Founded in 1915, it moved to its present location in South Kensington in 1939. There are three further junior school sites, near Clapham Common, in Ealing and in Fulham. It is one of over 400 French lycées set in 120 different countries. Most of the pupils are French (82%) or British (8%), but it is a remarkably cosmopolitan school with the remaining pupils coming from as many as 48 different countries. It is one of the largest independent schools in Britain and there is a huge staff which allows a good staff:pupil ratio. Its main asset lies in the virtual guarantee of bi-lingualism which all pupils achieve under the French system (seven languages, including Arabic, are taught). At the end of the third year of the secondary school, pupils may opt for either the English or French streams. The French curriculum leads to the French Baccalaureate; the British curriculum prepares pupils for GCSE, AS and A-levels and examination results are very good. The school is divided into different buildings, according to the ages of the pupils, in a highly concentrated area: the primary school; the 1st-4th years of the secondary school in the college, the 5th-7th years secondary school years are in the Lycée. It is run by, and the fees subsidised by, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and there are close links with the French Institute. Physical education is part of the curriculum. The playing fields are at Raynes Park. A wide range of activities is available and outings organised each year.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 3700 day pupils (49% boys, 51% girls). Senior department 11-18; 2000 pupils (49% boys, 51% girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 6, 11 and 16. Children whose mother tongue is not French, or who are not currently following the French state syllabus can normally only join the school before the age of 5 (where knowledge of French is not presumed). Own entrance exam used. No special religious requirements.
Headteacher: Bernard Vasseur, in post since 2007. Previously head of French schools in Berlin, Prague and has worked at Head Office of the AEFE in Paris. Teaching staff: 205 full time, 28 part time. Annual turnover 10%.
GCSE: On average, 64 pupils in British section upper fifth: all gain grade C or above in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 50 in the British section upper sixth; all pass in 4+ subjects, with an average final point score of 384. Baccalauréat: 99% pass French Baccalauréat.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 5% to Oxbridge. 47% of French Baccalauréat students enter the preparatory class to the Grandes Écoles.
GCSE, AS and A-levels or French Baccalauréat. 15 subjects offered at AS and A-level (no A-level general studies). Languages: French (taught from age 3), German, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Arabic (all from 13) offered, all to GCSE, some to AS and A-level. Bi-lingual teaching. Over 75% take GCSE in more than 1 language. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Spain).
Music: Orchestra, jazz group, choir. Art and design: Art is part of both the French and British curriculum.
Sport: PE compulsory. Optional: basketball, rugby, handball. Pupils represent county at rugby and cross-country. Activities: Up to 10 clubs, eg drama, photography, chess, graphics.
Uniform: School uniform not worn. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. School Council, with elected pupil representatives. Religion: No compulsory worship. Social: Organised local events from time to time eg theatre visits, international conferences, lectures, geography and biology field trips etc. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect school to contact the parents so they may co-operate in ensuring that work is done; a pupil caught taking illegal drugs on the premises can expect expulsion.
Gyles Brandreth (former MP); Kay Dick (novelist); Lady Olga Maitland (former MP); Mica Penniman, aka Mika (singer); Daniel Topolski (writer).
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