Cities / Paris / Lycee International British Section
Lycee International British Section
The British Section sits inside the Lycée International de Saint Germain en Laye, the state lycée founded in 1952 for NATO and SHAPE families. Around 830 students aged 3 to 18, leading to the OIB and BFI on top of the French baccalaureate.
In brief
The British Section sits inside the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the state lycée founded in 1952 for NATO and SHAPE families. Around 830 students aged 3 to 18, leading to the OIB and BFI on top of the French baccalaureate.
The Lycée itself is a French state school, so French-curriculum teaching is free. Families pay only for the British Section's added English-language programme, which is why fees sit at roughly EUR 3,750 to EUR 9,100 a year, a fraction of the private international schools in Paris. Cambridge Advanced and Pearson Edexcel feed the teaching. Primary classes were added in Le Pecq in the late 1980s.
The strict French academic culture is the through-line. Parents describe a no-nonsense community where the French side is hard and rigorous and the British Section provides a calmer counterweight. The lunchtime split between feeder schools and the main site means parents arrange transport, often via carpools. Best fit for committed bilingual families willing to do the French baccalaureate at a fraction of private fees and who can manage multi-site logistics.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Maternelle / Nursery (Petite Section) | 3 | €3,746 |
| Maternelle / Nursery (Moyenne-Grande Section) | 4 | €7,492 |
| Primary / CP to CM2 (Years 2-6) | 6 | €7,492 |
| Secondary / Sixieme to Troisieme (Years 7-10) | 11 | €7,730 |
| Secondary / Seconde to Terminale (Years 11-13) | 15 | €9,090 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee - Maternelle (non-refundable) | €160 | |
| Application Fee - Primary (non-refundable) | €200 | |
| Application Fee - Secondary (non-refundable) | €250 | |
| Admissions Fee - Maternelle to Troisieme (non-refundable) | €1,500 | |
| Admissions Fee - Seconde to Terminale (non-refundable) | €1,750 |
Reviews
- Sits inside the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye public campus, with the British Section running UK-curriculum lessons alongside the French national programme. Teachers are UK-qualified.
- Bac results at the host lycée run at or close to 100 percent. Parents praise the academic level and the bilingual outcome.
- Workload is heavy. One parent called it "an excellent school but a hard one" and described initial frustration before the family settled. Several reviewers say the French side is stricter than national sections and the British side balances it.
- Strong international peer group is repeatedly cited. Children come out fluent and used to switching cultures.
- Not a fit for every child. The system suits academically confident kids who can absorb pressure.
Positives
- Academic level and bilingual outcome. Parents describe genuine bilingualism and a strong UK academic line, with the host lycée's bac pass rate at or near 100 percent.
- International community. Mixed peer group from many countries is named as a defining feature.
Considerations
- Workload and pressure. Heavy homework and high expectations are flagged repeatedly. Parents say the French side is the harder half; the British section softens it.
- Fit. Reviewers caution it isn't a school for every child , works for academically confident, resilient students.
Leadership
James Cathcart
James Cathcart has been the Director of the British Section since August 2017. He is also the President of ASIBA. Before joining the school, he had an extensive career in the UK, including serving as the Chief Executive of the British Youth Council and Head of Target Groups at The Prince's Trust. He is a strong advocate for youth voice and participation. Educated at Durham and Southampton universities, he holds an MA (Oxon), PGCE, and NPQH.
Academic results
- BFI Mention Tres Bien/Bien (2024) 80%