How many primary international schools in London
Greater London hosts roughly 60 international and bilingual primary schools, defined as schools that offer a curriculum other than the English National Curriculum from reception through Year 6 or equivalent. The figure is small relative to the city's overall primary estate but accounts for the most-applied-to private primary places in the country.
The cluster splits into three groups. Around 25 are dedicated international primaries running the IB Primary Years Programme or an American or Canadian elementary programme, including the lower divisions of Southbank, ASL, ACS, ICS, ISL and Marymount. About 18 are national-curriculum bilingual primaries from the French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Scandinavian sectors. The remaining 17 are UK independent preparatory schools that have added an IB PYP or international stream alongside the traditional Common Entrance route. The DfE counts these schools collectively as serving around 21,000 primary-age children.
Curriculum split: PYP, English and bilingual
The big curriculum choice at London primary is whether to enter the UK preparatory school system that ends with the 11-plus or 13-plus Common Entrance examinations, or to enter an international system that runs continuous through to age 18. The PYP option, currently in use at Southbank, ISL, ICS, Marymount and a small but growing cluster of UK independent prep schools, blurs the line. The American elementary track, anchored by ASL and the ACS lower divisions, keeps families on an obviously continuous K through 12 model.
Bilingual primary is the third option. The Lycee primaire teaches the French national curriculum to roughly 1,400 children at South Kensington alone, the largest French primary in Europe outside Paris. Deutsche Schule London Petersham, the Japanese School in West Acton and Vicente Canada Blanch run equivalents for German, Japanese and Spanish families. For a wider view of the bilingual market see our London bilingual hub.
Need help choosing a London primary?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three London primary schools based on your child's year group, your borough, your preferred curriculum and your fee budget.
Fees and the London tiers
London primary fees divide into three tiers. The value tier at GBP 18,400 to GBP 22,000 covers the embassy-funded national curriculum schools, including the Lycee primaire and the German School, plus a small number of UK independent preps with international streams in outer London. The mid tier at GBP 22,000 to GBP 26,800 covers most of the established international primaries, including Southbank Hampstead, ICS London primary, ISL Chiswick and Marymount junior. The premium tier at GBP 26,800 to GBP 32,600 covers ASL lower, ACS Cobham lower and the most central UK independent prep schools.
Registration fees of GBP 250 to GBP 500 are non-refundable. Acceptance deposits worth one term of fees are standard. The 15-hour government early years entitlement does not apply at primary level. For a deeper fee analysis see our London fees deep dive.
Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has been running its primary stage for at least 15 years and produces year-on-year published outcomes.
The American School in London Lower School in St John's Wood is the largest single American elementary in Europe at around 540 children from K1 through grade 4. It feeds directly into ASL middle and high school on the same site.
Southbank International School Hampstead runs the IB PYP from age 3 to 11. It is one of the IB's earliest London PYP authorisations and acts as the primary feeder for Southbank Westminster and Kensington at the secondary stage.
ICS London Primary in Lambeth offers the IB PYP from age 3 to 11 with one of the most internationally diverse primary cohorts in the city, roughly 50 nationalities at any given time.
Lycee Charles de Gaulle Primaire in South Kensington teaches the French national curriculum to around 1,400 primary children, the largest French primary in Europe outside metropolitan France.
International School of London Primary in Chiswick runs the IB PYP with a particularly strong language acquisition programme, important for the many families who arrive mid-year with limited English.
Where primary families live
London primary families cluster around the same belts that anchor the secondary cluster, but the catchment is tighter because parents do not yet trust their children on the Tube. St John's Wood, Hampstead and Belsize Park for the ASL, Southbank Hampstead and Lycee Wix communities. South Kensington, Chelsea and Notting Hill for Lycee primaire, the French petite section network and the central UK prep schools. Chiswick, Acton and Ealing for ISL Primary and the German cluster around Petersham. Wimbledon, Putney and Barnes for King's College School Wimbledon prep and Ibstock Place junior. The Surrey commuter belt around Cobham and Esher supports ACS Cobham lower and TASIS junior for families willing to trade central living for green space.
Admissions calendar
Reception entry at UK independent prep schools follows the formal admissions cycle: registration 12 to 24 months ahead, assessments in the autumn before entry, offers in January or February. The most over-subscribed central London preparatory schools effectively close their reception lists at birth.
International primary entry is more flexible. Southbank, ICS, ISL, ACS and Marymount run rolling admissions across primary year groups, with a main intake in September supplemented by January and Easter starts for relocating families. The Lycee, German School and Spanish School follow continental enrolment cycles with main entry in April for September. Mid-year entry at primary level is straightforward at the international cluster but rare at UK prep schools.
Frequently asked questions
How many international primary schools are there in London?
Greater London has roughly 60 primary schools that offer a curriculum other than the English National Curriculum, ranging from full IB PYP settings to bilingual national curriculum schools and UK preparatory schools with international streams.
What ages do London primary schools cover?
Primary in London usually covers reception through Year 6, ages 4 to 11. American elementary covers K1 through grade 5, ages 5 to 10. The Lycee primaire covers CP through CM2, ages 6 to 11.
How much do international primary schools in London cost?
Annual primary fees run from about GBP 18,400 at the embassy-funded national curriculum schools to GBP 32,600 at the most premium American and IB primaries. The median is around GBP 24,500.
Should I choose an IB PYP school or a UK preparatory school?
PYP schools work best for families likely to remain internationally mobile and who plan to continue through to the IB Diploma at sixth form. UK preparatory schools work best for families committed to the 11-plus or 13-plus pipeline into Common Entrance senior schools.
When should I apply for a London primary?
Apply 12 to 24 months ahead for reception at UK independent prep schools. International primaries run rolling admissions but the main intake is September. Mid-year entry is normal at international primaries and rare at UK preps.
