At a glance
Curriculum and academics
The German School London teaches the German national curriculum in German, so it is the natural choice for families who expect to return to Germany, Austria or Switzerland, or who want their children to keep full German fluency abroad. In the elementary years pupils study German, English, mathematics, social studies and sciences, music, art, religion and physical education. In the middle and upper school the programme broadens to ten to thirteen subjects, including a second foreign language such as French, Latin or Spanish.
The headline qualification is the Abitur, the German university entrance examination, which is recognised across the German speaking world and increasingly by UK and international universities. Since 2010 the school has also offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma, taught in English, and students who take German as a first language can graduate with a bilingual IB Diploma. That dual track is unusual and gives families a genuine choice between a German route home and an internationally portable qualification. As a bilingual school, it builds both languages in parallel rather than treating one as a bolt on.
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Deutsche Schule London fees
The school publishes its tuition by stage, ranging from roughly GBP 10,920 at the lower end to about GBP 27,162 a year in the senior school, based on 2025 to 2026 figures. The lower bands are notably gentle by London standards, reflecting the school not for profit, community founded character, while the senior IB years carry the higher rate. Set against our London fees guide, the early years sit well below the city average and the upper school lands in the mid band.
Families should budget for a registration fee on application and the usual incidental costs of trips, examinations and materials. Bus provision and the Richmond location mean transport is a real consideration for families living north or east of the river, so factor commuting into any comparison. Our school finder can shortlist German and bilingual options alongside this one.
Admissions
The main intake is into kindergarten and the first elementary year in late summer, ahead of the German academic calendar. Places higher up the school open as families rotate in and out, and the school is used to mid year arrivals because of the mobility of the German expatriate community in London. A working knowledge of German is expected for entry into the German stream, while the IB route in the senior school is taught in English.
Apply 6 to 12 months ahead where possible, and earlier for the most sought after kindergarten places. Assessment is developmental for the youngest children and based on prior reports and language background for older applicants.
Location and who goes there
The school sits in the grounds of Douglas House on Petersham Road, in Petersham, part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. This is leafy south west London, close to Richmond Park and the river, and a long way in character from the central internationals. German speaking families cluster around Richmond, Kew, Twickenham and the wider south west suburbs, partly because of the school location and partly because of the green, family oriented setting.
The community is overwhelmingly German speaking, with strong links to German businesses, diplomatic posts and cultural institutions in London. For families weighing Richmond against more central options, the London city hub maps how commute, cost and neighbourhood trade off across the capital.
Deutsche Schule London reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Deutsche Schule London fees?
Published tuition for 2025 to 2026 ranges from roughly GBP 10,920 in the lower stages to about GBP 27,162 a year in the senior school. The early years are low by London standards, reflecting the school community founded character.
What curriculum does the German School London follow?
It follows the German national curriculum in German, leading to the Abitur. Since 2010 it has also offered an English taught International Baccalaureate Diploma, including a bilingual IB Diploma for first language German speakers.
What ages does Deutsche Schule London take?
The school takes children from kindergarten at around age 4 through to the end of sixth form at age 18, across the full German stage structure.
Do you need to speak German to attend?
A working knowledge of German is expected for the German curriculum stream. The senior IB Diploma route is taught in English, which widens access in the final years.
Where is the German School London located?
It is based at Douglas House on Petersham Road in Petersham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, in leafy south west London near Richmond Park.
