Cities / Geneva / British School of Geneva
British School of Geneva
A small, family feel British school on the main road through Châtelaine, ten minutes from the UN, and the only school in Geneva that takes students all the way to British A Levels.
In brief
A small, family-feel British school on the main road through Châtelaine, ten minutes from the UN, and the only school in Geneva that takes students all the way to British A-Levels.
Founded in 2005, BSG runs the English National Curriculum from age 3 to 19 with class caps of 18, and 14 in the A-Level sixth form. The student body is around 250, drawn from over 70 nationalities, and the school is COBIS Patron-accredited and CIS-affiliated.
Families looking for a calm, English-medium alternative to the bigger Geneva schools find smaller classes, more personal attention from teachers, and direct A-Level routes into UK universities at fees roughly two-thirds of what the larger international schools charge. The site is a residential building with a small playground, and sports and extracurricular range cannot match a 1,500-student campus.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Reception | 5 | CHF 23,000 |
| Years 1-2 | 6 | CHF 25,150 |
| Years 3-6 | 8 | CHF 25,800 |
| Years 7-9 | 12 | CHF 27,300 |
| Years 10-11 (IGCSE) | 15 | CHF 28,700 |
| Years 12-13 (A Level) | 17 | CHF 30,850 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Registration Fee | CHF 1,045 | |
| Capital Development Fee | CHF 3,000 |
Reviews
A small British-curriculum school on the Châtelaine side of Geneva, close to the UN quarter and on the bus 22 line. The smallness shapes most of what people say: classes are tight, year groups know each other, and teachers are reachable. It is also the only school in the city running A-Levels, which is the headline draw for families who want to stay in the British system rather than switch to IB. The 2024 sitting produced 15% A and 68% A-B with leavers heading to Cambridge, King's College London and a spread of Swiss and European universities. Counter-currents exist: the campus is older and compact, some families move children to larger schools for secondary, and in straight British-school comparisons Geneva English School in Versoix tends to come up first for parents wanting a modern campus and bigger cohorts.
Positives
- Class size and teacher access. Small classes are the most-repeated positive. Past pupils talk about understanding teachers and being known across year groups; the school's own framing of regular, direct contact with families holds up in what people say.
- A-Level pathway. Geneva's only A-Level provider. 2024 results were 15% A* and 68% A*-B, with leavers placed at Cambridge, King's College London, Cardiff, Bristol and a range of Swiss and European universities.
- Central location and commute. On Avenue de Châtelaine in Vernier, ten minutes from the UN, with bus 22 running a dedicated lane to the door. Commutes from across the city tend to land around 30 to 45 minutes by public transport.
- SEND provision. Established SEND facilities come up as a distinguishing feature versus other British-curriculum options locally.
Considerations
- Campus and scale. The site is older and compact rather than purpose-built. Past pupils describe it as not particularly beautiful, and some families move children to larger schools (IIL, Ecolint) for secondary when they want a bigger cohort and more space.
- Position in the British-school field. Among Geneva's British-curriculum options, Geneva English School in Versoix tends to come up first in conversation for its modern campus and growing roll. BSG is older as a secondary, smaller and more central.
- Ownership. Part of International Schools Partnership (ISP). The group's Learning.First framing sits alongside an English National Curriculum delivery; the local feel is small and independent rather than obviously corporate.
Leadership
George Philip Walsh
An accomplished leader in global education, George Philip Walsh brings a wealth of experience from the United Kingdom, Switzerland and South-East Asia. As Executive Principal of British School of Geneva (BSG) and a Board Member of Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS), he plays a pivotal role in shaping outstanding international education. Additionally, as a Council of International Schools (CIS) Peer Evaluator and Accreditation Visit Chair, George Philip supports schools worldwide in their continuous development and strategic growth. Throughout his career, George Philip has been committed to fostering academic excellence, strengthening school communities, and driving organisational progress in diverse international contexts. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the deliberate design of well-rounded, child-centred curricula, underpinned by exceptional teaching and dynamic learning environments. He is passionate about creating safe, inspiring spaces where both students and educators feel empowered to innovate, collaborate and achieve their full potential.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 02
Academic results
- A Level 2024 average A*-B grades across a wide range of subjects
- University placements University of Cambridge, King's College London, Cardiff University, University of Bristol