Ecole Jeannine Manuel -, London
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$31K - US$45K
Curriculum: French · IB · British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~700
Location: Bloomsbury, Central London, London
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Jeannine Manuel is the right school if you want genuine French-English bilingualism in London - not a French school with an English add-on, but a true bilingual programme with serious academic standing. If you are not committed to French as a language of instruction, the school's distinct ethos may feel like a constraint rather than a strength.
Ecole Jeannine Manuel London opened in Bloomsbury in 2015 as the sister of its Paris school - which has been ranked the top French lycee in France for over a decade. The London school runs bilingual French-English instruction from Nursery through to 18, with around 700 pupils from 45-plus nationalities and a maximum of 20 pupils per class. The academic standing is serious: the school ranks among the top two IB schools in the UK for smaller cohorts, and Year 11 students can sit IGCSE, French Brevet, French Baccalaureate, or IB Diploma - a breadth of exit qualifications that few London schools can match.
The bursary programme is a genuine differentiator. Sixteen percent of pupils receive means-tested financial aid, with the average award covering two-thirds of full fees - making this a school that talks about access and broadly delivers on it. The Bloomsbury location (Bedford Square for Middle and Secondary, Russell Square for Primary) places the school in a historic, walkable part of central London adjacent to UCL, the British Museum, and a dense network of cultural institutions. With 45 nationalities and a strong French-international mix, the school is genuinely international rather than just French-for-expats.
The important caveat is the linguistic model. French is a language of instruction, not an add-on subject: children who arrive without French will need to build it quickly, and the school has EAL and French Language Acquisition support for this. Families considering the school primarily for the IB Diploma track should ask specifically about the balance of French and English instruction at Year 11-13, and what the IGCSE and IB cohorts look like separately. The 2025-26 fees run from GBP 24,780 (Nursery) to GBP 35,208 (Year 11 IB), with a one-time registration fee of GBP 2,750.
What parents value
- –Ranked top French school abroad and among the top two IB small-cohort schools in the UK. Exit qualifications include IGCSE, IB Diploma, and French Baccalaureate - more options at 16-18 than any other school in this guide.
- –Sixteen percent of pupils receive means-tested bursaries averaging two-thirds of full fees. A serious commitment to access from a school at the top of the French international ranking.
- –Maximum 20 pupils per class, 45-plus nationalities, Bloomsbury location - the school consistently delivers a small-class bilingual education in one of the most culturally rich parts of London.
Points of consideration
- –French is a core language of instruction, not just a subject. Children arriving without French will go through an intensive immersion period. This is manageable for young children; harder for secondary-age students arriving mid-stream. Ask the school about its French Language Acquisition programme for your child's year group.
- –The GBP 2,750 registration fee is one of the highest one-time costs in this guide and is paid before a place is confirmed. Budget for this alongside the application fee of GBP 275.
- –The school opened in 2015 and is still building its London alumni record compared to longer-established schools. University destination data is more limited than schools with 20-plus years of Diploma results - ask for current data directly.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (ages 3-4) | 3 | 32,756 |
| Reception - Year 10 (ages 4-15) | 4 | 39,307 |
| Year 11 (French Baccalaureate track) | 15 | 39,307 |
| Year 11 (IB track) | 15 | 46,541 |
Fees converted from GBP. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | 364 |
| Registration fee | 3,635 |
Academic Results
| IB DP ranking (UK, small cohort) | Top 2% |
| French school abroad ranking | #1 |
The school offers multiple academic tracks from Year 11: IGCSE (British curriculum), French Baccalaureate, and IB Diploma. Students at 16 can also sit the French Brevet. This means families are not locked into a single pathway at secondary - a genuine advantage over purely IB or purely British schools.
The IB Diploma cohort ranks in the top 2% of IB schools in the UK for smaller cohorts. The Paris school's sustained #1 French lycee ranking is the benchmark the London school is calibrating against. For families with French university ambitions, the French Baccalaureate track is directly competitive with the Paris parent school's outcomes.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: 43-45 Bedford Square, Bloomsbury WC1B - Middle and Secondary campus · 21-24 Russell Square, Bloomsbury WC1B - Primary campus · Proximity to British Museum, UCL, and Bloomsbury's cultural institutions
The school uses its Bloomsbury location actively - the British Museum, Coram's Fields, and the wider central London cultural network are part of the educational environment. Co-curricular activities span sport, music, drama, and debating across both sites.
With two campus sites a short distance apart in Bloomsbury, the school operates a structured daily schedule. Families should ask about after-school activities, transport arrangements between sites, and what the weekly rhythm looks like for their child's year group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 700 pupils from 45-plus nationalities with a maximum of 20 per class. The school draws French-speaking families, internationally mobile families choosing the bilingual programme, and local British families seeking a French-English education.
The bursary programme means the community is less uniformly from high-income backgrounds than comparable London international schools. Parents describe a welcoming atmosphere, with the bilingual model creating natural cross-national bonds.
Leadership
Pauline Prevot
Pauline Prevot leads Ecole Jeannine Manuel London, the sister school of the French institution long ranked first among French lycees worldwide. She oversees a school of around 700 pupils across two Bloomsbury sites, offering French, IB, and British curriculum pathways.