In 2013, four parents with backgrounds spanning energy, banking and charity sectors made a bold decision: they would create an international school unlike any other, rooted in the conviction that exceptional education could be achieved through collaboration, innovation and genuine community. That decision gave rise to Halcyon, the only not-for-profit International Baccalaureate school in London, housed on Seymour Place in Marylebone. From 34 students and six staff members in September 2013, the school has grown to nearly 200 pupils representing over 60 nationalities, yet retains the intimate, purposeful character its founders envisioned.
Academically, Halcyon stands firmly among the top-performing IB schools globally. In 2025, the most recent cohort achieved an average IB Diploma score of 35, exceeding both UK and world averages, with 24% achieving scores of 40 or above and 100% passing the Diploma. The school's A-level equivalent results place it in the top 10% of schools in England nationally (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting rigorous teaching and ambitious expectations. What distinguishes Halcyon, however, is not purely academic output but rather the deliberate fusion of intellectual challenge with genuine student agency, technological innovation with human connection, and rigorous IB pedagogy with a profound commitment to wellbeing.
The school occupies a sensitively converted central London building in one of the capital's most affluent quarters, within walking distance of Hyde Park and the British Museum. The campus itself reflects the school's dual commitment to both innovation and craft; classrooms feature interactive whiteboards and Apple TVs, whilst design and science laboratories are equipped with contemporary apparatus. The atmosphere here differs markedly from traditional British independent schools. There is an absence of hierarchical formality; instead, the culture privileges dialogue, student voice and what the school terms "cognitive coaching"—mentoring partnerships between staff and pupils trained in reflective questioning rather than directive instruction.
Jeff Lippman, who takes office as Director at the start of the 2025/26 school year, arrives from three decades in international schools across Brazil, Spain, France and the United States. A fluent Portuguese speaker with strong command of Spanish and French alongside English, his appointment signals the school's sustained commitment to its international outlook. The existing leadership team, strengthened by dedicated coordinators like Kerry Jenkins (IB MYP), have cultivated a culture where student wellbeing is not an afterthought but foundational. Each pupil is assigned a personal learning mentor who meets with them weekly; restorative practices emphasise dialogue and self-reflection over punishment; and the school operates on the principle that shared values, not rules, should guide behaviour.
The student body itself reflects the school's geographical and cultural positioning. Approximately 75% of students hold UK, US or EU passports, with a meaningful international contingent from across Asia, Europe and beyond. This composition means that navigating cultural difference and developing intercultural competence are lived experiences rather than curriculum objectives.
At A-level equivalent (IB Diploma), Halcyon achieves exceptional results. In 2025, 13% achieved A* (equivalent), 37% A, and 29% B grades, totalling 80% at A*-A-B. This significantly exceeds England's average of 47% at A*-B (FindMySchool data). The school ranks 259th in England for A-level equivalent results out of 2,649 sixth form programmes, placing it in the top 10% nationally (FindMySchool ranking, 10%ile). Local rankings place it sixth among Westminster schools offering sixth form programmes.
The three-year average IB Diploma score of approximately 33.8 points reflects a consistent commitment to rigorous assessment and high achievement. In 2025, two students achieved the maximum 45-point score, and students have progressed to prestigious Russell Group universities including Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, University College London, Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick and KCL. Beyond the UK, graduates have been accepted to leading American institutions including Dartmouth College, NYU, Tufts, Vassar College, Wake Forest University and Concordia University, alongside European programmes in product design, aerospace engineering and international relations.
The Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16) forms the foundation of all Halcyon education. The school emphasises breadth of study; all pupils study mathematics, English, a second language (typically Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Arabic or Hebrew from a suite of 12 options), social sciences, sciences, arts and physical education throughout the five years. The curriculum deliberately avoids the early specialism of the GCSE pathway, allowing students aged 11-16 to maintain intellectual flexibility and discover genuine academic passions rather than selecting subjects prematurely.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
79.52%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
Teaching at Halcyon rests upon three pillars: subject expertise, interdisciplinary thinking and technology integration. Staff are predominantly IB-trained and bring considerable international experience. Subject knowledge is deliberately deep; the curriculum invites students to interrogate complex, interconnected knowledge across disciplines. History is taught not as isolated events but as a lens through which to understand economics, geography, literature and philosophy. Science students engage in real-world research partnerships; environmental science pupils have conducted conservation research alongside scientists at London Zoo on Partula snail and hedgehog protection, directly witnessing the application of their classroom learning.
Technology permeates the learning environment without dominating it. The school is accredited as both a Google Reference School and an Apple Training Centre. All pupils from Year 10 upwards work on personal laptops or tablets; younger students use iPads. Critically, this is paired with a dedicated Digital Learning Coach who trains teachers in integrating technology meaningfully — whether through creating AI-generated artwork for Black History Month celebrations, curating virtual museum exhibits to demonstrate historical understanding, or deploying industry-standard tools like Logic Pro for music production and Canva for design. The objective is digital citizenship and critical thinking rather than mere device usage.
The holistic approach extends to how students are assessed. Entrance to the Diploma Programme is selective but thoughtful; the school does not rely on formal entrance examinations but rather examines school reports, teacher references and conducts interviews with both student and parents. The admissions philosophy reflects the school's broader pedagogy: the school seeks to understand "the whole person," recognising that academic potential does not always manifest in test scores and that personal readiness for the demanding IB Diploma is equally important as intellectual ability.
Class sizes are deliberately small, particularly at Diploma level. Average class sizes are 16 or fewer for the Middle Years Programme; Diploma classes average just six students, enabling truly personalised feedback and individualised curriculum pathways.
Halcyon's university guidance programme is comprehensive and begins early. The school employs a dedicated University and Careers Counselling Director, connected to university admissions offices worldwide. Students benefit from one-to-one and grade-level guidance, university visits, business networking, and application preparation workshops from Year 10 onwards.
In the 2025 cohort, leavers secured 96 university offers across prestigious institutions in London, the UK and internationally, with entry confirmed to six countries. Popular destinations in the UK include Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, University College London, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick and King's College London. North American placements include Dartmouth College, New York University, Tufts, Vassar College, Wake Forest University and Bentley University (with a $17,000 Dean's scholarship). European destinations include Istituto Europeo di Design (Product Design), TU Delft (Aerospace Engineering) and KU Leuven (European Studies).
The breadth of destinations reflects the school's commitment to supporting students' genuine ambitions rather than channelling them towards a single trajectory. Musicians have progressed to specialist institutions; engineers to technical universities; liberal arts students to American colleges; those pursuing creative fields to art schools and design institutes. This diversity within academic excellence is a hallmark of the school's approach.
The school term is divided into three trimesters rather than traditional terms, with the academic year running September to June and holidays interspersed. Beyond the classroom, engagement is extensive.
Halcyon's distinctive Explorations Programme offers pupils aged 11-15 a timetabled weekly slot to pursue genuine interests from a rotating roster of 34+ options. These range from traditional subjects (archaeology, creative writing) to unconventional activities (ice skating, horse riding, rock climbing, flamenco dancing) to technical pursuits (robotics, building wearable technology, app design, coding, artificial intelligence). The school surveys students annually to refresh offerings in response to evolving interests, allowing flexibility that traditional schools with set curricula cannot match.
The extracurricular programme is both ambitious and accessible. Named clubs and societies include the Model United Nations team, which hosts an annual two-day Halcyon MUN Conference for visiting schools and regularly attends MUNISH (Model United Nations at the International School of the Hague), where recent participants were nominated among the best delegates from 1,200+ attendees. The Law Society and Medics Club cater to students exploring those professions. The Global Issues Network Club and Eco Committee engage students in environmental and social action. The Debate Club teaches British Parliamentary style debate; participants develop argumentative rigour applicable to essays and Diploma assessments. Mathematics teams compete in competitions and challenges; a Scholars Programme provides additional extension for academically advanced pupils. The Halcyonite Magazine allows student journalists to publish school and community reporting.
Academic enrichment extends beyond formalised clubs. Grade 7 pupils have designed probability-learning exercises (building mini slot machines and wheels of fortune) and collected data from younger peers to test them. Grade 8 students wear Fitbits to record fitness data as part of science and physical health education units. Extended essays at Diploma level demonstrate remarkable intellectual range; past topics have ranged from Nietzsche's philosophical influence on Stanley Kubrick's filmmaking to the effect of circadian rhythm on troponin levels in the blood.
Music occupies a central place in school life. Students have access to a range of instruments for use in lessons and through peripatetic tuition. The curriculum includes industry-standard music production software (Logic Pro) taught at Diploma level. A school band performs in the annual music showcase; choir and ensemble opportunities exist across the year groups. The annual music festival provides a formal performance platform.
Theatre and drama similarly flourish. Students study theatre arts as part of the mandatory arts component of the Middle Years Programme; at Diploma level, theatre arts is offered as an elective alongside visual arts and music. Annual productions showcase student creativity across the year groups.
The school does not position itself as athletics-focused, reflecting its central London location and limited on-campus sporting facilities. Instead, it emphasises accessible physical activity and lifelong fitness. Physical education is compulsory until Year 10; Fit for Sport lunchtime sessions encourage active lifestyles. The school partners with surrounding leisure facilities: Seymour Leisure Centre (for rock-climbing, basketball, swimming), Westway football grounds, and local ice-skating rinks. Swimming, football, volleyball and basketball feature in the activity schedule. Students use Hyde Park, adjacent to the school, for outdoor lessons and PE. A sports programme run by external providers is available for those seeking more formalised training.
The school's philosophy here reflects the IB commitment to "learning in motion"—physical activity as integral to wellbeing rather than competitive achievement as the primary goal, though students can pursue elite pathways if desired.
Service as Action is a core requirement of the IB curriculum. Students engage in meaningful community and environmental initiatives throughout their time at the school. Leadership is developed through student council participation and regular feedback sessions that give pupils genuine voice in school decision-making.
Halcyon is an independent school. Fees for 2025/26 are £10,866 per term for Grades 6-9, £11,144 per term for Grade 10, and £11,360 per term for Grades 11-12. All fees are subject to VAT at 20%. Over an academic year (three terms), annual fees range from approximately £32,598 (Grades 6-9) to £34,080 (Grades 11-12). The school has held fees steady from 2024/25, reflecting its not-for-profit status and commitment to controlling costs.
Importantly, fees are comprehensive. Included are morning snacks and daily vegetarian lunches, annual residential trips to areas of outstanding natural beauty (such as the Lake District), examination fees, books, materials in subjects such as art and science, and access to many extracurricular clubs. There are no separate fees for examinations or Pamoja online courses. Additional optional costs include a digital device (iPad for Grades 6-9; laptop for Grades 10-12), digital applications (approximately £50 annually), PE kit (£15-£30 per item), optional trips (variable), a sports programme option (£100 per term), and the Halcyon Parent Community contribution (£40 annually). The Mother Tongue Programme, which allows students to study language of origin alongside school subjects, is available at variable cost depending on the language chosen.
The school recognises that fees are a significant commitment. As a not-for-profit institution established by parents specifically to widen access to the IB, Halcyon offers generous means-tested bursaries for academically high-attaining students who would not otherwise be able to attend. The school invites families to enquire directly about bursary eligibility and encourages those with financial concerns not to self-select out of the admissions process.
Fees data coming soon.
Applications are accepted rolling throughout the academic year, subject to availability in each year group. The admissions process is holistic and relationship-focused. Prospective families complete a parent questionnaire; the student submits a completed questionnaire, school reports covering a minimum of two to three previous years, transcripts and teacher references. The Halcyon Director and Admissions Office conduct interviews with both pupil and parent, aiming to understand family circumstances and educational philosophy compatibility.
The school does not typically require formal entrance tests. Instead, decisions rest on academic record, teacher references and an informal assessment if needed. For students with identified special educational needs, Halcyon requests detailed disclosure, including Educational Psychology Assessments or evaluations from social-emotional professionals. The school is transparent: it accepts those it believes it can support effectively. The school is described as skilled at spotting and addressing mild learning difficulties, with a SEND Learning Coach providing scaffolding and accommodations alongside staff development in inclusive practice. However, it cannot accommodate all needs; students with physical or medical disabilities are welcomed provided they can be safely and comfortably accommodated after reasonable adjustments, though the school notes that wheelchair access is limited to some areas.
The school operates on rolling admissions; families should enquire directly with the Admissions team regarding current availability by year group.
Pastoral care is conceptualised as a whole-school responsibility rather than confined to designated staff. The cornerstone is the personal learning mentor system; each student meets weekly with an assigned teacher mentor trained in cognitive coaching — a structured form of mentoring that emphasises reflective questioning and student problem-solving rather than adult direction.
The wellbeing programme integrates throughout school life. It includes social and emotional learning, restorative practice (dialogue, self-reflection, consideration of others), and development of student agency. The school operates on shared values rather than rules, mirroring what the leadership describes as "leading university and professional environments." Behaviour management emphasises restoration and learning rather than punishment.
Parent communication is valued; staff maintain regular contact regarding both progress and challenges. The Director maintains an open-door policy for parental concerns or questions. The school employs a dedicated Learning Coach who supports students with identified mild to moderate learning needs, providing scaffolds, strategies and accommodations both in-class and through targeted interventions.
Critically, the school has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted in previous inspections, and recently underwent ISI inspection in October 2024. The school reports that ISI found Halcyon meets all standards. The most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in March 2020, noted that "teachers are passionate about teaching their subjects at Halcyon" and that "strong subject knowledge permeates the curriculum and provides deeper meaning to concepts which straddle across different subjects."
Not suited to students seeking traditional British qualifications. Halcyon offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, not GCSEs or traditional A-levels. Families should be comfortable with the IB philosophy of interdisciplinary learning, continuous assessment and the absence of formal examinations at age 16. This is a significant pedagogical shift for families accustomed to the British system.
Requires genuine academic engagement and readiness. The IB Diploma is intellectually demanding. The school explicitly seeks students capable of thriving in this rigorous environment. Those arriving with strong test scores but limited intrinsic curiosity or self-direction may find the pace and expectation for independent work challenging. This is not a school for those seeking to coast; it is a school for those genuinely motivated to learn and grow.
Limited on-campus sporting facilities. Whilst the school makes excellent use of nearby leisure facilities and Hyde Park, those expecting a campus with multiple pitches, courts and pools should be realistic about the trade-offs of a central London location. Families prioritising elite sports pathways may find schools with more extensive facilities better suited.
Holistic admissions process requires authentic family engagement. The application involves parent and student interviews with the Director and Admissions team. The school is transparent about assessing fit alongside academic ability. Families should expect genuine conversations about educational philosophy, learning needs and circumstances rather than a transactional admissions process.
Halcyon represents an uncommon school: intellectually rigorous and ambitious, yet genuinely committed to the wellbeing, agency and voice of each student. The International Baccalaureate curriculum attracts internationally minded families and those prioritising critical thinking and interdisciplinary knowledge; the school's not-for-profit status and bursary commitment ensure it is not exclusively for the wealthy. Teaching is strong, university outcomes are impressive, and the culture — built deliberately through mentor systems, restorative practice and shared values — feels collaborative rather than hierarchical. Recent IB results averaging 35 points and progression to selective Russell Group and international universities demonstrate academic rigour; equally, student feedback emphasises belonging, genuine support and the freedom to explore diverse interests through the Explorations Programme.
Best suited to families seeking an intellectually challenging, values-driven IB education for students aged 11-18 who thrive in collaborative, student-centred learning environments and who are drawn to London's cultural richness and international diversity. The school is less ideal for those requiring traditional British qualifications, those prioritising competitive sports, or those seeking a traditional, hierarchical school structure. For the right family — one that values innovation, international outlook, genuine wellbeing alongside academic excellence, and has students ready to engage deeply with learning — Halcyon offers an exceptional educational experience.
Yes. Halcyon is rated Outstanding by Ofsted (2020 inspection) and meets all ISI standards (2024 inspection). IB Diploma results average 35 points, exceeding UK and world averages, with 80% achieving A*-A-B equivalent. The school ranks in the top 10% of schools in England for A-level equivalent results (FindMySchool data). Graduates progress to Russell Group universities including Imperial College London, LSE, University College London, and international institutions including Dartmouth College and NYU.
Halcyon teaches the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16) and Diploma Programme (ages 16-18), not GCSEs or traditional A-levels. The IB emphasises interdisciplinary learning, continuous assessment, student agency and critical thinking rather than end-of-year examinations. All students study a broad curriculum including languages, sciences, mathematics, humanities and arts until age 16, with no early subject specialisation. There are no formal examinations at age 16 (equivalent to GCSE level). This is a fundamentally different approach from the British system; families considering Halcyon should be comfortable with the IB philosophy.
Fees for 2025/26 are £10,866-£11,360 per term depending on year group, or approximately £32,600-£34,100 annually (plus 20% VAT). Fees are comprehensive and include morning snacks, daily vegetarian lunches, annual residential trips, books, materials, examination fees and access to many extracurricular clubs. Additional optional costs include digital devices, PE kit, optional trips and specialist programmes like Mother Tongue language study. The school offers generous means-tested bursaries for academically high-attaining students; families are encouraged to enquire without self-selecting based on cost concerns.
Halcyon does not position itself as a traditional sports-focused school; on-campus facilities are limited due to its central London location. The school partners with nearby leisure centres, football grounds and ice rinks for swimming, basketball, rock-climbing, football and other activities. Physical education is compulsory until Year 10; Fit for Sport sessions encourage active lifestyles. Beyond sport, the distinctive Explorations Programme offers 34+ activities ranging from horse riding and ice skating to robotics and archaeology. Additional clubs include Model United Nations, Debate Club, Law Society, Medics Club, Global Issues Network, Eco Committee and music/drama ensembles. The school encourages students to pursue genuine interests rather than conforming to a pre-set activity menu.
Yes. The school actively welcomes international students; approximately 75% of pupils hold UK, US or EU passports, with significant numbers from across Asia, Europe and beyond. The school offers a Mother Tongue Programme allowing students to study their language of origin alongside the school curriculum. Languages available include Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Icelandic, Hebrew, Norwegian, Portuguese, Dutch and Swedish. The school also operates an English Plus programme providing exceptional support for international students developing their English language skills.
The school employs a dedicated University and Careers Counselling Director connected to admissions offices worldwide. Students receive one-to-one and grade-level guidance, attend university visits, participate in business networking and complete application preparation workshops from Year 10 onwards. In the 2025 cohort, graduates secured 96 university offers at institutions in the UK, North America and Europe, including Imperial College London, LSE, University College London, Durham, Edinburgh, Dartmouth College, NYU and KU Leuven. The breadth of destinations reflects the school's commitment to supporting students' genuine ambitions rather than a narrow pathway.
Halcyon's admissions process is holistic and selective. The school does not rely on formal entrance tests; instead it examines school reports, teacher references and conducts interviews with both student and parents to understand academic readiness and fit. The school explicitly seeks students capable of thriving in the demanding IB environment. It is skilled at identifying and supporting mild learning difficulties but is transparent about accepting only those it believes it can support effectively. Rolling admissions operate throughout the year subject to availability; families should contact the Admissions team directly regarding current places.
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