How many British schools in Warsaw
Warsaw has roughly twelve schools running an English National Curriculum or Cambridge International programme in 2026, the strongest British curriculum cluster in Central Europe. The British School Warsaw in Wilanow is the largest single British curriculum provider in the city and the only British international school running the full English primary and senior school pathway with both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form. Akademeia High School in Wilanow is a sixth form only academic high school running A Level alongside the Diploma. The Thames British School network runs four campuses across Warsaw delivering the English National Curriculum from Reception through Year 13. Several mid tier and value tier schools deliver Cambridge Primary, IGCSE and A Level either as a standalone pathway or alongside a bilingual Polish English curriculum.
The Warsaw British curriculum market has matured rapidly since the mid 2010s in response to the post Brexit relocation of UK origin professional households into Polish multinational headquarters and shared services functions, and to growing demand from Polish families for an internationally portable English language pathway. Cohort sizes vary widely. BSW runs around 1,000 students from age 3 to 18. Akademeia runs around 400 senior students. Thames British School runs roughly 800 students across its four campuses. The smaller providers run 150 to 350 students each.
Fees and the Warsaw tiers
British curriculum school fees in Warsaw divide into three rough tiers, all materially below the equivalent quality in London, Edinburgh or the British international school markets in Western Europe. The premium tier sits at PLN 65,000 to PLN 110,000 a year at senior level (EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,500), covering the British School Warsaw and Akademeia High School. The mid tier runs PLN 40,000 to PLN 65,000 (EUR 9,500 to EUR 15,000), covering the established Thames British School senior years and several credible smaller providers. The value tier runs PLN 18,000 to PLN 40,000 (EUR 4,200 to EUR 9,500), covering the bilingual Polish English primary schools and the lower year groups of the mid tier providers.
A Level external examination fees are typically charged separately at PLN 3,500 to PLN 8,000 per pupil across Year 12 and Year 13. Registration fees are non refundable and run PLN 500 to PLN 2,500. Capital levies are uncommon at Warsaw schools, although BSW and Akademeia charge a one off enrolment deposit of one term’s fees, refundable on departure subject to notice. School transport at PLN 8,000 to PLN 14,000 a year is standard for families outside the immediate school catchment, with BSW running its own bus network across the southern Warsaw suburbs. For the full picture see our Warsaw international school fees explainer.
Choosing a British school in Warsaw?
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Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each runs a recognised English National Curriculum or Cambridge International programme with at least eight years of operating history in Warsaw.
British School Warsaw (BSW) in Wilanow is the largest British international school in Warsaw at around 1,000 students from age 3 to 18. English National Curriculum at primary, Cambridge IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11, and both A Level and IB Diploma in parallel at sixth form. Stable British educated faculty, a strong university counselling team and a credible track record of UK Russell Group and Oxbridge placements. Premium tier fees.
Akademeia High School in Wilanow is a sixth form only academic high school running A Level alongside the IB Diploma with around 400 senior students. Highly selective entry at Year 10 and Year 12. Mean A Level grade profile of A and A* dominated for the top quartile, with strong Oxbridge and Ivy League placements. Premium tier fees and a notable Polish national cohort alongside the international intake.
Thames British School runs four Warsaw campuses (Mokotow, Wilanow, Bemowo and Praga) delivering the English National Curriculum from Reception through Year 13. Around 800 students across the network. Mid tier fees and a strong fit for families seeking the British curriculum at materially lower fees than BSW. The Wilanow campus is the most academically established.
Willowy School in Wilanow is a premium British boarding and day school in the south of Warsaw, delivering the English National Curriculum with strong emphasis on stretch and enrichment. A smaller cohort than BSW with around 350 students and a tight community feel. Premium tier fees.
Where British origin families live
British origin families in Warsaw cluster in two main areas, shaped by school location and the city’s commuting geography. Wilanow, in the south of central Warsaw, is the single largest British family pocket, anchored by BSW, Akademeia and Willowy. The Miasteczko Wilanow residential development is the most popular single area for British senior secondary families, offering modern apartment and townhouse stock close to BSW and the metro extension that has shortened the commute into the city centre. The traditional Wilanow palace district hosts a smaller cluster of larger family houses popular with the long stay British diplomatic community.
Mokotow and Sluzewiec, north of Wilanow, host the British families attached to the Thames British School Mokotow campus and the smaller mid tier providers. Strong connections to the city’s financial district make this the preferred area for dual working British professional households. Saska Kepa on the right bank hosts a smaller British family cluster popular with diplomats and senior expat households on shorter Warsaw assignments. Smaller British family communities sit in Powisle and Mokotow Polna close to the central business district. See the Warsaw city hub and our best areas to live in Warsaw for the full residential map.
Admissions calendar
Premium British curriculum schools in Warsaw open the registration cycle in October for the following September. Applications close in January and February with assessments running through the same window. BSW runs a structured admissions assessment combining English language proficiency testing, mathematics screening and a parent interview. Akademeia runs a more intensive selection process for Year 10 and Year 12 entry, including subject specific written assessments and an interview. Thames British School runs a continuous rolling admissions cycle.
The most over-subscribed entry points are Reception at BSW, where waitlists at the most popular dates can reach six to twelve months, and Year 12 at Akademeia. Year 7 entry at BSW is competitive but more flexible than the equivalent at the international IB schools, given the larger cohort size. Mid year entry into Year 1 to Year 10 is common because of expatriate movement, particularly in January for families relocating during the British Christmas window and in April for families moving on the academic year cycle. For relocation context see our moving to Warsaw with children guide and the wider Warsaw IB hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many British curriculum schools are there in Warsaw?
Warsaw has roughly twelve schools running an English National Curriculum or Cambridge International programme in 2026. The British School Warsaw is the largest single British curriculum provider in the city. Akademeia High School runs an A Level pathway alongside the IB Diploma. Thames British School runs a multi campus network across Warsaw.
Do Warsaw British schools follow the English National Curriculum?
Most Warsaw British schools follow the English National Curriculum at primary and lower secondary, transitioning to Cambridge IGCSE at Year 10 and Year 11 and Cambridge or Edexcel A Level at Year 12 and Year 13. The British School Warsaw and Akademeia run the most established A Level cohorts in the city.
How much do British curriculum schools in Warsaw cost?
Premium British curriculum schools in Warsaw charge PLN 65,000 to PLN 110,000 per year at senior level (EUR 15,000 to EUR 25,500). The mid tier sits at PLN 40,000 to PLN 65,000 and the value tier runs PLN 18,000 to PLN 40,000. A Level external examination fees are typically charged separately at PLN 3,500 to PLN 8,000 per pupil.
Are Warsaw British schools good for repatriation to the UK?
Yes. Warsaw British curriculum schools deliver the English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE and A Level to standards recognised by all UK universities and independent schools. UCAS recognises Polish issued A Level grades on the same basis as UK issued grades, and repatriating families typically transfer mid year into UK independent and selective state schools with no curriculum gap.
When should I apply for a British school in Warsaw?
Apply 6 to 12 months ahead for Reception entry at the British School Warsaw, where waitlists at the most popular dates can reach six to twelve months. Year 12 A Level entry at BSW and Akademeia opens in October of the preceding year with most subject combinations confirmed by March. Mid year entry into Year 1 to Year 10 is common.
