Cities / London / EIFA International School London
EIFA International School London
EIFA is a French-English bilingual school in Marylebone, opened in January 2013. Around 150 children aged 2 to 14 with a 50/50 day in both languages and paired native teachers in the primary years.
In brief
EIFA is a French-English bilingual school in Marylebone, opened in January 2013. Around 150 children aged 2 to 14 with a 50/50 day in both languages and paired native teachers in the primary years.
The school follows the French National Curriculum enriched with the English National Curriculum, and most students hold dual nationality. Fees run roughly GBP 21,000 to GBP 28,000. Ofsted rated it Good in June 2024.
Parents talk about nurturing teachers, a calm atmosphere without the usual London exam pressure, and children arriving with no English who become bilingual within a year or two. The small size gives a familial feel and cultural celebrations are a real part of the calendar. Best fit for Francophone or Franco-British families in central London who want both languages held at curriculum level in a low-pressure setting.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Nursery | 3 | £21,321 |
| Nursery | 4 | £21,321 |
| Reception | 5 | £25,584 |
| Year 1 | 6 | £25,584 |
| Year 2 | 7 | £27,969 |
| Year 3 | 8 | £27,969 |
| Year 4 | 9 | £27,969 |
| Year 5 | 10 | £27,969 |
| Year 6 | 11 | £27,969 |
| Year 7 | 12 | £25,851 |
| Year 8 | 13 | £25,851 |
| Year 9 | 14 | £25,851 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| New Pupils Administrative Fee | £360 | |
| New Pupils School Entrance Fee | £2,400 |
Reviews
- Parents consistently describe EIFA as nurturing and small-class. One parent praised the "nurturing environment" with empathy and pastoral care, and another noted the school feels "like a big family" because class sizes are small.
- Bilingual structure is the headline draw. The 50/50 French-English split runs from age 2 to 18, with the Bilingual IB Diploma in years 12-13 the senior-school offer.
- Several parents valued the absence of typical London-prep stress. One wrote there is "no atmosphere of stress or competition over tests, grades, or admissions" relative to other London schools.
- Parent feedback on EIFA is minimal. A 2023 public request for parent feedback received only one follow-up reply, suggesting the parent community footprint is small.
- Limitations: not a prep for 11-plus or Common Entrance; the IB Diploma route may not suit French families targeting the French Baccalauréat; central-London setting limits sports and outdoor space. Last Ofsted rated Good (June 2024).
Positives
- Pastoral environment. Nurturing, small-class culture with high teacher attentiveness is the strongest theme
- Bilingual delivery. True 50/50 French-English structure across the all-through year-groups
- Low-stress culture. Parents value the absence of London-prep test and admissions pressure
Considerations
- 11-plus and Common Entrance. Not designed as prep for UK independent senior-school entry
- Senior pathway. IB Diploma rather than Bac may not align with French families' plans
- Facilities. Central-London location limits outdoor and sports provision
- Forum footprint. Mumsnet and Reddit activity on EIFA is minimal; review pool is shallow
Leadership
Stéphane Kuhn
Stéphane Kuhn is the Head of School at EIFA International School, dedicated to providing a nurturing bilingual education that combines the best of French and English curricula. He is passionate about fostering a multicultural environment where every child can thrive.
Accreditations
- Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger 01
Academic results
- DELF 2025 pass rate 100%