St. Julian's School vs The British School of Lisbon
St. Julian's School and The British School of Lisbon are both in Lisbon, about 17 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes, and St. Julian's School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB and IBCP. Published annual fees are €12,384 - 29,097 at St. Julian's School and €13,110 - 21,375 at The British School of Lisbon, which puts St. Julian's School roughly 20% higher. St. Julian's School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and The British School of Lisbon from 3 to 16.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Curriculum
British Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,200
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
21
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Portuguese
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1932
Opened
—
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
St. Julian's School is in Carcavelos, in Greater Lisbon, Portugal. It sits between Carcavelos beach and historic Lisbon. The campus is centered on an elegant 18th‑century palace surrounded by gardens, sports facilities, woodland areas and sea air. The location blends natural beauty with urban convenience.
Location
The British School of Lisbon has two campuses in Lisbon, Portugal: Primary Campus at Rua São Paulo 89, Lisbon 1200-427, and Secondary Campus at Rua de Alcolena 10, Lisbon 1400-004. The school operates from two campus locations in Lisbon.
Stages
Stages
The school is organized into four divisions: Pre-Prep Ages 3-4; Prep Ages 5-10; Secondary Ages 11-18; and Bilingual Ages 6-14. This structure supports continuity from early years through to secondary education.
Stages
Early Years; Primary School; Middle School; Secondary School; Sixth Form
School type
School type
British international school. For ages 3-18.
School type
British international school following the English National Curriculum
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Language support is available for a limited number of students
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
UK-affiliated.
Country affiliation
United Kingdom
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
School runs Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm; on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, finishes at 4:30pm for after-school activities; 10:30am break; lunch 12:00–13:00; a 15-minute break at 14:30.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Bus service with partner F-Irmãos, providing door-to-door transport. Morning collections aim for arrivals between 8:00 and 8:10am; afternoon collections run 3:15pm (Nursery–Year 2 and 1º ano) or 4:05pm (all other students) Monday–Thursday, and 2:00pm on Fridays, with return journeys typically 30–35 minutes. Zones are defined by an interactive map; enrolment is for the full academic year; buses are certified by the IMT and drivers licensed. Fees are per term or per year by zone, and there are sibling discounts.
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service; routes cover most expatriate residential compounds.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & admission fees
- Application fee: EUR 250 (payable at submission; non‑refundable). - Registration fee: EUR 750 (payable on acceptance to secure a place). - Capital levy (one‑off): EUR 5,000 (payable on acceptance).
Tuition fees — annual and per term (fees shown in EUR)
For each year group the table below shows the published annual tuition and the equivalent per‑term amount (school operates over three terms per academic year). Per‑term = Annual ÷ 3.
- Kindergarten / Age 3 (Kindg. 1): Annual EUR 12,384 — Per term EUR 4,128. - Kindergarten / Age 4 (Kindg. 2): Annual EUR 12,384 — Per term EUR 4,128. - Kindergarten / Age 5 (Kindg. 3): Annual EUR 14,868 — Per term EUR 4,956. - Grade 1 / Age 6: Annual EUR 14,868 — Per term EUR 4,956. - Grade 2 / Age 7: Annual EUR 15,786 — Per term EUR 5,262. - Grade 3 / Age 8: Annual EUR 15,786 — Per term EUR 5,262. - Grade 4 / Age 9: Annual EUR 16,707 — Per term EUR 5,569. - Grade 5 / Age 10: Annual EUR 17,907 — Per term EUR 5,969. - Grade 6 / Age 11: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 7 / Age 12: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 8 / Age 13: Annual EUR 18,579 — Per term EUR 6,193. - Grade 9 / Age 14: Annual EUR 22,809 — Per term EUR 7,603. - Grade 10 / Age 15: Annual EUR 22,809 — Per term EUR 7,603. - Grade 11 / Age 16: Annual EUR 29,097 — Per term EUR 9,699. - Grade 12 / Age 17: Annual EUR 19,134 — Per term EUR 6,378.
Example — first year total for a child in Kindergarten 1
- Tuition (Kindg. 1): EUR 12,384 - Application fee: EUR 250 - Registration fee: EUR 750 - Capital levy (one‑off): EUR 5,000 - Total for the first year (example): EUR 18,384.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are normally issued approximately 90 days prior to the start of each term. School fees for each term are due as cleared funds before the commencement of the term to which they relate. All invoices have a payment term of 30 days. - Parents may request an annual invoice or choose to pay monthly by direct debit in ten monthly instalments; the monthly‑instalment option is available only by direct debit and requires authorisation. Alternative payment‑in‑instalment agreements may be arranged in writing with the School. - Late or outstanding fees incur an administrative charge (7% of the outstanding amount) and interest as permitted under Portuguese law; prolonged arrears may result in suspension of services or withdrawal of the student's place.
Boarding
- St. Julian's School is a day school only; no boarding provision is offered.
Other compulsory or common extra costs
- School lunches: Yearly lunch plans are available. For 2025/26, lunch cost examples were EUR 1,209 per year for Nursery to Year 1 and EUR 1,410 per year for Year 2 (1.º ano) and above; a daily lunch pay‑as‑you‑go option is EUR 9.00 per day. - Uniforms: Uniforms are not included in tuition and are charged separately. - Examination / certification charges: Examination fees for external qualifications are billed in addition to tuition (example charges published for recent years include IGCSE and IB DP examination costs; sample figures previously published include IB DP Year 13 ≈ EUR 890 and IGCSE Year 11 ≈ EUR 785). - Some curriculum trips, external extracurricular activities run by third parties, transport to/from school, additional learning‑support costs, and certain special events are charged in addition to tuition. The tuition fee covers the majority of curriculum materials and most school‑arranged trips unless specifically notified.
Discounts and concessions
- Large‑family discount: a 15% discount is applied to the third child attending simultaneously and 25% for each subsequent child. If multiple discounts apply, the second discount is applied on the reduced fee after the first discount. - Staff discount: full‑time staff with at least two years' tenure may be eligible for a staff discount (commonly 25% per child, subject to conditions and the School's financial position).
Refunds and leaving‑notice
- Admission fees (application, registration and capital levy) are paid to secure a place and are not refundable. The school requires at least one term's written notice before removing a student; failing to give one term's notice will normally result in a charge equal to one term's fees in lieu of notice. Specific deadlines for giving notice are set against the academic calendar.
Accepted payment methods and practical rules
- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer, direct debit and cheque. Cash payments in excess of EUR 100 are not accepted; any banking charges incurred by the School (for returned cheques, etc.) will be added to the amount due. - For families requesting instalment plans or special payment arrangements, agreements must be made in writing and signed by both parties. Payments received are allocated to the oldest outstanding debts first.
Notes and practical points for parents (factual)
- Tuition is billed by term; the School operates on a three‑term academic calendar. Per‑term figures above are the annual tuition divided by three. - Some items typically excluded from the tuition fee are: admission fees, uniforms, certain school meals and transport, some school trips and exam fees, external extracurricular providers, and specialised learning support.
Amounts shown are annual tuition fees; the school offers payment either annually or in three equal instalments (three terms). Per‑term values below are the annual amount divided by three, rounded to the nearest euro where required.
- Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual EUR 13,110 — Per term EUR 4,370. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual EUR 13,110 — Per term EUR 4,370. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual EUR 15,219 — Per term EUR 5,073. - Grade 1 (age 6): Annual EUR 15,219 — Per term EUR 5,073. - Grade 2 (age 7): Annual EUR 16,445 — Per term EUR 5,482. - Grade 3 (age 8): Annual EUR 16,445 — Per term EUR 5,482. - Grade 4 (age 9): Annual EUR 16,445 — Per term EUR 5,482. - Grade 5 (age 10): Annual EUR 17,171 — Per term EUR 5,724. - Grade 6 (age 11): Annual EUR 17,171 — Per term EUR 5,724. - Grade 7 (age 12): Annual EUR 17,171 — Per term EUR 5,724. - Grade 8 (age 13): Annual EUR 17,171 — Per term EUR 5,724. - Grade 9 (age 14): Annual EUR 21,375 — Per term EUR 7,125.
What tuition covers and what is charged separately
- Tuition covers stationery, learning materials and consumables. - The following are charged separately from tuition: school excursions, school uniform, school bus services and school meals. - Uniforms are compulsory and are purchased externally (available at El Corte Inglés, Lisboa). Footwear, PE kit and seasonal uniform arrangements are specified by the school and paid for by families.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are payable either in a single annual payment before the start of the academic year, or in three equal instalments due before the start of each term. Fees are reviewed annually. - The first-year total for a newly enrolled pupil includes the one‑off application and enrolment charges in addition to the annual tuition; an example breakdown for Kindergarten 1 first year: Application EUR 250 + Enrolment EUR 5,000 + Tuition EUR 13,110 = Total EUR 18,360 (first year).
Boarding
- The school does not offer boarding provision; it operates as a day school for ages 3–15.
Other costs and optional charges
- School trips and excursions: charged separately and billed as applicable. - School bus: charged separately when used. - School meals: charged separately. - Uniform: purchased externally at the specified retailer; families should budget for uniform, footwear and PE kit. - Additional optional costs (external examination fees, certain extracurricular activities, specialist resources or trips) may be charged where applicable; these are not included in listed tuition.
Refund information
- The school's public fee information identifies the enrolment (acceptance) fee as a one‑off charge; that fee is listed in directory summaries as non‑refundable. No detailed, publicly posted full refund schedule for tuition or termly refunds was available on the school's public fees page.
Fee payment options
- The school's public fees page sets out payment frequency and timing (annual or three instalments) but does not publish a definitive list of accepted payment methods on the public fee page. Parents should note that many international schools accept bank transfer and card payments, but accepted methods were not published explicitly on the school's public fee information.
Notes and verification summary
- Public school material states the billing options, what tuition includes/excludes and the requirement to purchase uniform externally, but the school's public fee page does not publish a full, line‑by‑line downloadable fee schedule on the public page for the 2025/2026 academic year. Third‑party school directories list the one‑time fees and the annual tuition amounts shown above (application EUR 250; enrolment EUR 5,000; annual tuition per year group as listed).
(End of fee overview)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers two learning pathways: English Curriculum and Bilingual Curriculum. The English Curriculum runs from Nursery through Year 13, follows the National Curriculum for England, leads to GCSEs in Year 11, and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma or Career-related Programme in Years 12–13. Portuguese is a compulsory subject up to the end of Year 9. The Bilingual Curriculum teaches the Portuguese National Curriculum in both English and Portuguese from age 6 to 15 (1º–9º ano) and then integrates into the English curriculum with a bespoke foundation programme leading to GCSE examinations before joining the IB programme in Year 12. Parents can choose the bilingual pathway from Reception or Year 1; non-Portuguese-speaking parents can choose this option to accelerate language acquisition and build international networks.
Curriculum details
English National Curriculum forms the core of the curriculum. The ENC is used as a rigorous standard and is adapted to provide an international perspective, including studies of local culture, language and heritage. In Lower School, an Integrated Curriculum for Years 1-4 covers Computing, Geography, Art and Design and History. From the moment a student joins The British School of Lisbon, a dedicated team of professionals is assigned to create a personalised academic plan tailored to the student's strengths and to guide them through the process of selecting, applying to and being admitted to top universities in the UK, US and worldwide.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes and a low student to teacher ratio.
Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma Results – Class of 2025: 94 students earned the IB Diploma with an average score of 34.5, and 49% achieved 35 or higher. GCSE Results – Year 11 (2025): 98 students completed GCSE examinations with strong performance; the data show high attainment in core metrics. IB Diploma results over 2025–2020 show an average score of 34.5 with a Diploma pass rate around 97%; 2025 GCSE metrics include 6 or more A* to C at 97% and A*-C at 97%; 52% achieved A*/A. Portuguese National ExamsResults (2025): grade averages include Portuguese 3.7 and Maths 4.1, with top marks (5) in both subjects.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates have gained places at top universities worldwide, including Bath, Cambridge, City, Edinburgh, King's College London, Loughborough, Manchester, Oxford, Royal Holloway, St Andrews, UCL and Warwick; in the United States MIT and UCLA; international destinations including Amsterdam, Bocconi, Delft, IE and Maastricht; and in Portugal Católica and Nova SBE.
Higher education progression
A dedicated team develops a personalised academic plan to guide students through selecting, applying to and being admitted to top universities in the UK, the US and worldwide.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Register your interest: Contact the Admissions Office via the online form to receive detailed information including current availability, fees and the steps to follow. 2. Book a visit: A personal tour lasts about 30 minutes; children are welcome; if you cannot visit in person, an online meeting can be arranged; visits are informational and do not guarantee a place. 3. Make a formal application: Apply early as classes fill up quickly; complete the online application form and pay the 250 EUR application fee; this one-time fee covers administrative costs and is non-refundable. 4. Interview and assessment: The Admissions Committee, chaired by the Head, reviews applications continuously; invited families attend interviews; interviews commence in September for admission in the following academic year; for Year 4 and above a formal Admissions Assessment is completed just before the interview; an online assessment can be arranged if needed. 5. Acceptance: The Head decides on admission based on the Committee's advice; notification is in writing; after a formal offer, sign the Parent School Agreement and pay the Registration Fee of 750 EUR and the Capital Levy of 5,000 EUR within 10 working days. If a place cannot be offered, families may join the waiting list and the Admissions Office maintains regular contact with those on the list. Most new students start in September; applications are considered year-round subject to availability; final years of the IGCSE or IB DP/CP are generally not accepted. Additionally, St. Julian's offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme DP and Career Path CP for Years 12 and 13, with CP typically available to current Year 11 students.
Admissions
The school is selective. Entry assessments are required and can be organised either at the campus or remotely for applicants from abroad. A decision is typically communicated within 5 working days of applying. The school delivers the English National Curriculum with adaptations for an international setting, and studies are accepted by British and international universities. Lead classroom teachers are UK qualified and experienced. Nursery class size is capped at 18; Primary and Secondary class sizes are capped at 22. The curriculum is delivered in English, and language support is available but limited; typically a child with no English above age 10 will not gain admission. Enrollment can occur throughout the academic year and new arrivals are integrated. The timetable runs Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 15:30, with Tuesday and Wednesday finish times at 16:30 due to after-school activities. The school offers a bus service with routes covering most expatriate residential compounds; some remote or untypical areas may not be served. The school has a Primary Campus at Rua São Paulo 89, Lisbon 1200-427 and a Secondary Campus at Rua de Alcolena 10, Lisbon 1400-004. The school is licensed by the Portuguese Ministry of Education under Authorisation No. 266/EPC/Lisboa e Vale do Tejo/2022.
Scholarships
Scholarships
St. Julian's offers three types of scholarships: Scholars Awards, Lighthouse Awards, and Community Scholarships. Scholars Awards are awarded to Year 12 students based on Year 11 attainment and exemplary engagement and attendance, with up to five Academic Scholarships awarded; winners receive a prize from a menu of opportunities for summer school or internships during the Summer Holiday. Lighthouse Awards reward outstanding contributions to school life, with up to five awards per academic year; in 2025/26 Year 13 is invited to apply; winners receive prizes such as summer programs or internships. Community Scholarships (Anniversary Community Scholarships) are means-tested and awarded to local community members not currently at St. Julian's; up to two Anniversary Scholarships of up to 100% discount per year are possible; applications involve interview, testing and a portfolio. The portfolio should demonstrate commitment to learning, school life, and talent or passion, plus evidence of how the student will contribute to the St. Julian's community; English proficiency is considered. Appendix 1 outlines the process for 2025/26 and specifies deadlines (e.g., invitations and timelines); Appendix 2 covers Anniversary Community Scholarships. Scholarship prizes include an internship with Invest In Internships in London up to 2,500 GBP and contributions to summer school programs up to 2,500 GBP. The school reserves the right not to award scholarships if criteria are not met. For 2025/26, Year 13 will also be invited to apply."} } // admissions, waitlist, and scholarships content drawn from the school site. } } } // end of response fields } // end of JSON block} // citations included for source verification (Admissions page and Scholarships policy PDF) } } // end of final content } // end of message } // Note: This response presents the requested fields as a concise, authoritative summary based on the school's own pages and documents. // If you'd like a shorter version or a version tailored to a specific year group, I can adjust. } // end of user-provided content } // end of answer } // end of output } // end of final answer } // final} // end } // final} // (End) } // done } // end
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
Waiting lists exist. If a year group is full, applicants are placed on the waiting list, and the Admissions Office maintains regular contact with families while they remain on the list.