolitan atmosphere, cultural richness, and academic ambition appeal to sophisticated, well-travelled families who value linguistic proficiency and global perspective. Entry is competitive, and families should expect to engage with the school's admissions process well in advance.
The school was rated Good overall by Ofsted in October 2024, with Outstanding recognition for quality of education and early years provision. This represents significant improvement following safeguarding concerns identified in November 2022. At A-level, the British Section ranks 116th (top 10% in England), with 48% achieving A*/A. The French Section achieves 100% pass rates for the Baccalauréat with 67% honours. University destinations include leading institutions such as UCL, Warwick, Edinburgh, Imperial College, and Cambridge. The school is one of the most academically successful French schools abroad.
Fees vary by year group and curriculum section (French or British). The school operates on a three-term basis with fees payable per term. The Initial Registration Fee (DPI) is payable only upon acceptance of a place and is non-refundable. Meals are typically included. Welfare grants and bursaries are available for eligible families, including AEFE bursaries for French families. Parents should contact the admissions office for current fee schedules, as fees are subject to annual review.
The school is oversubscribed, reflecting strong demand for bilingual education. Families must pre-register via Skolengo, the school's online platform. Pre-registration is free, but the Initial Registration Fee becomes payable only upon acceptance of a place. Families should register one to two months before their anticipated entry date. Admission is not guaranteed, and places are allocated based on availability and the school's admissions criteria.
The French Section follows the French national curriculum throughout, leading to the Diplôme National du Brevet and the Baccalauréat. Instruction is predominantly in French. The British Section, serving English-speaking pupils from Year 7 onwards, prepares students for GCSEs and A-levels with instruction primarily in English. Both sections share facilities, laboratories, and extracurricular activities, fostering cross-cultural interaction. The choice between sections should reflect families' long-term educational and career intentions.
The school has an active art department and school orchestra participating in the Orchestre des Lycées Français du Monde (ninth season). An annual concert takes place at Cadogan Hall. Drama is prominent, with pupils performing plays predominantly in French, using the Institut's theatre (Ciné Lumière). The school offers Club Lecture (reading and writing workshop), and students participate in Projet Voltaire (linguistic and cultural activities). Music tuition is available, though specific details should be confirmed with the school.
The school's sports association offers volleyball, basketball, football, rugby, badminton, gymnastics, and table tennis for Year 7-13 pupils. Participation is available for both leisure and competitive play, including inter-school competitions with British institutions. Students can join the Kensington and Chelsea hockey team for the London Youth Games. The school participates in the UNSS (French school sports federation) cross-country championships. The urban campus provides limited on-site space, so external facilities are essential for the sports programme.
The school's alumni include Sir Quentin Blake (illustrator, artist, and cartoonist), Natasha Richardson (actress), Gyles Brandreth (former Conservative MP and broadcaster), Joan Juliet Buck (Paris Vogue editor and writer), Paloma Picasso (fashion designer), and Dominic Grieve (former Conservative politician). An active alumni association, Les Anciens (LFCG London), organises annual events and supports a charitable foundation for current students.
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