How to Apply to Bilingual Primary Schools in London

London has a small but growing number of primary schools that offer bilingual or immersion education from Reception. Competition for places is intense and application timelines are unforgiving. This guide explains the options available, how the application process works, and what to consider when planning the pathway from nursery to primary school.

What bilingual primary provision exists in London?

Bilingual primary education in London falls into four broad categories:

State-funded bilingual primaries. A handful of state schools in London operate bilingual streams, most notably in French. These schools are part of the state system, charge no fees, and are oversubscribed. They are allocated through the local authority admissions process.

The French Lycée system. The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington provides education from maternelle (equivalent to nursery) through to the baccalauréat. It is not a UK state school but receives partial funding from the French government and charges fees on a sliding scale linked to parental income. Sibling priority and early registration are both important for securing a place. For families in outer west London, the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill in Wembley Park offers an alternative French-medium pathway through to secondary level.

Independent bilingual primary schools. Several independent (fee-paying) schools in London offer bilingual or international curricula with teaching in two languages. L'École de Battersea in south-west London is one example of a well-established French-English bilingual independent primary. For German-speaking families, the Deutsche Schule London in Richmond provides German-medium education from nursery through to secondary level. These schools operate their own admissions processes separate from the local authority system.

International schools. London has a significant number of international schools following American, International Baccalaureate, or other curricula that may include instruction in a second language. These are fee-paying and often have selective admissions.

For families focused specifically on French bilingual education, the pathway from a French immersion nursery to the Lycée — or to one of the state bilingual primaries — is well-established. For other languages, primary bilingual provision in London is more limited, and parents may need to supplement school provision with Saturday language schools or private tuition.

The state school admissions process

If you are applying to a state-funded primary school in London (including state bilingual schools), the process is managed through your local authority and follows national timetables.

Key dates for a September start in Reception:

September–October (the year before your child starts school): Applications open. Your child must turn five during the school year they are starting.
15 January (deadline): Applications must be submitted online via your local authority's admissions portal. This is a firm national deadline — late applications go to the back of the queue.
16 April (National Offer Day): Offers are made. You will receive a single offer and must accept or decline by a specified deadline (usually two weeks after offer day).

You can apply to up to six schools, ranked in order of preference. You do not have to name only schools in your own borough — you can apply to schools in any London borough.

Admissions criteria at state bilingual schools typically prioritise children in the following order: looked-after children and children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school; siblings of current pupils; children living within a defined catchment area; and other children. Some state bilingual schools have additional language-related criteria — for example, a French bilingual stream may prioritise children with French spoken at home, or children who have attended a named feeder nursery. Check the school's admissions policy (published on their website and on the local authority's admissions pages) for the specific criteria that apply.

Applying to the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle

The Lycée operates its own admissions process, separate from the local authority system.

Registration opens approximately two years before the intended start date for maternelle (equivalent to nursery/Reception). Registration for the primary section typically opens around 18 months before the start date.

Admissions criteria prioritise French nationals, children of staff, then other applicants. Siblings of current pupils receive priority. There is a language assessment for older children joining the school, but not for maternelle entry. Fees are set on a sliding scale based on parental income and are calculated differently for French nationals, EU nationals, and others. The school publishes its fee schedule annually.

If the Lycée is your priority, register as early as possible — even before your child is born — and consider attending one of the school's open events.

Saturday language schools

For families whose primary school does not offer bilingual education, Saturday and complementary schools are an important option for maintaining or developing language skills through primary age.

London has a well-established network of Saturday schools for many languages — French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Polish, Arabic, and many others. These range from full morning programmes following the curriculum of the country of origin, to informal conversation and culture classes. Many are run by community associations, embassies, or cultural institutes. The best Saturday schools provide consistent language and literacy instruction that meaningfully extends a child's bilingual development beyond what they can receive in an English-medium primary school.

The quality and intensity of Saturday schools varies considerably. Those following the curriculum of the home country, with formal instruction in reading, writing, and grammar, tend to provide more substantial bilingual development than informal conversation groups. London's main cultural institutes are reliable starting points for finding provision in specific languages:

French: The Institut Français du Royaume-Uni in South Kensington offers French language courses for children from early years.
German: The Goethe-Institut London provides German language courses and can signpost to community Saturday schools.
Spanish: The Instituto Cervantes London does the same for Spanish.
Mandarin: Confucius Institutes affiliated with London universities run community Mandarin language programmes.

A note on catchment areas

Unlike many other parts of England, London's school admissions market is highly competitive and catchment areas for oversubscribed schools can be very small — sometimes only a few hundred metres. If access to a specific bilingual primary is important to your family's long-term plan, it is worth researching the school's admission distance data (published in annual admissions statistics) before making decisions about where to live.

Planning the pathway

For families committed to bilingual education from early years through to secondary, the most effective approach is to plan the pathway before nursery entry:

Identify your target primary school and understand its admissions criteria.
Check whether attending a specific nursery gives any advantage in admissions — some bilingual primaries have named feeder nurseries.
Register early for any schools or programmes that operate their own admissions process (the Lycée, independent schools).
Apply on time through the local authority system for state school places.
Consider Saturday school provision as a supplement, particularly if your primary school does not offer bilingual teaching.

Frequently asked questions

Are there state-funded bilingual primary schools in London?

Yes, though the number is limited and places are heavily oversubscribed. A small number of state schools in London operate bilingual or dual-language streams, primarily in French. These are allocated through the standard local authority admissions process and typically prioritise children with the relevant home language or siblings of current pupils. Check the individual school's admissions policy for specific criteria.

How do I apply to the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in London?

The Lycée operates its own admissions process, separate from the local authority system. For maternelle (nursery/Reception equivalent), registration typically opens around two years before the intended start date. The school prioritises French nationals, children of staff, and siblings of current pupils. Fees are charged on a sliding scale linked to parental income. Register as early as possible — the school holds open events where you can learn about the process directly.

What is the deadline for state primary school applications in London?

15 January in the year your child is due to start Reception (the September after they turn four). This is a firm national deadline — late applications go to the back of the queue. Applications are submitted online through your local authority's admissions portal, and you can apply to up to six schools in any borough.

Are there German or Mandarin bilingual primary schools in London?

For German, the Deutsche Schule London in Richmond provides full German-medium education from nursery age, though it is a fee-paying independent school rather than a state option. For Mandarin, dedicated bilingual primary provision within the state system is very limited — most families supplement an English-medium primary with Saturday school or Confucius Institute programmes. See our guide to best areas for bilingual nurseries for the nursery-age landscape by language.

What are Saturday language schools and which ones operate in London?

Saturday schools (also called complementary or heritage language schools) typically run on Saturday mornings and provide formal instruction in reading, writing, and grammar in the minority language, often following the curriculum of the home country. The Institut Français, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, and Confucius Institutes at London universities are established starting points for finding provision in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin respectively.

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