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Collège Français Bilingue de Londres

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees £15,440 - 18,306
Ages 3 - 15 years
Pupil numbers 700
Type Co-educational
Opened 2011
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Languages, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Collège Français Bilingue de Londres (CFBL) is a private school in London that follows the French National Education curriculum (AEFE homologation) and provides bilingual French–English education for ages 3 to 15. It operates under English law and is affiliated with the AEFE network and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Primary, teaching is split 50/50 between native French- and native English-speaking teachers, with 13 hours per language each week and content planned jointly. EAL/FLE support helps bilingual learners, and an additional English programme supports language development. In Secondary (from 6ème), five hours of English and British culture are taught; Spanish, German and Mandarin are offered as second languages, with some non-linguistic subjects taught in English. The school opened in 2011 in a listed Victorian building in Kentish Town and has a capacity of about 700 pupils. At the end of 3ème, pupils transfer to a French lycée in London (Lycée International Winston Churchill or Lycée Charles de Gaulle) or elsewhere; the Brevet international option is available. CFBL emphasises language learning and digital culture and offers extensive clubs.

87 Holmes Rd, London NW5 3AX, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Collège Français Bilingue de Londres has 700 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in French, English.

Location
Kentish Town, North West London, Camden. 87 Holmes Road, NW5 3AX. The area has good public transport connections and is near Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent's Park.

Stages
Nursery to Year 10 (ages 3 to 15).

Type
Private independent school under English law; follows the French National Education curriculum (homologation) and offers bilingual education.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 60 nationalities represented among 700 pupils aged 3 to 15.

Country affiliation
AEFE network; affiliated with France and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

School day structure
Primary day runs Monday–Friday, 8:45 am–3:30 pm (arrive from 8:30 am) with two breaks and lunch; five inset Wednesdays; Secondary runs Monday–Friday with nine 50-minute sessions; arrive from 8:15 am; two breaks (10:15–10:30 and 14:05–14:20) and lunch in multiple time slots.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
CFBL provides wraparound care for Early Years and primary pupils, including pre- and after-school care. Klubhouse operates on Wednesday afternoons and offers lunch and supervised activities. Bookings for wraparound care and CFBL Clubs are made via the Eduka platform. The arrangement includes published schedules and fees for these services.

Uniform Requirement
CFBL has a dress code. The official CFBL PE kit is required for PE lessons and includes a CFBL tracksuit, leggings or shorts, a CFBL T-shirt, and a CFBL sweatshirt, available from Ace Sports. A proper, decent dress code is required at all times; crop tops are prohibited, underwear must not be visible, and caps or hoods must be removed indoors.

Food Options
School meals are compulsory unless an exemption is granted for medical or administrative reasons. Bringing food from outside is not allowed unless authorized by the school nurse under a valid Healthcare Plan; CFBL is nut-free. Each pupil receives a personal canteen badge, with a replacement badge costing £10.

House System
CFBL has four houses: Chlorofox, Faeroceler, Bellynxhorse, and Lamperfly. Pupils earn points for their houses through various events, and the House Cup is awarded to the winning house at year end. A Sorting ceremony assigns new pupils to one of the four houses.

Governance and Ownership
CFBL is a private independent school under English law. The School is owned by Collège Français Bilingue de Londres Ltd., an English private company limited by guarantee with Charity number 1027932. Its Board of trustees comprises an equal number of elected parent trustees and external appointees, and is responsible for overall governance and financial management, working with the Headteacher to define the School's objectives and project. CFBL is part of the AEFE network and is homologated by the French Ministry of Education; in 2017 it changed its AEFE status from an établissement conventionné to a partner school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Collège Français Bilingue de Londres ranges from GBP 15,440 to GBP 18,306 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Non-refundable application fee: GBP 200.

Registration / first‑time enrolment fees

- First registration fee (one‑off, payable on acceptance):
- Petite Section (PS): GBP 1,500 (VAT not applicable).
- From Moyenne Section (MS) to 4ème: GBP 1,800 (equivalent to GBP 1,500 excl. VAT + GBP 300 VAT; shown as GBP 1,800 TTC).
- 3ème: GBP 780 (equivalent to GBP 650 excl. VAT + GBP 130 VAT; shown as GBP 780 TTC).
- Advance on fees payable at registration (deducted from the first term invoice): GBP 1,000 per pupil (paid on registration or re‑registration).

Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year — annual totals (per pupil)

- Petite Section (PS, Nursery): TOTAL ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES: GBP 15,440.
- Maternelle MS / GS: TOTAL ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES: GBP 18,306.
- Primary (Primaire): TOTAL ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES: GBP 15,882.
- Secondary (Collège): TOTAL ANNUAL SCHOOL FEES: GBP 16,162.

(Annual totals include educational fees and lunch/canteen fees; VAT applied to the educational fee component where indicated.)

Tuition fees by term (split of the annual total) — per pupil

- Payment structure overview: Annual fees are split into four instalments: an advance on fees (GBP 1,000) paid at registration, then three term invoices (one per trimester). The Q1 invoice includes the advance as part of the first term total.

- Petite Section (PS)
- Q1 total: GBP 6,950 (includes GBP 1,000 advance; educational fees excl. VAT GBP 5,450; lunch fees GBP 500).
- Q2 total: GBP 4,245 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,940; lunch fees GBP 305).
- Q3 total: GBP 4,245 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,940; lunch fees GBP 305).
- Annual total: GBP 15,440.

- Maternelle MS / GS
- Q1 total: GBP 8,240 (includes GBP 1,000 advance; educational fees excl. VAT GBP 5,450; lunch fees GBP 500; VAT on educational fees GBP 1,290).
- Q2 total: GBP 5,033 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,940; lunch fees GBP 305; VAT GBP 788).
- Q3 total: GBP 5,033 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,940; lunch fees GBP 305; VAT GBP 788).
- Annual total: GBP 18,306.

- Primary (Primaire)
- Q1 total: GBP 7,148 (includes GBP 1,000 advance; educational fees excl. VAT GBP 4,540; lunch fees GBP 500; VAT on educational fees GBP 1,108).
- Q2 total: GBP 4,373 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,390; lunch fees GBP 305; VAT GBP 678).
- Q3 total: GBP 4,361 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,380; lunch fees GBP 305; VAT GBP 676).
- Annual total: GBP 15,882.

- Secondary (Collège)
- Q1 total: GBP 7,273 (includes GBP 1,000 advance; educational fees excl. VAT GBP 4,540; lunch fees GBP 625; VAT on educational fees GBP 1,108).
- Q2 total: GBP 4,448 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,390; lunch fees GBP 380; VAT GBP 678).
- Q3 total: GBP 4,441 (educational fees excl. VAT GBP 3,380; lunch fees GBP 385; VAT GBP 676).
- Annual total: GBP 16,162.
- Note: The Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) fee for 3ème is not included in the annual total and is added to the Q3 invoice (approximately GBP 40, amount subject to change).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The expected sequence of payments: pay the non‑refundable application fee on application; if offered a place, pay the non‑refundable registration fee and the advance on fees (GBP 1,000) to confirm the place; the balance of the first term fee is invoiced and payable when billed; remaining terms invoiced and payable each trimester.

- Accepted payment channels: payment is accepted via the Eduka platform or by bank transfer only. Cheques are not accepted.

- Canteen: Canteen (lunch) is compulsory. Primary canteen covers 4 lunches per week (Wednesdays excluded); Secondary canteen covers 5 lunches per week. Canteen fees are included in the totals shown above.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school; there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees.

Other costs and additional charges

- PE kit / school uniform: The school has an official PE kit available from the authorised supplier (Ace Sports). The phased new PE kit cost is estimated at approximately GBP 25–30 per pupil (per year for required kit items). Second‑hand uniform sales are organised periodically.

- School supplies and textbooks: Parents provide school supplies; primary supplies and many primary items are included in the educational fees but some items are charged separately (textbooks for secondary pupils, specific maths supplies for certain year groups, etc.).

- Afterschool care, clubs and additional activities: Clubs, wraparound care and some trips (overnight trips excluded from the educational fees) are charged extra as applicable. Day outings (non‑residential) are included in the educational fee component; most residential/out‑of‑term trips are charged separately.

- Exam fees: The DNB exam fee (for 3ème) is invoiced in Q3 (approx. GBP 40, subject to change).

Refunds, cancellations and notice

- Application fee, registration fee and the advance on fees are non‑refundable. If you cancel after accepting a place, those amounts will not be reimbursed.

- Withdrawal during a school term: if a pupil is withdrawn during a term, the school will not refund fees or charges paid for the remainder of that term; fees for the following term will remain due unless the required written notice has been given in accordance with the school's notice periods.

- Exclusion or required removal: in the event of suspension, permanent exclusion or required removal, there is no refund of fees for the remainder of the term.

Short practical notes on invoicing items shown above

- Annual totals shown are the full billed amounts per pupil for the 2025–2026 academic year and are split across the term invoices as listed. VAT is applied to the educational fee component where indicated; lunch fees and some other items are VAT‑exempt.
Academics

Collège Français Bilingue de Londres teaches British Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 3 to 15.

Curriculum
CFBL offers bilingual French-English education following the French National Curriculum (AEFE homologation). In Primary (PSM to CM2), each class is taught half the time by a native French-speaking teacher and half by a native English-speaking teacher, with 13 hours per language per week and content defined by the two teachers working closely together. Primary English language support is provided by EAL/FLE staff and includes a supplementary English programme to support bilingual learners. In Secondary, from 6ème, there are five hours of English and British culture; Spanish, German and Mandarin are offered as second languages from 6ème, and some non-linguistic subjects are taught entirely in English. At the end of 3ème, pupils move to a French lycée in London (mainly Lycée International Winston Churchill or Lycée Charles de Gaulle) or another school in France or overseas; the Brevet international option is available.

Student Teacher Ratio
Primary classes are taught 50% in French and 50% in English by native French-speaking and native English-speaking teachers, with 13 hours per language per week. In Secondary, most learning sessions are conducted in groups of 30 pupils, with some subjects taught in smaller groups; up to 40% of teaching time occurs in small groups and there is a SENCO department.

Exam Results
Brevet results are published annually and have been high; in 2024, 63 entered and 63 passed (100%), with a substantial portion categorized as Very Good. iGCSE results are tracked for CFBL students who go on to take iGCSEs at partner Lycées, and those students are reported to be among the highest achievers of their cohort.

Higher Education Progression
CFBL provides Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to prepare pupils for career pathways in the French, British or international systems, in line with Gatsby Benchmarks and Parcours Avenir. Careers events include university visits, national and higher education fairs, and access to platforms such as ONISEP, UCAS and the National Careers Service. Destinations include French lycées in London, UK higher education institutions and other international destinations.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and talented pupils are offered differentiated work and may have a PPRE if appropriate.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
CFBL places well-being and personal development at the heart of its approach, fostering a welcoming, inclusive community built on mutual trust and respect. The school emphasizes social and emotional growth as part of a bilingual, multicultural education. A dedicated student support team helps pupils with problems, late arrivals, absences, or questions. The team includes a Student Support Coordinator, Education Assistants and Lunch-break Supervisors who monitor pupils in the playground, corridors and lunchtime, and coordinate educational activities. This emphasis on well-being is supported by a caring environment and opportunities beyond academics to develop social and emotional skills.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
CFBL has a full-time Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who works with educational teams and families to develop personalised support plans. In Primary, regular small-group teaching supports literacy and numeracy. In Secondary, learning support is provided for French, Maths and English with sessions in small groups during the school day. For pupils with PPRE, PAP or PPS, termly targets are set, progress meetings are held with parents, and one-to-one support may be provided where appropriate. Gifted and talented pupils are offered differentiated work and a PPRE to ensure appropriate challenge.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
In Primary, CFBL has two specialist EAL and FLE teachers to support beginners of English (and French as an additional language). They teach basic vocabulary and sentence structures and collaborate with class teachers to pre-teach vocabulary on topics being studied. In Secondary, the English programme is adapted to the levels and needs of students within non-streamed groups. Some Secondary subjects are taught entirely in English, such as certain non-linguistic areas. CFBL also runs a supplementary English programme in Primary described in Appendix 1.

Mental Wellbeing
The Health & Well-being provision includes a School Nurse (Designated First Aid Officer and Designated Safety Officer) who conducts health checks and coordinates care, with a School Doctor available by appointment. A psychologist and a speech therapist are on hand for appointments. Pastoral care is provided by a student support team, including a Student Support Coordinator, Education Assistants and Lunch-break Supervisors, who monitor pupils and coordinate educational activities. The school has a full-time SENCO who coordinates targeted support for pupils with additional needs. This integrated approach supports pupils' mental wellbeing alongside their academic progress.

Safeguarding
CFBL follows a comprehensive safeguarding framework with a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs (two DDSLs) to oversee day-to-day safeguarding. There are two nominated safeguarding governors who provide oversight and liaise with the DSL. Staff receive safeguarding and child protection training, with regular updates and annual reporting to the governing body. The school works within Camden multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements and cross‑agency procedures, and safeguarding considerations are integrated into policy development and practice. Records are kept securely and transferred appropriately when a pupil moves to another setting. The governing body ensures compliance with relevant statutory guidance and regulations.
Parent Experience

History
CFBL opened in September 2011 to address the shortage of places in the French lycée network in London. It began in Kentish Town in a former listed building that was renovated in 2010. The Kentish Town Educational Charitable Trust (KTECT) provided initial financing and support, including a £21 million loan and donations to launch the project. CFBL started as a conventioned establishment within the AEFE network and became a partner school on 1 September 2017, gaining greater autonomy while remaining under AEFE and the French Ministry of Education for quality assurance, with ongoing Ofsted evaluations in the UK. The school delivers a bilingual curriculum with 50% of teaching in French and 50% in English in the primary years, and 35-40% English in the secondary years.

Community
Established in 2011, CFBL welcomes 700 pupils from Nursery to Year 10 in a magnificent Victorian building in Kentish Town, at the heart of London. The school is an incubator for pupils in a warm and friendly environment where teachers help them gain confidence and strive for excellence. Pupils master the French curriculum in both languages and become caring, responsible citizens who gain world openness through trips, exchanges, and a community of over 60 nationalities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
CFBL Parents' Association (APC) is the Parents' Association of CFBL. It is apolitical and secular and registered with the Charity Commission under number 110 86 08. Since 2011, the APC has been at the heart of the relationship between the school and the parents' community, helping ensure a safe and thriving environment for pupils. Members can register to support projects and access member benefits; donations sustain APC activities. The APC runs fundraising events and supports the school, including opportunities to shop online and donate through Easyfundraising. The APC is part of a network with partner associations, including the Fédération des Associations de Parents d'Elèves à l'Etranger (FAPEÉ), the Fédération des Associations Françaises en Grande-Bretagne (FAFGB), and the French Scholarship Foundation.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
CFBL is housed in a listed Victorian building designed by Edward Robert Robson in 1874 and refurbished in 2010, with several areas designed for innovative teaching practices. The maximum capacity is 700 students. The school is located in Kentish Town, North West London, near Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, with good transport links. CFBL provides French-English bilingual education to around 700 pupils aged 3 to 15 and emphasises language learning and digital culture.

Sports Facilities
CFBL uses offsite high-quality sports venues. The multisport dome is a 10-minute walk away, where handball, netball, basketball, gymnastics, athletics, cricket and badminton are taught. Team sports are held on the artificial turf of Three Acres in Belsize Park, and large ground activities take place at the Market Road site in Islington. For athletics, CFBL rents the full-size Parliament Hill athletics track on Hampstead Heath, which is also used for cross-country. Outdoor activities include kayaking on the West Reservoir in Stoke Newington, and swimming at Kentish Town Baths (a three-minute walk from the school). Travel between CFBL and the venues is by private mini-bus.

Academic Facilities
CFBL has spaces designed for innovative teaching and uses the latest IT systems and software to support bilingual education. The Primary school library houses over 5,500 books and periodicals in French and English, plus 7 Chromebooks and 18 magazines, with lending services, reading workshops and author visits. The Secondary school library, located on the 2nd floor, is a large, well-lit resource centre run by a teacher-librarian and offers novels, newspapers, magazines, dictionaries, encyclopedias, electronic resources and ONISEP materials, supported by 15 Chromebooks and a printer, and open daily from 8:20 to 16:20. Both libraries provide access to online catalogues and e-sidoc resources. In addition, CFBL's bilingual structure means roughly 50% of Primary teaching is in French and 50% in English, with 35-40% of Secondary classes taught in English.

Extra Curricular Facilities
CFBL promotes extra-curricular activities across art, culture and sport. The school runs a program of sports and culture projects, including Sports Day, inter-school and inter-class competitions in handball and football, and occasional orientation trips. The school also organises annual trips such as Normandy (Year 6), Isle of Wight orientation (Year 7), sailing trips (Year 8), exchanges with Valencia/Alicante (Year 9), and an end-of-year trip to the south of France (Year 10).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Clubs focus on academic and intellectual development after school. They include beginner coding, coding in Java, video game design, and STEAM activities. Approximately 50 clubs are offered each term, run by CFBL teachers and external consultants. Registration for clubs is through the Eduka platform.

Arts & Creative
Visual arts, drama, dance, and music clubs are offered after school, including guitar. Clubs are open to all pupils and led by CFBL teachers and external specialists. Each term there are about 50 clubs available. Registration is via Eduka.

Cultural & Language
German, Spanish, and Mandarin language clubs are offered after school. These clubs are available to all pupils. They are led by CFBL staff and external consultants. Registration is via Eduka.

Social & Hobbies
After-school clubs cover sports and other leisure activities, including football, badminton, basketball, volleyball, and yoga, as well as arts and coding clubs to support hobbies. Clubs are run by CFBL teachers and external consultants. There are about 50 clubs offered each term. These clubs provide opportunities for social interaction and hobby development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Garderie provides supervised care before and after school, with a snack included. Klubhouse guarantees Wednesday afternoon supervision for all primary pupils, with meals and activities. Holiday camps run during certain school holidays and offer sports, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, film-making, and cooking. The program is coordinated by CFBL staff and external instructors.
Languages

Language Provision
CFBL is a French-English bilingual school based in London that follows the French National Curriculum. In Primary, two specialist EAL and FLE teachers support beginners in English and French. In Secondary, enrollment requires a minimum level of French, English support lessons are provided in years 7 and 8, and all students follow the International curriculum. A Twinkl Phonics-based English language program supports reading and spelling, with ongoing assessment described in the language guidance.

Bilingual Teaching
Classes are taught 50% in French and 50% in English up to Year 9. CFBL's mission is to provide students with the best of French and British educational cultures, while preparing them for life in the modern world. In Secondary, all pupils must have a minimum level of French to enrol, and the English programme is adapted to the levels and needs of students within non-streamed groups. CFBL has designed a supplementary English programme, a hybrid of the French and English National Curricula, with English and French class teachers sharing content in each year group.

Immersion Programs
Two specialist EAL and FLE teachers support beginners in English in Primary. In Primary, English and French class teachers share content and time is divided equally between them, with some topics taught in one language and some in both. The supplementary English programme is designed as a hybrid of the French and English National Curricula. In Secondary, some subjects are taught in English only, some in French, and some in both.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Step 1 Completing our online form: To apply for a place at CFBL, fill out the online application form. Apply as soon as online applications open to ensure the best availability of places, particularly for the Early Years. Families provide details about the child and parents or legal guardians, and pay the £200 non-refundable application fee.

2. Step 2: Decision of the admissions committee: The Admissions Committee meets regularly (about once per month) to allocate places. The first Admissions Committee considers applications submitted from the start of applications (early October) and allocates places according to oversubscription criteria: Priority 1: children of staff members; Priority 2: children who have a sibling registered at CFBL; Priority 3: children who has at least one parent working for one of the KTECT companies, who contributed financially to the foundation of the school; Priority 4: children from a homologuée school established in the United Kingdom transferring at the end of the schooling offered by said school; Priority 5: Pupils transferring from a school recognised by the AEFE or the MLF established in the UK; Priority 6: Pupils transferring from a school recognised by the AEFE or the MLF established outside the UK; Priority 7: Pupils transferring from a school accredited by the Ministry of Education established in France or pupils who have followed CNED. Once all applications with oversubscription criteria have been dealt with, if there are any places left to allocate, they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The second Admissions Committee takes into account the oversubscription criteria of applications submitted between October and December, and allocates any remaining places on a first-come, first-served basis, and so on. Admissions committees (for 2026-2027 applications): 1. 1st committee: Tuesday 11th November 2025 (application cut-off to be considered in this committee: Wednesday 5 November at 11.59pm) 2) 2nd committee: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 (application cut-off to be considered in this committee: Sunday 30th November at 11.59pm).

3. Step 3: Registration: Families will be informed of the outcome of the admissions committee (by email) within 4 working days, whether they are offered a place or not. If you are offered a place, please complete in EDUKA: Sign Acceptance form, Fill in Registration form, Submit all requested documentation (passports, birth certificate or French family book, proof of address, visa and exit certificate if applicable), and pay the registration fee and an advance on the first term's school fees, both non-refundable. Once these conditions have been met, the registration will be confirmed. This process must be finalised by the deadline in the offer letter, otherwise the school reserves the right to offer the place to another family. If you are not offered a place, unless you cancel your application, it will be taken into account at every subsequent Admissions Committee during the current school year. Please note that your application will not be carried over to the following school year. Families who have been unsuccessful in securing a place during the current school year will have to apply again the following school year, from October onwards.

Scholarships
French consulate: Means-tested bursary for French citizens on the French consulate's register; deadlines may differ from CFBL's; contact the French consulate if needed. French Scholarship Foundation: Provides financial support for school fees to families facing temporary financial hardship and supports CFBL and LIL Winston Churchill; online application; impartial and confidential; more information on FSF website. FECT Scholarships: CFBL offers FECT scholarships to 6ème students to reduce tuition fees for secondary years; four types: Excellence, Sports, CFBL Music and Arts, CFBL Merit; funded by KT Educational Charitable Trust; full details and application process available on CFBL site. Parents' Association (APC): Provides financial assistance including computer loan and one-off grants for trips and help with SEN diagnostic fees; more information on APC website.
School Events
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