doris
Currency
H

Halcyon London International School

United Kingdom, London

Save school

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £31,041 - 31,644
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 172
Type Co-educational
Opened 2013
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Spanish, Mandarin, French, Swedish, Japanese
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Halcyon London International School is a not-for-profit, co-educational IB world school in London for students aged 11 to 18. The curriculum blends the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with no GCSEs offered. Students in Grades 6–10 follow the MYP; Grades 11–12 pursue the DP, with some candidates earning IB certificates instead of the full Diploma. All qualifying students receive an accredited U.S. high school diploma. The school's on-site subject offering spans Language A and Language B, Mathematics, Sciences, Economics, History, Geography, Psychology, Business, and the Arts, with some online options and Mother Tongue language support. Halcyon's facilities include a Design Lab with a 3D printer and laser cutter, a well-equipped library, and dedicated DP study and careers spaces. The Innovation Team leads work on AI, service, and international mindedness. London's cultural and academic opportunities extend beyond the campus, enriching learning through institutions and trips.

33 Seymour Pl, London W1H 5AU, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Halcyon London International School has 172 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location

The school is located at 33 Seymour Place, London, W1H 5AU, in Marylebone, central London. It sits in the central London neighbourhood of Marylebone. The school is identified as Halcyon London International School in Marylebone, central London.

Stages

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 11 to 18.

Type

The school operates on a not-for-profit model.

Pupil Nationality Mix

156 students; 40+ nationalities represented.

Additional learning support

Halcyon provides accommodations for neurodivergent learners and counselling for social, emotional and mental health needs. The provision includes classroom support, differentiated lessons, digital tools, small group sessions, in-class assistance, specialist support, and a dedicated Learning Coach.

Country affiliation

United Kingdom

School day structure

ECAs start at 8am; lessons begin at 9am; lunch is provided; cognitive coaching, independent learning time and passion projects occur in the afternoons, with ECAs after 4pm.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school.

Food Options

In-house catering provides a daily vegetarian lunch, included in school fees.

Governance and Ownership

The school operates on a not-for-profit model. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Fees

Annual tuition at Halcyon London International School ranges from GBP 31,041 to GBP 31,644 for 2026/27.

Application fees and deposits

- Application fee: GBP 375 (inclusive of VAT).
- Acceptance deposit: GBP 1,800 (inclusive of VAT). Payable on acceptance of a place and refundable when the student leaves.
- Development fee (new student): GBP 2,250. Development fees are not prorated and are non-refundable.
- Development fee (returning student): GBP 125. Development fees are not prorated and are non-refundable.

Tuition fees (by year group)

- Grade 6–9: GBP 10,866 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms per academic year): GBP 32,598. Fees are stated on a termly basis.
- Grade 10: GBP 11,144 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms per academic year): GBP 33,432. Fees are stated on a termly basis.
- Grade 11–12: GBP 11,360 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms per academic year): GBP 34,080. Fees are stated on a termly basis.

Please note: the published tuition figures are termly amounts and the school operates three terms in the academic year. Tuition fees are not prorated and are non-refundable.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are published as termly amounts and correspond to the school's three-term academic calendar. Tuition is charged on a termly basis. Tuition fees are not prorated and are non-refundable. Specific invoice dates and payment-deadline terms are not published on the public fee summary.

Boarding

- Halcyon is a day school; boarding is not provided. Students must live with their parent(s) or legal guardian while enrolled.

Other costs and regularly recurring extras

- Digital device: cost variable depending on device (Grades 6–9: Apple iPad; Grades 10–12: laptop).
- Digital apps: approximately GBP 50 per school year.
- PE kit: typically GBP 15–30 per item.
- Sports programme (optional): GBP 100 per term.
- Halcyon Parent Community subscription: GBP 40 per school year.
- Mother Tongue Programme and limited optional trips: fees vary depending on course or trip location.

Additional inclusions in tuition (no separate charge): morning snack, daily vegetarian lunch, many day trips, an annual residential trip, examination fees, books and materials for art and science, and Pamoja online tuition for applicable courses. All of these are listed as included within the tuition. Tuition is described as non-refundable and not prorated.

Tax / VAT treatment

- The school's published material states that fees are liable for VAT at 20% and explains which items are shown inclusive of VAT (for example, the application fee and acceptance deposit are shown inclusive of VAT). Some other fees are published exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

Refund information

- Acceptance deposit: refundable when the student leaves.
- Tuition fees: not prorated and non-refundable.
- Development fees: not prorated and non-refundable.

Fee payment options

- The school's public fee summary provides the amounts, deposits and the terms above; explicit, detailed payment-method instructions (for example, which card types are accepted, whether online card payment, Flywire, or particular bank-transfer instructions are offered) are not provided on the publicly published fee summary. For confirmed payment methods and invoice/payment instructions, contact the Admissions or Finance team directly using the published school contact details.

Summary of what was checked and what is not published in the public fee material

- Published and verifiable items included here: termly tuition amounts by grade band, application and acceptance deposits, development fees, the list of additional/optional costs and inclusions, VAT status, non-refundable and non-proration rules, and that the school is a day school. These items are taken from the school's published fee information and the school's term calendar confirming three terms per year.
- The school's publicly posted fee pages do not include detailed invoice-dates, payment deadlines, or an explicit list of accepted electronic payment methods. For the exact billing schedule, invoice timing, and accepted payment methods, contact Admissions or the Finance office using the school's published contact numbers.
Academics

Halcyon London International School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum

Halcyon offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB DP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) curricula and does not offer GCSEs. Grade 6–10 follow the IB MYP curriculum, while Grade 11–12 follow the IB DP, leading to external IB examinations; some students may take IB certificates instead of the full Diploma. All qualifying students also receive an accredited U.S. high school diploma. The on-site IB subject offerings include Language A: Language and Literature (English, Spanish, French, Mother Tongue); Language B: Language Acquisition (English, Spanish, French, Mother Tongue); Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches; Applications and Interpretations) at HL/SL; Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems and Societies); Economics, History, Geography, Psychology, Business Management; The Arts (Music, Theatre, Film, Visual Arts), with some courses available online. Languages offered at various levels include English, Spanish, French, and Mother Tongue, with additional languages available at HL/SL.

Student Teacher Ratio

5:1

Exam Results

Pass rate: 96%. Average IB Diploma score: 34; average highest Diploma Programme score: 41; 15% of students achieved 41+ points. 32 IB subject offerings.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates pursue higher education at universities in the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe, including Imperial College London, University College London, King's College London, London School of Economics, University of Edinburgh, and University of Warwick; many graduates also matriculate at U.S. institutions such as Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), New York University (NYU), and The New School (Parsons).

Gifted and Talented

Generous means-tested bursaries are available for academically high-attaining students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Wellbeing Programme is designed as a student-led, holistic approach to wellbeing. Halcyon uses a human-centred approach with relational foundations that foster autonomy and agency in learning. Students take ownership of their mental and emotional health, gaining lifelong skills for self-care and resilience. Wellbeing is foundational to academic, emotional, and social flourishing; when students feel safe, valued, and supported, they are more engaged. All teachers are trained as cognitive coaches and every student is assigned a teacher-mentor, with at least 15 minutes of private mentoring each week. The Wellbeing Team includes a Student Wellbeing Lead, a Restorative Practitioner, a Learning Coach, a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a Deputy.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Halcyon's admissions policy expects a strong academic background to manage the IB curriculum. The school is resourced to provide accommodations for frequently occurring needs for neurodivergent learners. A counselling service supports social, emotional and mental health needs. The school aims to unlock each student's potential through personalised educational approaches within an inclusive learning environment. Every child is encouraged to participate in all aspects of school life; the additional educational needs provision is an integral part of classroom practice and includes Classroom Support, Differentiated Lessons, Digital Tools, Small Group Sessions, In-Class Assistance, Specialist Support, and a Dedicated Learning Coach.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English Plus (EAL) is part of Halcyon's languages programme. It provides opportunities for students arriving from around the world to learn English. English Plus began with the arrival of IB English teacher Lindsey Fairweather in 2020 and has evolved since. It is delivered in coordination with Rahana Ahmed, who also supports progression to English B (Grades 10-12). The program is woven into subjects like science and maths, with teachers contributing to multilingual learners.

Mental Wellbeing

The school provides a counsellor available two days a week to support student mental health. Counselling sessions are available to anyone in the community, whether referred by the Wellbeing Team or requested directly. Mindfulness is embedded in classroom practice and all teachers are cognitively trained to deliver it. The Wellbeing Team includes a Student Wellbeing Lead, a Restorative Practitioner, a Learning Coach, a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a Deputy, ensuring mental wellbeing is a centralized concern. The Wellbeing Programme uses the Human Givens Institute's Emotional Needs Audit to address core emotional needs.

Safeguarding

Halcyon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. Safeguarding and child protection is everyone's responsibility; this policy applies to all staff, volunteers and trustees and extends to extended school and off-site activities. Staff and volunteers are expected to act in the best interests of the child and maintain an ‘it could happen here' mindset. The safeguarding team includes staff such as Asil Al-Shammari and Shah-Noor Ashraf. The school maintains staff recruitment safety procedures and anti-bullying and health and safety policies that apply across the school.
Parent Experience

History

The school was founded in 2012 by four visionary parents as a not-for-profit international school, with community and innovation at its heart. In 2013, Halcyon opened its doors. The International Baccalaureate (IB) was chosen as the cornerstone of the curriculum to foster academic and personal development. Fees are reinvested into the school rather than distributed to shareholders. A dedicated Innovation Team focuses on exploring AI, service, and international mindedness.

Community

Our Community - including parents, students, teachers, support staff and alumni - is at the core of Halcyon's IB learning environment. With a student body from 6 continents and 36 nationalities and a staff body from over 46 nationalities, Halcyon's small community has a large reach. The Our Community page outlines several teams and roles that support school life, such as Our Teaching Team, Our Wellbeing Team, Our Non-Teaching Team, Our Catering Team, Our School Leadership Team and Our Board of Trustees.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Halcyon Parent Community (HPC) is Halcyon's all-parent, all-volunteer group dedicated to cultivating a sense of community among parents and families. Their mission is to support Halcyon teachers and students, enhance learning opportunities, and celebrate the achievements of the Halcyon community. HPC leadership engages with the School Director and Senior Leadership Team to share class feedback, receive updates, and cultivate community through events and activities, and they facilitate communication between HPC and all families. Founded by four parents in 2013, HPC offers involvement opportunities including Committee and Non-Committee Roles, with positions such as Co-chairs, Community Coordinator, Treasurer, Communications Lead, Sports Coordinator, and more, plus the Buddy Family Programme and other events.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Versatile classrooms are equipped with Apple TVs and whiteboard tables. Science and design laboratories have cutting-edge equipment to support a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. An Additional Educational Needs provision includes a Learning Coach in a dedicated office to support mild to moderate learning needs and to lead staff development for inclusive practice. The library offers a cosy onsite space with a 24/7 online catalogue, and Westminster Library membership provides extended resources. London serves as the classroom beyond the campus, with opportunities to engage with central London's universities, theatres, museums and exhibitions.

Sports Facilities

The school has an on-site hall space for indoor activities such as table tennis, dance and fitness. It also uses nearby leisure centres and spaces including Paddington Recreation Ground and Hyde Park to offer a broad sports program. The sports program includes football, basketball and volleyball, as well as dance, running and kickboxing. This combination provides diverse athletic experiences for Halcyon students.

Academic Facilities

Design Lab is a state-of-the-art facility with a 3D printer, laser cutter and workshop table enabling a range of projects from traditional woodworking to digital design. Diploma Programme students have a dedicated study space, acting as a social hub and collaboration area, with the Diploma Coordinator and Careers staff based there. The library is a vibrant learning hub with an onsite collection and a 24/7 online catalogue, plus Westminster Library membership for extended resources. All students work from an iPad or a laptop, and lessons and student work are uploaded to Google Classroom, with subscriptions to Google for Education and Canva for Education.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Arts: The vibrant studio space offers diverse media and materials, and student portfolios are built in-house with artwork displayed throughout the building. Music: A wide range of instruments is available for lessons and peripatetic classes; students can join the school band and perform in the annual music showcase. Sports: The on-site hall supports indoor activities, and nearby spaces such as Paddington Recreation Ground and Hyde Park support football, basketball and volleyball, plus dance, running and kickboxing. London as our classroom: IB learners extend their learning by engaging with central London's universities, theatres, museums and exhibitions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Halcyon is an IB school for students aged 11 to 18 and the only not-for-profit IB school in London. The curriculum integrates the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme, with teachers and students collaborating to deepen understanding and ask challenging questions. Innovation is central to teaching, with a Digital Learning Coach and the use of Canva and AI tools like DALL-E to create bespoke virtual learning environments, preparing students for a digital future. The learning approach emphasizes enquiry, collaboration, and developing autonomous, resilient learners.

Arts & Creative

A comprehensive Music Programme exists within the MYP and DP frameworks. Instrumental lessons cover drum kit, piano, guitar, woodwind, violin, trumpet, bass guitar, plus choir and music production. An Annual Music Show showcases student performances, with bands in the middle years and solo/ensemble pieces for older students. Tim Burtenshaw is the Dedicated Music Programme Lead, guiding the programme.

Cultural & Language

Language offerings include English, Language Acquisition, and Mother Tongue & English Plus (EAL) programmes, supporting English language development and multilingual learning. The IB Language, Literature and Language Acquisition area covers these languages to develop critical, creative, and personal approaches to texts. The curriculum also emphasises cross-language communication and intercultural understanding within the IB framework.

Social & Hobbies

The Co-Curricular offer blends compulsory and voluntary clubs, trips and activities through ECAs and the Explorations Programme, plus Discovery Days and Overseas Trips. Examples of ECAs include Medics Club, Law Society, Model United Nations (MUNISH), Coding Club, and the broader Sports Programme. The Explorations Programme for Grades 6-9 includes options such as Robotics, Digital Photography, and London Culture Walks, developed collaboratively with staff and students. Residential and Overseas Trips further enrich student life.

Community & Service

Student Agency encompasses forming clubs and explorations that extend learning beyond the classroom into the community. The Wellbeing Programme supports social and emotional learning and mentors, with a dedicated Wellbeing Team and a Student Wellbeing Lead on the Senior Leadership Team. External community outreach is highlighted through activities such as Education For All Morocco, connected with university and careers guidance. Overseas trips provide cross-cultural engagement with destinations including Madagascar, China, and Italy (with USA trips planned).

Leadership & Professional

A dedicated Director of University and Careers Counselling provides one-to-one and group guidance starting in Grade 9, helping students prepare for higher education. The director coordinates university visits, connections with global admissions offices, and a range of workshops and events such as mock interviews, personal statement guidance, and university fairs. The programme emphasises experiential learning and college- and career-ready development, with strong ties to external universities and admissions officers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Programme is integrated across all aspects of school life, focusing on social and emotional learning and student autonomy. Mindfulness is embedded in classroom practice, and staff are trained to teach mindfulness to support focus and well-being. Restorative Practice and dedicated mentoring foster respectful relationships and ongoing personal development. A school counsellor is available two days a week to support mental health for anyone in the Halcyon community.
Languages

Language Provision

Languages taught include English as the language of instruction. Lang B options in the MYP are Spanish or Mandarin; the Diploma Programme offers French and additional acquisition languages. The Mother Tongue Programme provides more than 10 languages (including French, Swedish and Japanese) and can adapt to student needs. English Plus (EAL) supports learners arriving from overseas to gain proficiency in English.

Bilingual Teaching

The school teaches in English and provides a second-language pathway. Lang B is offered in Spanish or Mandarin in the MYP, and French plus additional acquisition languages are available at the Diploma Programme level. A Mother Tongue Programme allows students to study their home language in bespoke tasks in small classes. English Plus (EAL) supports multilingual learners.
Reputation

Awards

null

Accreditations

Independent Schools Association
International Baccalaureate
Council of British International Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Admissions

Admissions

The school welcomes students prepared to embark on a rigorous International Baccalaureate programme of self-directed learning to discover their unique potential. The best way to understand Halcyon's learning approach is to visit classes on a guided tour led by the admissions team or a student ambassador, to hear first-hand the impact of Halcyon education. Private tours are offered throughout the year and Open Events allow families to meet the Director, Admissions Team and Student Ambassadors and observe classes in action. A Taster Evening for students entering Halcyon in 2026/27 is listed for 21 October 2025.

Scholarships

The school offers means-tested bursaries for academically high-achieving students who might not otherwise afford Halcyon, and hardship support for families facing unexpected financial changes. Details are organized under Our Bursary, including Scope, Eligibility and Application Process.
School Events
The school has not added events