doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
S

SIAL School

United Kingdom, London

Save school
Share
Navigate

· 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, Italian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 130
Type Co-educational
Opened 2010
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages English, Italian, French
Typical class size 16
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

SIAL.school is bilingual Italian–English primary school with a nursery, located at 154-156 Holland Park Avenue, London. It teaches all subjects in both languages from nursery through Year 6, with native Italian and English teachers delivering a bilingual curriculum that integrates Italian standards with the EYFS framework and the National Curriculum. The school is part of Sistema della Formazione Italiana nel Mondo and is recognised by both British and Italian governments. Classes are small—Reception up to 16 pupils and Nursery up to 20—with a 1:5 ratio in EYFS and 1:8 in KS1/KS2, plus extra language support and full-time Wellbeing Supervisor. The program covers Italian, English, Maths, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, ICT, Sport, Art, Music and Drama, with PSHE and Civics. Specialist music, art, drama and PE teachers, swimming from Year 1, and a forest school enrich learning. Outdoor spaces include a patio, terrace, nature area, mini-library and sand/water play.

154-156, 154 Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UH, United Kingdom

The Essentials

SIAL School has 130 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English, Italian.

Location
154–156 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UH, United Kingdom. Located in West London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, near Holland Park.

Stages
Nursery (ages 3–4) and Bilingual Primary School (up to Year 6).

Type
Independent private school with a nursery.

Additional learning support
Additional language support with specialist Italian/English as an additional language teachers and teaching assistants.

Country affiliation
Italian Curriculum integrated with the British education system; part of the Italian network of educational institutions worldwide (Sistema della Formazione Italiana nel Mondo).

School day structure
The school day starts at 8:20 AM with free before-school provision from 8:00 AM. Nursery arrival should be by 8:30 AM for registration at 9:00 AM; Primary registration is at 8:30 AM. End times: Year 1–2 finish at 4:00 PM on Mondays to Wednesdays and at 3:30 PM on Thursdays and Fridays; Year 3–6 finish at 4:00 PM every day; Reception follows Nursery hours. A school bus service for drop-off only is being considered, costing approximately £10 per day per child.

Bus service
A school bus service for drop-off only is being considered, costing approximately £10 per day per child.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Wraparound care is provided on site before and after school.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform. Uniform items are ordered from ACE Clothing and must be clearly labelled with the pupil's name. On PE days pupils wear the PE uniform.

Food Options
The school provides meals prepared on site with a four‑week lunch menu cycle. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired and accommodates allergies and other dietary requirements. Bread and Grana Padano cheese are always available, and allergen charts are published.

House System
The school has a House system. Each child is allocated to a House for the duration of their time at the school. House life includes rewards via house points.

Governance and Ownership
The school is an independent school run by SIAL.charity, a registered charity (Charity no. 1119966). SIAL.school is managed by SIAL.charity.
Fees
Application fees and deposits

- Registration (application) fee: £100 plus VAT, non‑refundable.
- Acceptance deposit to secure a place: £1,500, payable by the end of the January following an offer. The deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves the school provided a full term's notice has been received and all outstanding accounts have been settled.

Tuition fees (school year 2025–2026) — per year and per term

- EYFS (Nursery): £16,377 per year. Per term: £5,459.00.
- EYFS (Reception): £16,377 + VAT per year. Per term: £5,459.00 + VAT.
- KS1 & KS2 (Years 1–6): £18,300 + VAT per year. Per term: £6,100 + VAT.

What the tuition fees cover

- Lunches, books, exercise books and other learning materials, educational trips and learning enrichment workshops are included as part of the school fees for all year groups.

VAT, discounts and bursaries

- From 1 January 2025, education (and boarding where relevant) services supplied by private schools are subject to VAT at the standard rate (20%). Some published fee lines are shown with "+ VAT" where that applies.
- Sibling discount: 15% for the first sibling and 30% for the second sibling. Both sibling discounts apply to the fees of the youngest child.
- A means‑tested bursary scheme is available for all year groups.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school operates a three‑term academic year (Autumn, Spring, Summer). Families confirming a place by deposit are asked to pay the first Autumn term fee in advance (in the May before entry for September starters).
- The School reserves the right to change fees; a full term's notice will be given for fee changes. A minimum of a full term's notice is required for the removal of a child from the school; failing which a full term's fees must be paid in lieu of notice.
- Monthly Payment Option: a monthly payment plan via standing order is offered; this option carries an additional cost of £50 per term (£150 per year) per child. Extended Hours Provision fees and other extras are invoiced before the beginning of each term.

Wraparound care, after‑school clubs and other additional costs

- Before‑school provision: available from 08:00; this before‑school supervision is free of charge.
- Extended Hours (after‑school supervised care until 18:00):
- EYFS (3:15–18:00): £80 per week or £945 for the full term (based on £78 per week).
- KS1 & KS2 (approx. 15:30/16:00–18:00): £54 per week or £614 for the full term (based on £52 per week).
- Ad hoc sessions (where available) are charged at £20 per hour. Extended Hours Provision fees are invoiced before the beginning of the term.
- After‑school clubs (extra‑curricular activities) are available to all year groups. The average club fee is usually around £180 per term per club; specific club prices are published each term and payment for clubs is invoiced.
- Educational visit costs are included within the school fee (where applicable).

Uniform and associated costs

- School uniform must be worn and is available to order from ACE Clothing. ACE offers delivery to the school on the first Thursday of every month during term time, or delivery to home/office, or collection from their warehouse; uniform prices are charged by the supplier.

Refunds and cancellations

- The £1,500 deposit is refundable when the pupil leaves the school provided a full term's notice has been received and all outstanding accounts have been settled. A full term's notice is required to withdraw a child; failing to give this notice will require payment of a full term's fees in lieu. The registration fee (£100 + VAT) is non‑refundable.

Fee payment methods and invoicing

- The school accepts children's vouchers in part payment of fees. A monthly payment option via standing order is available (additional fee applies). Extended Hours and other additional services are invoiced before term start; after‑school club payments are also invoiced. For finance queries the school provides a finance contact (finance@sial.school) for invoices and booking arrangements.

Boarding

- SIAL.school is a bilingual Nursery and Primary day school (Nursery to Year 6). There is no boarding provision.

Summary of the most material amounts

- Nursery (EYFS) tuition: £16,377 per year / £5,459 per term.
- Reception tuition: £16,377 + VAT per year / £5,459 + VAT per term.
- Years 1–6 tuition: £18,300 + VAT per year / £6,100 + VAT per term.
- Registration fee: £100 + VAT (non‑refundable). Acceptance deposit: £1,500 (refundable on leaving subject to full term's notice and accounts cleared). Monthly payment option: extra £50 per term (£150 per year) per child. Extended Hours: EYFS £80/week or £945/term; KS1/KS2 £54/week or £614/term; ad hoc £20/hour. After‑school clubs average ~£180 per term per club.
Academics

SIAL School teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
The school is the only bilingual and bi-curricular school in the UK to teach all subjects in English and Italian from Nursery to Year 6. The Nursery (EYFS) and Primary School (KS1 & KS2) have a bilingual and bicultural curriculum in which Italian Ministry of Education standards are integrated with the EYFS Framework and the National English Curriculum. Coverage is divided into English and Italian with native-speaking teachers collaborating to reinforce bilingual objectives in both languages, and pupils start reading and writing in both languages from the start. The curriculum offers Italian, English, Maths, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, ICT, Sport, Art, Music and Drama for Years 1–6, with PSHE, Citizenship and Philosophy for Children as integral; P.E., Art, Drama and Music are taught by specialists. Classes are small (Reception up to 16 pupils; Nursery up to 20) with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 1:5 in EYFS and 1:8 in KS1/KS2, plus extra language support and a full-time Wellbeing Supervisor on site. Enrichment activities complement the bilingual curriculum, including educational trips, workshops by visiting experts, contests and charity involvement.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small classes, Reception up to 16 pupils; Nursery up to 20; average student-to-teacher ratio is 1:5 in EYFS and 1:8 in KS1 and KS2.

Exam Results
Progress and attainment are rigorously monitored to ensure all children reach the expected levels and strive to exceed them. In 2021-2022, 24% of pupils were new to the country in the last 12 months; 97% made expected progress in Reading, Writing and Maths in both languages; 44% exceeded expected progress. Historical data show progress in earlier years: 2018-2019: 36% new to country, 80% progress, 61% exceeded; 2017-2018: 36%, 83%, 67%. Note: data for 2019/20 and 2020/21 were not published due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school runs a Wellbeing Programme integrated into daily student life and employs a full-time Wellbeing Supervisor on site. Daily check-ins are a core part of pastoral care, with teachers conducting a dedicated circle time each morning. A Wellbeing Committee, made up of teachers and pupils, promotes the wellbeing of the whole school through projects such as the Box of Worries where pupils can share concerns. The environment is designed to be safe and trusting, with a focus on helping children become confident, fulfilled and resilient individuals. Social and emotional skills are developed alongside academic learning as part of the everyday school experience.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SIAL.school has a designated SENCO, the Deputy Headteacher, to oversee special educational needs. There is a SEND and learning disabilities policy in place. These arrangements reflect formal guidance for pupils with SEND as part of the school's policy framework. The school maintains structured processes to address SEND within its policy documents.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English-Italian as an additional language is recognised in the policy framework. For children needing extra support in either language, additional sessions are provided with specialist Italian/English as an additional language teachers and teaching assistants. The school also offers Italian language courses as part of its broader bilingual provision. Some specialist teachers deliver lessons in English to support language development and academic learning for all pupils. This bilingual approach supports language development in both English and Italian.

Mental Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Programme is integrated into student life and supported by a full-time Wellbeing Supervisor on site. Daily check-ins are an important part of pastoral care and are conducted each morning. A Wellbeing Committee of teachers and pupils promotes wellbeing across the school through targeted projects such as Box of Worries. The school aims to provide a safe, trusting environment where pupils feel supported to become confident, fulfilled and resilient individuals. Mental wellbeing is embedded as a core aspect of the school's everyday practice.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a priority and all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors are expected to share this commitment to protecting pupils. All staff are trained in Child Protection and the school actively listens to pupils, parents and staff, taking concerns seriously. Children are encouraged to talk to any adult if they have concerns. The school provides access to its regulation on the Protection of Minors for reference and clarity.
Parent Experience

History
SIAL.school is the only English/Italian bilingual and bi-curricular primary school with nursery in the UK. The school integrates the Italian Curriculum with the British education system and is recognised by both the British and Italian governments. It is part of the Sistema della Formazione Italiana nel Mondo, the Italian network of educational institutions worldwide. SIAL.school is managed by SIAL.charity, La Scuola Italiana a Londra, Charity no. 1119966. A Board of Governors provides leadership and has guided the school since its founding.

Community
School life is a multicultural environment where cultures come together and global awareness is encouraged. A strong partnership between teachers and parents underpins the education, with links between home and school encouraged to support each child's learning. SIAL welcomes families of all nationalities and engages the Italian and international London communities through school activities. Past events include Carnevale 2022, Westminster Abbey 2021, Halloween 2021 and National Gallery 2022.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Association is a not-for-profit organisation; the chair, secretary and treasurer are elected annually, and all parents can enrol and are invited to get involved. It promotes dialogue between school staff and families and provides opportunities for social interaction and communication outside the school. It supports the school with proposals, ideas, fundraisers and projects to improve services and educational activities. It maintains an Open Door policy for parent/carer input and meets periodically with or without staff to discuss concerns and implement initiatives. It runs initiatives and events open to the public to connect Italian and British communities in London, including Carnevale 2022, Westminster Abbey 2021, Halloween 2021 and National Gallery 2022. For information, contact sial.pa@sial.school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
SIAL.school is a fully bilingual Italian-English primary school with a nursery, located at 154-156 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UH. All subjects are taught in Italian and English from nursery through Year 6, with native Italian and English teachers delivering a shared bilingual curriculum that integrates the Italian standards with the EYFS framework and the British National Curriculum. The curriculum is delivered equally across the two languages and emphasizes bilingual reading and writing from the early years, with small class sizes of up to 16 students in Reception and 20 in nursery, and tailored educational plans. The school provides specialist music, art, drama and physical education taught in both languages, and offers swimming from Year 1. Outdoor learning spaces include a patio for outdoor lessons, a nursery terrace with a nature observation area, a mini-library, a sand area, water play and a mud kitchen, plus a forest school for the EYFS and KS1 with regular outings to connect learning to the surrounding environment.

Sports Facilities
Two hours of physical education are provided each week, with one session indoors and one outdoors, and swimming is offered from Year 1 onward. Outdoor PE takes place in a nearby park, and a forest school program engages EYFS and KS1 students in nature-based activity. The outdoor environment includes a patio for classes and a nursery terrace extending the learning space, along with a nature observation area, a mini-library, a sand area, water play and a mud kitchen that support active learning.

Academic Facilities
SIAL.school is the only bilingual school in London where all subjects are taught in Italian and English from nursery to Year 6. Children learn to read and write in both languages, immersed in two cultures and prepared to move between Italian and British education pathways or continue in an international school. The curriculum for EYFS and KS1/KS2 combines Italian standards with the EYFS framework and the National Curriculum, delivered by native Italian and English teachers who share a common bilingual curriculum and reinforce learning in both languages. Subjects include Italian, English, mathematics, science, French, history, geography, religion, ICT, sport, art, music and drama, with personal, social and health education and civics included as part of the program.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school offers a broad and diverse program of extracurricular activities, ensuring every child can find one or more activities they enjoy and providing opportunities to unwind after a day at school. Pre- and after-school care is available, and there are afternoon clubs. Music, art, drama and physical education are taught by specialists, and the school hosts regular performances and school-wide productions. The enrichment program includes field trips, workshops and external competitions, alongside opportunities for wellbeing and personal development.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school teaches all subjects in English and Italian from nursery to Year 6. The education is bilingual, bi-cultural and bi-curricular, integrating the Italian Curriculum with the British education system. Classes are small, with a maximum of 16 pupils, and lesson plans are tailored to each child. Enrichment includes educational trips, workshops, contests and charity involvement.

Arts & Creative
Music, art, drama and PE are taught by specialist teachers. Every child has access to high-quality music, art and drama lessons. The PE program offers a wide range of sports activities in a safe, supportive environment.

Cultural & Language
The school offers a bilingual English/Italian curriculum. Italian language and culture courses are offered through the school's charity since 2018. The school is the only English/Italian school in the UK.

Social & Hobbies
After-school clubs cover yoga, ballet, puppetry, video-making, football and cooking, among other activities. Clubs are offered in English and Italian for Nursery through Year 6. EY clubs include Mini Orchestra, Mini Musical & Drama, Football, Tap Dancing and Ballet; KS1/KS2 clubs include Fencing, Chess & Strategy Games, Musical Theatre, Karate, STEM Club, School Journal, Lego Robotics, Italian Booster, English Booster and 11+ preparation.

Community & Service
Enrichment activities include educational trips, workshops by visiting experts, contests and charity involvement.

Leadership & Professional
Italian Booster, English Booster and 11+ preparation support language development and academic planning. The School Journal is available as an after-school club to develop writing and leadership skills. Extended Hours Provision provides after-school supervision until 6:00 PM.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Before-school provision begins at 8:00 AM with supervision in the library. Extended Hours Provision offers after-school supervision until 6:00 PM. PE classes promote physical activity across a wide range of sports, and wellbeing-oriented activities are included in after-school clubs such as Yoga and Ballet.
Languages

Language Provision
English and Italian are taught. The bilingual English/Italian curriculum is used across nursery and primary, integrating the Italian Curriculum with the British education system. Italian language and culture courses have been offered since 2018 by the charity that runs the school. For children needing extra support in either language, there are additional sessions with specialist Italian/English as an additional language teachers and teaching assistants.

Bilingual Teaching
All subjects are taught in English and Italian from nursery to year 6. The school is described as the only bilingual English/Italian school in the UK.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Applications to join our bilingual primary school and nursery are accepted throughout the year for entry into any year group. Most children join SIAL.school in September, but in-year admission is possible if places are available. If this is your case, contact the Admissions Office directly. 2. To apply for admission, register your child with us. Registration can be made any time after the child's birth. The application deadline for the school year 2027-2028 is December 2026. There may be places available after the deadline, so contact the Admissions Office anytime throughout the year. You will be asked to pay a £100 plus VAT non-refundable registration fee. The registration fee covers administrative costs only and does not guarantee a place in the school. 3. Receive an offer: Places are normally offered at the beginning of December before entry, when the formal offer letters and relevant forms are sent to those on our registration list – i.e. for a place in September 2027, the forms would be sent at the beginning of December 2026. Places are allocated prioritising siblings and in order of declaration of interest. 4. Confirm your place: To secure the place, you are requested to return the forms with a copy of your child's identification (passport or birth certificate) and a deposit of £1,500 by the end of the following January – i.e. for a place in September 2027, by the end of January 2027. Please note that if the deadlines are missed, and full documentation and payment are not provided on time, the offer will be withdrawn. If there are still places available once all deposits have been received, offers are made to those on the waiting list until the classes are full. The deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves the school, provided a full term's notice has been received and all outstanding accounts have been settled.

Scholarships
Bursaries exist to ensure that children who would benefit from attending our bilingual school are not prevented from doing so because of the costs. A bursary can cover any proportion of the costs of fees up to 100% for those who are eligible. We judge each application carefully, considering the income and assets of the family. To apply for a bursary, you'll need to prove financial need. As well as providing evidence of your income, you may have to give details of your assets, other dependent family members, and even your spending habits, such as holidays. We review bursaries annually, but these will be continued at the same level if there are no material changes in financial circumstances. If there are changes in circumstances, bursary awards may be varied upwards or downwards. To apply for a bursary simply contact our Admissions Office at admissions@sial.school or 020 7603 5353.

Waitlist
Waiting list: If the relevant class is already full, your child will be added to our waiting list. Both our registration list and waiting list are ordered according to the date of registration (the date the form and payment have been received).
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Kingdom View all schools in London View all schools in United kingdom British curriculum schools in United Kingdom Open days & tours in London What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools