EIFA International School London

36 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LS, Marylebone, Central London. The school is located in the heart of London with a central London location and wide-ranging extracurricular activities.

Nursery to Year 9; Junior EIFA (from 2 to 11) and Middle EIFA (from 12 to 14).

Independent, co-ed, secular and international school.

30 nationalities represented.

EIFA offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Français Langue Étrangère (FLE) for pupils with no proficiency in either language. Special Educational Needs (SEN) support is provided with a SENCo and external specialist consultants; the school cannot cater for severe SEN.

AEFE partner school; DELF exams offered (DELF Junior and DELF Scolaire); homologation by the French Ministry of Education.

Secular.

There is a bus service provided by an independent operator, La Clef des Champs; contact them directly to arrange transport.

EIFA provides bilingual education in French and English to children aged 2 to 14. From Nursery to Year 9, EIFA combines the rigorous approach of the French curriculum with the breadth, creativity, and excitement of the English curriculum. From Early Years, pupils are immersed in both French and English, with English literacy broadly aligning with the British curriculum. The bilingual curriculum runs across subjects to develop proficiency in both languages.

Average of 15 pupils per class.

Pupils gain work experience in different settings. The sixth form offers enrichment lectures and visits and prepares students for university applications and future study.

PSHE is taught across the school to promote positive relationships, respect for others, and how to manage emotions. Pupils learn to help themselves and others when upset. The Early Years curriculum includes PSHE-style development within a bilingual framework. The Junior School participates in whole-school events such as World Poetry Day, World Book Day, and Tolerance Day to foster social awareness. The bilingual programme supports cross-cultural understanding and tolerance of different faiths and creeds.

EIFA offers SEN support with a dedicated SENCo and collaboration with external specialist consultants for needs such as speech and language impairment, dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and ADHD. Individualised programmes are tailored to each pupil, with close collaboration between teachers and medical staff to adjust exercises, tasks and assessments. The school is a small, family setting that provides substantial individual attention. Severe SEN cannot be catered for due to the constraints of the Grade II listed building. The dual-immersion learning-support approach is designed for international pupils regardless of home language.

For pupils with English or French as an additional language, EIFA provides EAL and FLE programmes. These are delivered by specialist teachers or teaching assistants individually or in small groups during English or French literacy. The aim is to promote oral expression, comprehension, reading and writing in both languages. Pupils remain in EAL or FLE until they reach a level enabling full participation in the academic programme. The dual-immersion concept supports ongoing language development across the curriculum.

A Senior Mental Health Lead supports pupil wellbeing. Mental wellbeing is integrated with safeguarding and PSHE provisions to promote resilience and coping skills. Staff receive ongoing training to recognise and respond to mental health needs. The school aims to create a caring environment where pupils feel safe to discuss wellbeing concerns.

EIFA has a Child Protection and Safeguarding policy based on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and related guidance. The policy aims to safeguard and promote pupils' welfare and ensures staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy DSLs oversee safeguarding duties, with named contacts for safeguarding roles and for the Prevent programme. All staff receive safeguarding and online safety training at induction and at least annually. The policy covers online safety, confidentiality, record-keeping, and safe transfer of pupil information when moving to other schools; it also covers whistleblowing and responding to concerns.

EIFA welcomes applications for admission from all students regardless of nationality, religion or gender. Applications are accepted throughout the year; visitors are welcome to arrange a private tour of the school. There are no formal examination requirements; applicants must demonstrate good academic achievement and ability. Apply early to secure a place, as priority is given to siblings and Westminster residents when classes are oversubscribed. Minimum level of English or French: up to Year 8, children who have not yet mastered one of the two languages of instruction (French or English) are accepted. Process: Step 1. Applying for a place: a completed and signed Application Form with a photograph and a £360 (including VAT) non-refundable Admission Fee; a complete official transcript of the child's school record including the results of any standardised testing or other assessments; a copy of the child's passport or birth certificate. Step 2. Decision of the Admission Committee and Registration: the Admission Committee reviews applications weekly; parents/legal guardians are informed of the outcome by email within 3 working days. If offered a place, parents/legal guardians must read and sign the EIFA Acceptance Form and transfer a £2,400 (including VAT) non-refundable School Entrance Fee. Once the signed Acceptance Form and Entrance Fee are received, registration is confirmed and must be finalised by the deadline in the offer letter; otherwise the place may be offered to another family. Age chart per year group and school year lists the year groups from Pre-Nursery to Year 9 with corresponding UK/FR designations. For example: Pre-Nursery (TPS) 2-3; Nursery (PS) 3-4; Reception (MS) 4-5; Year 1 (GS) 5-6; Year 2 (CP) 6-7; Year 3 (CE1) 7-8; Year 4 (CE2) 8-9; Year 5 (CM1) 9-10; Year 6 (CM2) 10-11; Year 7 (6ème) 11-12; Year 8 (5ème) 12-13; Year 9 (4ème) 13-14. For contact, the Registrar can be reached at [email protected] or +44 20 7637 5351.

Scholars are available to existing pupils in years 5-9 and to new pupils entering Middle School (years 7-9) in English, French or Mathematics. Scholarships may not be held in more than one discipline. They are awarded for academic excellence in one field of study and/or outstanding potential to succeed; scholarship pupils are expected to demonstrate commitment and high attendance. Applications are initially discussed with the Head of School and a relevant subject specialist; invited pupils bring supporting documentation such as a copy of the last school report (if new to the school) and examples of work in their chosen area. The pupil then completes an assessment relevant to the area identified on the Scholarship application. Recommendations for the award are made by the Head of School to the School Board, which makes the final determination. Scholarships are only available for UK residents. To apply, send a message to [email protected].