French schools in London

London offers several schools following the French curriculum, but their academic pathways can differ significantly. For families moving to London or planning their child’s long-term education, understanding these differences is essential, especially when thinking about university options in France, the UK or internationally. Each offers a different academic environment and different options in the final years of secondary school. Overview of French secondary schools in London School Location Academic pathways Notes Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle South Kensington French Baccalauréat, BFI, European Section, British Section (GCSE / A-Levels) Historic French lycée in London Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill Wembley

Understanding the French curriculum in London and long-term university strategy. In French schools in London, the question of university applications arises long before the final year of high school. Understanding how the French education system works abroad, from middle school to the French Baccalaureate, is essential to building a coherent and competitive academic pathway. March always carries a particular atmosphere. It is not yet exam season, but the reassuring momentum of the start of the school year has faded. Second-term reports arrive, and with them comes a more strategic question than ever: what does my child’s academic journey really communicate

There’s a question that comes up regularly in conversations with francophone families in London. “We’re following the French curriculum… but how does that position our child within the UK system?” Behind that question, there isn’t doubt about the quality of French education. There’s another concern: How is the Bac perceived compared to A-levels or the IB? Will UK universities view it as equally competitive? Are we keeping all options open or narrowing them without realising it? And will we only understand the implications when it’s too late to adjust? In London, the challenge is understanding how different systems connect and

This is usually not a question families ask in advance. Most parents we work with only start comparing the French school system and the UK curriculum once something feels off: a drop in grades, a child losing confidence, or a possible school move that suddenly feels much more complicated than expected. At Tutoright, we see this situation every year. And while both systems are academically strong, they work in very different ways, often in ways parents don’t expect. Age groups and structure: similar on paper, different in reality Age French system UK system 3–5 Maternelle Nursery / Reception 6–10 École