International Schools in London for Diplomat Families

London has one of the most developed international school markets in the world. Every serious option is fully private, every option is expensive and from January 2025 most fees are subject to 20% VAT. The factors that tend to shape school selection are curriculum continuity, geographic proximity and what the subsequent posting is likely to require.

What typically matters early

VAT on school fees applies from January 2025. Most London international school fees now carry 20% VAT on top of published tuition rates. The all-in fee includes VAT at 20% on top of published tuition rates; the current figurectly with each school is advisable before budgeting.

ASL does not offer the IB Diploma. For families on the IB pathway or anticipating a non-Anglophone next posting, curriculum portability is a material factor in shortlisting.

Application timelines are school-specific and competitive. There is no centralised admissions platform. Each school sets its own deadlines. At senior year groups, places fill quickly and applications submitted early in the posting cycle tend to have more options.

EJM admission is employer-linked. The European School London is available only to EU institution staff following the European Schools curriculum. Eligibility is employer-linked.

School location determines neighbourhood. St John’s Wood for ASL, south or central London for ISL and ICS. Housing decisions made before a school place is confirmed frequently require revision.

In short

Curriculum framework (IB, American or European Baccalaureate) tends to be the first shortlisting filter
Applying to two or three schools simultaneously is the common approach once a posting is confirmed
20% VAT applies to most fees from January 2025; the all-in cost exceeds published tuition figures
The all-in fee including VAT is worth confirming directly with each school before budgeting
Housing decisions in London typically follow school confirmation rather than precede it

How the system works in London

London’s international school market is entirely private. There is no state-sector equivalent of the Lycée International in Paris and no low-cost pathway into a strong international curriculum.

There is no centralised application platform. Each school manages its own admissions, sets its own calendar and applies its own criteria. The dominant curriculum split is between the IB continuum which is globally portable and the English National Curriculum which is strongest for families planning a return to the UK system.

VAT at 20% now applies to most London independent school fees from January 2025. Some schools absorbed part of the increase; most passed the majority through. The gap between the published tuition figure and the all-in cost is now material. The gap between the published tuition figure and the all-in cost is now material and worth confirming directly with each school.

The main options

Option 1: IB continuum

Full IB pathway from early years through to the Diploma. Globally portable. The strongest choice for families facing subsequent postings to non-Anglophone countries.

Typical profile: Families prioritising curriculum portability across multiple postings.
Watch out for: VAT on fees from January 2025 and competitive admissions at senior year groups.

Option 2: American curriculum

US curriculum through to Grade 12 with Advanced Placement. No IB Diploma. The natural choice for American diplomatic families.

Typical profile: American families and those already in the US curriculum system.
Watch out for: No IB Diploma at ASL is a significant consideration if the next posting is likely to be non-Anglophone.

Option 3: American and IB combined

Schools offering both American and IB pathways on the same campus. Useful for families uncertain about the next posting.

Typical profile: Families needing curriculum flexibility across future postings.
Watch out for: Outer west London or Surrey location adds commute time from central diplomatic areas.

Option 4: European Baccalaureate

European Schools curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate. Admission subject to EU employer eligibility. Not available to all diplomatic families.

Typical profile: EU institution staff and families following the European Schools system.
Watch out for: Admission eligibility is employer-linked and varies by family background.

Recommended schools

The American School in London (ASL)

Typical profile: American diplomatic families; families already in the US curriculum system
Key advantage: strong AP programme; central St John’s Wood location close to embassy clusters
Key limitation: no IB Diploma: significant if the next posting is non-Anglophone
Location: St John’s Wood (NW8)

International School of London (ISL)

Typical profile: families committed to the IB continuum across multiple postings
Key advantage: full IB pathway from early years through Diploma; strong international community
Key limitation: south London location requires transport planning from most diplomatic residential areas
Location: Wandsworth (SW18)

International Community School (ICS)

Typical profile: families needing a central London IB option with flexible mid-year admissions
Key advantage: Marylebone location practical from most diplomatic neighbourhoods; experienced with late diplomatic arrivals
Key limitation: smaller school; fewer extracurricular options than ASL or ACS
Location: Marylebone (W1)

ACS International Schools

Typical profile: families in outer west London or Surrey; families wanting American and IB options on one campus
Key advantage: three campus options; dual curriculum offer; most flexible option in the London market
Key limitation: distance from central London missions makes daily logistics more complex
Location: Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon

European School London (EJM)

Typical profile: EU institution staff whose families are following the European Schools curriculum
Key advantage: the only European Baccalaureate pathway available in the UK
Key limitation: admission is employer-linked and not available to all diplomatic families
Location: Culham, Oxfordshire

How to proceed

Decide on curriculum before shortlisting

IB continuum, American or European Baccalaureate. This single decision eliminates most options before any admissions office is approached.

Apply to two or three schools simultaneously

Applications are generally submitted as early as the posting is confirmed. Parallel applications to multiple schools tend to be standard practice.

Contact admissions and state the diplomatic context clearly

Mentioning that the posting is confirmed or recently confirmed is typically relevant context. Whether a diplomatic late-entry pathway exists.

The all-in fee including VAT

Published tuition figures do not reflect the all-in cost. VAT at 20% applies from January 2025. First-year enrolment and capital fees may add further costs.

School placement typically precedes housing decisions

St John’s Wood for ASL, south or central London for ISL and ICS, outer west for ACS. Lease commitments made before school placement is confirmed tend to create avoidable constraints.

What diplomats need to know

There is no low-cost option in London. Every serious option is fully private and fully expensive. Unlike Paris, there is no Lycée International equivalent.
The VAT change is material. 20% VAT on top of already high fees has significantly increased the all-in cost. First-year costs are materially higher than ongoing annual tuition.
Mid-year admissions are possible but not guaranteed. Most schools accommodate late diplomatic arrivals but availability at specific year groups cannot be assumed.
ACS offers the most flexibility. For families uncertain about the next posting, ACS’s dual curriculum offer across three campuses is the most adaptable option in the London market.
EJM is not a fallback option. It is a specialist school for a specific community. Eligibility is employer-linked and worth confirming before shortlisting.ility.

Cost overview

American School in London (ASL)

Fees 2025–2026: approximately £34,200–40,900 per year. VAT applies. One-time capital fee on entry.

International School of London (ISL)

Fees 2025–2026: contact ISL directly. VAT applies.

ACS International Schools

Fees 2025–2026: approximately £22,000–34,000 per year depending on campus and year group. VAT applies.

International Community School (ICS)

Fees 2025–2026: contact ICS directly. VAT applies.

European School London (EJM)

Fees: determined by employer category. Contact EJM directly.

VAT at 20% applies to most London independent school fees from January 2025. First-year costs may include enrolment, registration and capital fees billed separately. The full year-one cost is the relevant figure for budgeting purposes.

International Schools in London for Diplomat Families

Further reading