L'Ecole de Battersea

Trott Street, Battersea, London SW11 3DS. The school is located in Battersea, London. It serves pre-primary and primary pupils in a bilingual French-English program.

Pre-Primary & Primary (ages 3–11)

Pre-Primary & Primary bilingual school

The school is non-selective and welcomes pupils from diverse backgrounds. Support is provided within class or in one-to-one sessions or small groups by a member of staff. Individual plans from UK or French authorities can be used to support pupils; a Learning Support Assistant may accompany more severely challenged pupils; Occupational/Speech therapy sessions are not funded by the school.

School hours start at 8:30–8:45am with doors open at 8:45am. Home time is 3:15pm for most pupils, with late stayers until 4:00pm (doors close around 4:10pm). There are no classes on Wednesday afternoons; home time is 11:50am for Pre-Primary and 12:00pm for Primary.

Private School Bus Services are organised by Mark Bennett Ltd. A daily bus runs mornings and afternoons between Lycée Charles de Gaulle (South Kensington) and L'Ecole de Battersea.

The school is an international bilingual school following the French curriculum with parallel teaching from the English curriculum. Children are immersed in both languages and cultures throughout the day, in class, on the playground, in the canteen, in arts and sports, and on outings. The school is homologuée by the French Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale and is a partner of AEFE and registered with the English Department for Education. The school is inspected by the Inspector for French National Education and by Ofsted. All teachers hold English or French degrees, with teaching in both languages every day. Pupils aged three to eleven are taught across Pre-Prep (3 to 6) and Prep (6 to 11); the school opened in 2005 with 85 pupils and now caters for up to 265. Pupils born between September and December are equivalent to the English year below.

Following the French system, all pupils who complete their CM2 year (Year 6) have priority to enter AEFE secondary schools across the globe, with London options including Lycée Charles de Gaulle, Lycée Winston Churchill, and Collège Français Bilingue de Londres. Following the English system, many pupils go on to top senior schools in London such as King's College London, Whitgift, St Paul's, City of London School, and Dulwich College. The Prep School route helps prepare for 13+ at schools like Broomwood Hall, Fulham Prep, Newton Prep, and Thomas's Battersea, with 13+ destinations including Alleyn's, Eton College, King's College, St Paul's, Wellington, and Winchester. Local community secondary options are also available.

The school places pastoral care at the heart of its ethos; pupils' wellbeing is as important as academic achievements. It teaches values of friendship and respect and fosters a culture of care to support balanced daily life through activities and dedicated days. Weekly drop-in sessions are led by the Pastoral Care leader to give pupils a space to share concerns or feelings. Each class uses Sharing Boxes to enable pupils to express themselves and speak about worries in confidence. The school supports social and emotional development to help pupils grow into resilient and well-rounded individuals.

The school is non-selective and welcomes pupils from diverse cultural, linguistic and academic backgrounds. Pupils with specific needs are valued equally and supported to develop reading comprehension, spelling, personal organisation, and social skills. Support is provided within class and/or in one-to-one sessions or small groups by teaching staff, who regularly communicate with parents. Individual plans can be arranged with UK or French authorities to support neurodivergence conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or ASD; specialist services like Occupational or Speech therapy are not funded by the school and would be integrated into the educational team where appropriate. Some children may have a Learning Support Assistant to accompany them in lessons; EHCP funding can be provided by the council if applicable; otherwise funding is the parent's responsibility.

The school is an international bilingual school following the French curriculum with parallel teaching from the English curriculum. Languages are integrated across subjects, and pupils are immersed in English and French throughout the day in class, on the playground, in the canteen, in arts and sports, and on outings. All teachers are qualified with either an English or French degree, and pupils receive teaching in both languages daily. The school is homologuée by the French Ministère de l'Education Nationale and a partner of AEFE, and is registered with the English Department for Education (DfE); it is inspected by the Inspector for French National Education and by Ofsted.

Pastoral care is at the heart of the school's ethos; pupils' wellbeing is as important as academic achievements. Activities and dedicated days promote a balanced daily life. The Pastoral Care leader runs weekly drop-in sessions for pupils to share concerns or feelings. Sharing Boxes in each class provide a confidential channel for pupils to express worries. The school fosters a supportive environment to nurture mental wellbeing and resilience.

Safeguarding is a paramount priority; the safety, security and comfort of children and staff, both physically and online, are addressed to meet safeguarding and technological requirements. L'Ecole de Battersea recognises its responsibilities for child protection and the welfare of children, and safeguarding is a shared community responsibility. The school maintains up-to-date facilities and policies, including a Safeguarding Children Policy.

1. Age and intake. We welcome children from three years of age. For the September intake, children who turn three between September and December can start (age 2 years 9 months +), known as rising three's, and they must be potty trained to start. Children born in the same calendar year are placed in the same year group (for example, children born in 2022 could start in September 2025). 2. Waiting list and priorities. As soon as you submit your application, your child is added to the waiting list. Priorities are: siblings (registered within the 1st year of birth); pupils from L'Ecole des Petits moving to L'Ecole de Battersea; siblings of former pupils; children of former pupils. New applicants are listed by registration dates, with the time between birth and registration also considered. 3. Registration fee. A registration fee is payable when you apply: Petite Section £95 (VAT Exempt) or Moyenne Section to CM2 £114 (incl VAT). 4. Offers and admission fees. Offers are sent from October in the year before starting. On acceptance of a place, a non-refundable admission fee is due: Petite Section £1,350 (VAT Exempt) or Moyenne Section to CM2 £1,620 (incl VAT). 5. Fees and securing a place. New pupils joining in September must pay their first term fees in advance before 1 April to secure their place (see school terms and conditions). 6. Registration and visits. The school office is open Monday–Friday, 9:15am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–4:30pm. To proceed with registration, contact Mrs Daniélou to request a registration package. We encourage visits before enrolling; school visits are conducted on Friday mornings from October to May.

Waiting list priorities: siblings (registered within the 1st year of birth); pupils from L'Ecole des Petits moving to L'Ecole de Battersea; siblings of former pupils; children of former pupils. As soon as an application is received, your child is added to the waiting list. New applicants are listed by registration dates, with consideration given to the time between birth and registration.