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Charles Dickens Primary School Berlin

Germany, Berlin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 6 - 12 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Taught languages English, German, French
Strengths Languages, Sport, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Charles Dickens Primary School Berlin operates as a State European School with an English–German Europe Branch that welcomes German- and English-speaking pupils. Located at Dickensweg 15, 14055 Berlin, the school comprises three buildings with spaces for Art and Science, libraries and ICT. Europe Branch runs 8:00–16:00, with supervision before and after school. English-taught subjects include English mother tongue, English partner tongue, Environmental Studies (years 1–4), History and Citizenship (years 5–6), Geography (years 5–6) and Science (years 5–6); German-taught subjects include German mother tongue, German partner tongue, Maths, Ethics and Religion; Art, Music and Sport can be delivered in either language, and French is offered in years 5–6. Europe Branch provides bilingual provision with English staff; a library of English and German books is supported by English librarians funded by the Förderkreis. Extracurricular options include theatre workshops, football, choir and a science club; student leadership is exercised in a School Parliament.

Dickensweg 15, 14055 Berlin, Germany

The Essentials

Charles Dickens Primary School Berlin has instruction in German, English.

Location
Dickensweg 15, 14055 Berlin.

Stages
Primary school (years 1–6).

Type
State Europe School (SESB), English-German.

School day structure
All-day school from 8:00 to 16:00. Supervision from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; morning supervision from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m. and after-school supervision from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. available for an extra fee.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
A binding all-day program with mandatory attendance from 8:00 to 16:00; free supervision from 7:30 to 16:00; paid supervision from 6:00 to 7:30 and from 16:00 to 18:00; lunch is provided and is mandatory under the bound Ganztag program (subject to application and payment); holiday care is available upon application and payment.

Food Options
Lunch is provided in the canteen and is mandatory as part of the bound Ganztag program (subject to application and payment).

Governance and Ownership
Public state European school in Berlin (Staatliche Europaschule) with German and German–English European division; French is offered as a foreign language.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee to enroll a child at Charles Dickens Primary School (a state "Europaschule" primary school).

Tuition fees by school year / term
- There is no tuition or school fee for attendance: Charles Dickens is a state primary (Europe) school and offers free bilingual education for Years 1–6. No term or annual tuition is charged.

Meals / lunch
- A warm school meal is provided under contract with the caterer GREENs Unlimited. Since 1 August 2019 the midday meal is free for all pupils; a contract with the caterer is required for a child to receive meals. (Any charges related to special services or external caterer arrangements would be handled by the caterer.)

Billing schedule and payment terms (items that are charged)
- Dickens-Förderkreis (the parents' support association that finances native‑speaker lessons, the English–German library and related services) collects an annual membership fee. The Förderkreis debits the membership fee from the parent's bank account at the beginning of each school year; membership normally ends automatically at the end of 6th grade and may be terminated at the end of any school year. The Förderkreis page sets the collection timing but lists the membership as an annual debit rather than a per-term invoice.
- Smaller school charges are collected at set points during the year when required by the teacher or organiser: for example, the official Charles Dickens School planner is charged at the start of the year (EUR 6). Day‑trip and overnight‑trip costs are billed to parents when those activities are organised; overnight trips are intended to be kept to a minimum cost and financial assistance may be possible in certain circumstances. External after‑school club fees and external provider charges are billed directly by those providers.

Boarding / residential provision
- The school does not operate a boarding provision. Charles Dickens is a day primary school (full‑day/"gebundene Ganztagsschule") and does not charge or offer boarding services.

Other costs or fees
- School materials: Parents must supply consumable materials (notebooks, pencils, etc.). Teachers may request a small class contribution at the start of the year to buy shared materials for the class. Textbooks for Years 1–6 are provided free under local education provision.
- Extracurricular clubs and activity fees: Clubs provided by external commercial providers charge a fee; lunchtime and some afternoon activities financed by the Förderkreis are provided without extra charge to participating pupils, but externally run clubs require payment directly to the provider.
- School planner: EUR 6 at the beginning of the year.
- School clothing (optional): The school offers a hooded sweatshirt, T‑shirt and polo shirt with the school logo which may be ordered; prices for these items are set by the supplier and are charged to parents when ordered.
- Class day trips and overnight trips: Day‑trip costs are normally payable by parents. Overnight trip costs are charged to parents and are described as kept to a minimum; assistance may be possible in individual circumstances.

Refund information
- Refund and cancellation terms are handled by the party charging the fee: the Förderkreis manages its annual membership (with yearly termination rules and the ability to request a donation receipt), external club providers and trip organisers handle their own refund policies, and the caterer manages its own meal contracts. Parents seeking refunds or cancellations should use the relevant charging body's published process (the Förderkreis manages membership cancellations at the end of the school year).

Fee payment options
- Förderkreis membership fees are collected by annual debit from the parent's bank account at the start of each school year (SEPA/bank debit as indicated by the Förderkreis).
- Payment methods for other items vary by provider: the school planner and small classroom collections are typically handled directly at school (details provided to parents by class teachers), the meal service is registered and administered through the contracted caterer (ordering/payment arranged through the caterer's customer portal), and external club providers determine their own payment methods. Parents should follow the payment instructions provided by the individual charging body when a charge is issued.

Summary of specific published amounts and where figures are not published
- Published, specific amounts found:
- School planner: EUR 6 (charged at the beginning of each year).
- Midday meal: free for all pupils since 1 August 2019.
- Items described but without a fixed price published on the school or Förderkreis pages accessed here (amounts are set or invoiced by third parties and are not published centrally on the school pages): Förderkreis annual membership amount, prices for school‑logo clothing, prices for external club subscriptions, exact costs for overnight trips, and specific fee schedules for local authority after‑school care (eFöB). The Förderkreis site does state timing and debit procedure for membership fees but does not publish the membership amount on the public membership page.

If you require these specific amounts (for Förderkreis membership, uniform item prices, external club fees or eFöB contributions), those figures are set by the Förderkreis, the external providers or the local authority/hort operator and are not listed as fixed amounts on the school's public parent guide and Förderkreis membership pages accessed here.
Academics

Charles Dickens Primary School Berlin teaches Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum for students aged 6 to 12.

Curriculum
The Europe Branch is a State Europe School (SESB) offering English-German instruction. The aim is to teach German- and English-speaking children together, with classes ideally consisting of 50 percent German mother tongue and 50 percent English mother tongue students. English mother tongue teachers contribute language and culture, and students read and write in their mother tongue while developing the partner tongue through games and creative activities; reading and writing in the partner tongue begins in year two. The Europe Branch is an all-day school with attendance from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. English-taught subjects include English mother tongue, English partner tongue, Environmental Studies (years 1-4), History/Citizenship (years 5-6), Geography (years 5-6) and Science (years 5-6); German-taught subjects include German mother tongue, German partner tongue, Maths, Ethics and Religion, while Art, Music and Sport are taught in either language and French is offered as a foreign language in years 5-6.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports social skills and community through democratic education, the student parliament, and social-pedagogical work, including projects for EU grades 5 and 6 and support for transitions to subsequent schools.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Europe Branch implements German–English bilingual education with native English-speaking teachers; classes are designed so that roughly 50 percent of students are German-speaking and 50 percent English-speaking, and students learn to read and write in both mother tongue groups; English is taught by native speakers in subjects and as a separate language; French is offered in years 5–6.

Mental Wellbeing
A School Social Worker provides confidential counselling and support, including individual counselling, accompaniment to appointments, referrals to counselling centres, and social-pedagogical reporting; the service supports newly arrived families and works to prevent or respond to endangerment, with anti-bullying and democratic education initiatives.

Safeguarding
Child protection and school absenteeism are addressed; safeguarding aims to protect children from harmful situations by early identification of endangerment, strengthening children's rights, and coordinating with parents, educators, and external agencies.
Parent Experience

History
The Charles-Dickens-Grundschule in Berlin operates as a State European School with English-German instruction. It has two branches: a Europe Branch and a German Branch. The school is located at Dickensweg 15, 14055 Berlin.

Community
The Europe Branch is designed for German and English-speaking children to learn together in a bilingual setting. Classes aim for a 50/50 split between German and English mother-tongue students, with English-mother-tongue teachers contributing language and culture. Students learn to read and write in their own mother tongue group and develop the partner language through games, stories, and activities, beginning to read and write in the partner tongue in their second year. The Europe Branch runs all day, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. English-taught subjects by native English speakers include English (mother tongue and partner tongue), Environmental Studies, History/Citizenship, Geography, and Science (years 1–6). German-taught subjects include German (mother tongue and partner tongue), Maths, Ethics, and Religion. Art, Music, and Sport are taught in either English or German. French is offered as a foreign language in years 5–6. The school emphasizes bi-cultural and multi-cultural contacts to build self-confidence, tolerance, and cultural understanding. Extracurricular activities include supervision (7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), optional extended care (charged), lunch options, and activities with English native speakers funded by the Dickens Fund, plus clubs and workshops. A Parents Guide is available for more details.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The German Branch operates as Charles Dickens German Primary School and runs a half-day schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with supervision available from 6:00–7:30 a.m. and 1:30–6:00 p.m. (including lunch) on request for a fee. English starts with weekly lessons from year 1 and becomes part of the curriculum from year 3. Optional subjects are available in years 5–6, with Religion or Ethics also offered, and well-equipped afternoon care with four rooms and an indoor physical activity room.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Charles Dickens Grundschule site comprises three buildings on Dickensweg 15 in Berlin. House 1 contains a basement Art and Science room; on the ground floor there is an assembly hall, an English and German library, a kitchen, a sports hall, an ICT room and a lost property station, with Europe classes on the same level. The first floor houses the secretary, head teacher and staff rooms alongside Europe classes, and the second floor is dedicated to Europe classes. House 2 holds a ground-floor canteen and dining rooms and first-floor rooms for leisure time care (OGB). House 3 on the ground floor houses Europe classes and rooms for religious education, with German-part classrooms on the first and second floors. The Europe Branch confirms English–German bilingual provision and all-day operation from 8:00 to 16:00, with additional supervision options.

Sports Facilities
The venue includes a dedicated sports hall on the ground floor of House 1.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a basement Art and Science room; English and German libraries on the ground floor, and an ICT room in House 1. Europe classes are taught across multiple floors, with dedicated German-part classrooms on House 3 (first and second floors) and religious education spaces on the ground floor of House 3. The Europe Branch describes English-language subjects taught by native speakers (Environmental Studies, History/Citizenship, Geography, Science) and German-language subjects (German, Maths, Ethics, Religion), with certain subjects offered in either language (Art, Music, Sport). French is offered as a foreign language in years 5–6. All-day schooling runs from 8:00 to 16:00 with supervision options before and after school.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities include curricular-based activities and programs with English native speakers (financed by the Dickens Fund, membership required), plus offerings from external clubs and organisations such as theatre workshops, computer courses, football, choir and music lessons. Supervision is available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with additional hours before 7:30 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. (extra fee), and holiday supervision is also available. A choice of warm lunches is offered as part of the provisions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The library offers an extensive range of books in English and German. Pupils visit the library weekly during English or German lessons, and it is also open during lunch and afternoon breaks. Pupils may borrow up to three books free of charge, with replacements required for lost or damaged books. The library team includes three native English-speaking librarians funded by the Förderkreis, supporting language and literacy across the school.

Arts & Creative
Afternoon activities for free include Art, baseball, Bollywood dance, chess, and theater. Lunchtime activities include basketball, soccer, waveboarding, board and card games, origami, Pokémon, and a science club, organized by native speakers and paid specialists. The extracurricular program provides a broad range of creative and performance opportunities through the Förderkreis.

Cultural & Language
A bilingual German-English environment is supported by native speakers who provide additional exposure to English. The German-English school library offers a wide selection of non-fiction, mysteries, and stories, with all classes visiting weekly during English or German lessons. Donations fund library acquisitions, and the Förderkreis coordinates lunchtime and after-school language activities. The International Picnic is planned to be revived in May 2026.

Social & Hobbies
Lunchtime Clubs provide social and recreational activities during the lunch break, including basketball, soccer, waveboarding, board and card games, origami, Pokémon, and a science club. Afternoon activities include art, baseball, Bollywood dance, chess, and theater for free. These clubs foster friendships, teamwork and varied hobbies.

Community & Service
The Förderkreis is a volunteer association funding native-speaking staff, the school library, lunchtime activities, and extracurricular clubs. Membership fees and donations support life and learning at the Charles Dickens Primary School. Funding from the Förderkreis pays for library staff and library acquisitions, and supports enrichment activities such as language programs. International Picnic events help build community and celebrate cultural diversity.

Leadership & Professional
Students from 3rd to 6th grade form the School Parliament to represent peers and discuss topics important to school life. Representatives are elected and learn to discuss, vote, find compromises, and develop joint solutions as part of democratic education. The Parliament connects with external participation opportunities such as the Children and Youth Parliament of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. The School Social Worker supports the Parliament and student councils, fostering participation and leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school playground is designed as a dynamic landscape that encourages rope games, climbing, swinging and balancing, with four ping-pong tables and a tartan playing field. Lunchtime clubs include basketball, football, dance, slacklining, waveboarding, and more. The school hosts running events such as Charlie's Run and the Dickens Mile Run.
Languages

Language Provision
German and English are the languages of instruction in the Europe Branch; French is offered as a foreign language in years 5–6. Students are taught in both mother tongue and partner tongue, with core subjects in English taught by native speakers (Environmental Studies, History/Citizenship, Geography, and Science) and Maths, Ethics, and Religion in German; some subjects (Art, Music, Sport) are offered in either language. The program emphasizes intensive bi-cultural and multi-cultural contacts and aims to strengthen intercultural understanding.

Bilingual Teaching
The Europe Branch runs English–German bilingual education as a State Europe School (SESB). Classes include roughly equal numbers of German and English mother tongue children, ideally 50/50. English is taught by native English speakers and used for Environmental Studies, History/Citizenship, Geography, and Science; German is used for Maths, Ethics, and Religion. Some subjects, such as Art, Music, and Sport, are taught in either language.

Immersion Programs
Immersion is delivered through the Europe School bilingual program. Children are grouped by mother tongue and begin literacy in their MT language, with the partner language developed through games, stories, and creative activities. Core subjects are taught in English by native English speakers, while Maths, Ethics, and Religion are taught in German; Art, Music, and Sport are offered in either language. French is taught as a foreign language in years 5–6.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Registration for New Pupils joining First Class (Year 1) includes an OPEN Day on Saturday September 20 from 10.00 to 13.00. The school admits children who have English or German as their native language. Teachers meet with each child to assess their present stage of language development before admission. All children are required to have at least a passive understanding of the English language.

2. The registration period for the coming school year is from October 6 to October 17, 2025, Monday to Friday from 9:00–11:30 a.m. on site at the school. No registrations will be accepted before the registration period set by the Senate. You do not need a special appointment to register, you can simply drop by during the period.

3. Registration for transferring pupils (Classes 2-6) is accepted continuously. To register a child, go to the child's allocated school and fill out an Umschulungsantrag. You need the stamp from the other school on the transfer application. Bring the application, the child's birth certificate, and your identification card or address registration; copies of all required documents are required because the school cannot photocopy documents.

4. Please fill in the registration forms completely in clear, legible writing. Only fully completed application forms with all required documents can be accepted. Partially completed forms will not be accepted.

5. It is not possible to download the registration form. Applications for Charles-Dickens as second choice can only be considered if spaces are available. Registration forms cannot be accepted before the official registration dates.

6. You are personally responsible for registering your child; the allocated primary school will not do this for you. This applies to both first-class and transfer registrations. Ensure you present yourself during the official dates and times.

7. When accepted at the Berlin Europe Schools (SESB), sign a declaration which can be downloaded below. This includes the Declaration of Consent and information about personal data collection. The declaration must be signed for compliance with SESB requirements.
School Events
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