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Geneva English School - Primary Campus

Switzerland, Geneva

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CHF 19,000 - 34,250
Ages 3 - 11 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1961
Bus Service Yes
Part of
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages French, German, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Sport, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Geneva English School (GES) Primary Campus offers an engaging educational experience rooted in the British National Curriculum and EYFS framework. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva in Genthod, the campus overlooks Mont Blanc and provides a calm, modern setting for young learners. The school incorporates unique instructional strategies, most notably "The Literary Curriculum," which connects core subjects like Humanities and Science through a thematic, book-based approach.Students participate in specialized programs such as a STEAM Carousel, weekly Drama, Art, and Music lessons, and an extensive outdoor education initiative. A notable feature is the Science Ambassadors program, which empowers primary students to lead projects, complete scientific enquiries, and represent their peers. Bilingual Pre-school options and immersive French instruction ensure students integrate into the local francophone community while developing strong English literacy, creativity, and collaboration skills tailored for their progression to secondary education.

This campus is part of Geneva English School

Rte de Malagny 36, 1294 Genthod, Switzerland

The Essentials

Geneva English School - Primary Campus has instruction in English.

Location

GES Primary occupies a parkland site in the commune of Genthod, less than 10km from central Geneva. The Primary campus sits in Route de Malagny 36, 1294 Genthod; it features an elegant historic main building and newer facilities, with views over Lake Léman towards Mont Blanc. GES Secondary occupies part of the Modulis Building near the lake in Versoix, just a few minutes from the Primary campus, at Route de Suisse 160, 1290 Versoix. The two campuses are set in close proximity to Geneva and offer access to local amenities and community links.

Stages

GES has two main stages: Primary (Early Years to Year 6) and Secondary (Year 7 to Year 13). Early Years entry includes Pre-School 3 and Reception; Primary covers Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2; Secondary covers Key Stage 3 to Year 13, with GCSE/IGCSE offered at Year 10 and A Levels at Year 13.

Type

The school is an international school delivering a British curriculum.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Pupils come from over 60 nationalities.

Additional learning support

The school has a Director of Inclusion (SENCO) and Learning Assistants to support pupils with Additional Learning Needs and provide Learning & After-School Support.

Country affiliation

The school is a British-curriculum international school delivering GCSE and A Levels.

Fees

Annual tuition at Geneva English School - Primary Campus ranges from CHF 19,000 to CHF 34,250 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees
- Application fee: CHF 250 (non-refundable), payable on submission of an application.
- Registration fee: CHF 1,500 (non-refundable), payable to complete enrolment; valid for re-entry within one year of leaving. GES does not charge an annual administration fee.
- Capital development fee: CHF 2,000 at registration and a further CHF 2,000 after one year (non-refundable); valid for re-entry within two years of leaving.
- Tuition fee deposit: CHF 3,000, held by the school and refunded following the student's final term provided all fees are up to date and school equipment is returned in good working order; parents may opt to donate the deposit to the GES Development Fund when leaving.

Tuition fees (academic year 2025–2026) — annual and per-term amounts (all amounts in CHF)
- Pre-school (full-time): Annual CHF 19,000. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 4,750; Payment 2 CHF 3,800; Payment 3 CHF 6,080; Payment 4 CHF 4,370. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 18,620. Monthly payment plan amount (with 2% admin fee) CHF 1,938 per month.
- Reception: Annual CHF 23,000. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 5,750; Payment 2 CHF 4,600; Payment 3 CHF 7,360; Payment 4 CHF 5,290. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 22,540. Monthly payment plan CHF 2,346 per month.
- Year 1 – Year 6: Annual CHF 28,500. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 7,125; Payment 2 CHF 5,700; Payment 3 CHF 9,120; Payment 4 CHF 6,555. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 27,930. Monthly payment plan CHF 2,907 per month.
- Year 7 – Year 9: Annual CHF 33,000. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 8,250; Payment 2 CHF 6,600; Payment 3 CHF 10,560; Payment 4 CHF 7,590. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 32,340. Monthly payment plan CHF 3,366 per month.
- Year 10 – Year 11: Annual CHF 34,250. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 8,563; Payment 2 CHF 6,850; Payment 3 CHF 10,960; Payment 4 CHF 7,877. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 33,565. Monthly payment plan CHF 3,494 per month.
- Year 12 – Year 13: Annual CHF 35,800. Term payments: Payment 1 CHF 8,950; Payment 2 CHF 7,160; Payment 3 CHF 11,456; Payment 4 CHF 8,234. Annual-payment amount with 2% discount CHF 35,084. Monthly payment plan CHF 3,652 per month.

Pre-school programme options and fees (2025–2026)
- Full time (5 mornings and 4 afternoons — same as other Primary classes): Annual CHF 19,000; term split as above.
- 5 mornings and 2 afternoons (Tues & Thu): Annual CHF 14,440; Payment 1 CHF 3,610; Payment 2 CHF 2,888; Payment 3 CHF 4,621; Payment 4 CHF 3,321.
- Mornings only (5 mornings): Annual CHF 11,400; Payment 1 CHF 2,850; Payment 2 CHF 2,280; Payment 3 CHF 3,648; Payment 4 CHF 2,622.

Late joiners (term charges for students joining mid-year, amounts in CHF)
- Second term (due by 19 December 2025) and third term (due by 27 March 2026) charges per year group:
- Pre-school (full-time): Term 2 CHF 6,333; Term 3 CHF 5,278.
- Reception: Term 2 CHF 7,667; Term 3 CHF 6,389.
- Yr 1–6: Term 2 CHF 9,500; Term 3 CHF 7,917.
- Yr 7–9: Term 2 CHF 11,000; Term 3 CHF 9,167.
- Yr 10–11: Term 2 CHF 11,417; Term 3 CHF 9,514.
- Yr 12–13: Term 2 CHF 11,933; Term 3 CHF 9,944.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard term due dates for the 2025–2026 academic year: Payment 1 due by 27 June 2025; Payment 2 due by 26 August 2025; Payment 3 due by 19 December 2025; Payment 4 due by 27 March 2026. These dates form the published billing schedule for the year.
- Annual payment plan: a 2% discount applies when the annual tuition is received in full by 27 June 2025.
- Monthly payment plan: available by request and subject to agreement with the Director General; structured over 10 months from August to May, administered by standing order with each monthly payment due no later than the 26th of the month in which payments are due. The monthly plan carries a 2% administration fee.

Notice periods and withdrawal without financial penalty
- Fixed withdrawal dates (from academic year 2025/2026 onwards) allowing students to leave without financial penalty: 26 August 2025 to leave at the end of Term 1; 12 December 2025 to leave at the end of Term 2; 2 April 2026 to leave at the end of Term 3 (which avoids paying fees for Autumn term 2026–2027).

Other costs and optional services
- Sport and PE kit: approximately CHF 85 depending on items chosen.
- Annual residential camp for Primary (Year 2–6): CHF 250 to CHF 650 (depending on location and duration). Payment may be spread over time on request.
- Residential trips for Secondary students: CHF 500 to CHF 850 per trip (depending on location and duration). Payment may be spread over time on request.
- External exam entries (GCSE, AS and A Level): fees charged separately and must be paid in full before examinations start (usually by 1 May).
- Hot lunches: CHF 600 to CHF 2,990 per year, depending on number of days per week. Prices are subject to inflation.
- School bus (children aged 5 or over): CHF 3,600 to CHF 4,430 per year depending on home address, or CHF 20 for a one-off ride.
- After-school care (Primary): CHF 25 per hour (termly packages available).
- Ski camp or other optional residential trips: CHF 600–900. Off-site sports fixtures and tournaments: CHF 20 (some activities such as skiing may cost more). Extra-curricular activities led by external teachers and individual music lessons are charged separately; music lesson costs are available on request.

Sibling discounts
- Discounts (available on request and subject to Director General approval for families paying privately): 5% discount on tuition fees for the first two children, 10% discount for the third (youngest) child, and 15% discount for the fourth and subsequent (youngest) child(ren).

Refunds and non-refundable items
- Non-refundable items: Application fee (CHF 250), Registration fee (CHF 1,500), and both installments of the Capital development fee (CHF 2,000 + CHF 2,000) are non-refundable.
- Refundable item: Tuition deposit (CHF 3,000) is refundable after the student's final term provided all outstanding fees are paid and school equipment is returned in good condition. Parents may elect to donate this deposit to the school's Development Fund instead of receiving a refund.

Fee payment options and practical notes on payment methods
- Monthly payment by standing order (bank transfer) is explicitly supported for the monthly plan; standing order is the mechanism the school uses to collect monthly payments.
- If online payment is not possible, bank transfer is an accepted alternative (parents are encouraged to pay via bank transfer in such cases).

Summary of essential figures (CHF):
- Application fee: CHF 250 (non-refundable). Registration fee: CHF 1,500 (non-refundable). Capital development fee: CHF 2,000 + CHF 2,000 (non-refundable). Tuition deposit: CHF 3,000 (refundable on leaving subject to conditions). Annual tuition by year group: Pre-school CHF 19,000; Reception CHF 23,000; Yr 1–6 CHF 28,500; Yr 7–9 CHF 33,000; Yr 10–11 CHF 34,250; Yr 12–13 CHF 35,800. Term dates and term-payment due dates follow the published schedule above.
Academics

Geneva English School - Primary Campus teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum

GES broadly follows the English National Curriculum; there is a strong emphasis on languages due to its French-speaking Swiss location, with immersive French in class and French integrated into daily life from Pre-School onwards. The curriculum covers The Arts, Computing, English, French, German & Spanish, History & Geography, Mathematics, PSHCE, Science, Sport & PE, and Academic Support.

Exam Results

2025 A Level results: 25 students; 99% pass rate; 51% A/A; A Level results place GES in the top 5% of worldwide schools. 2025 GCSE results: GCSE Grades 9-7 2025: 66% (UK average 22%). 2025 Primary results: 70% of Year 6 exceeded benchmark in Science, 60% in English, 44% in Maths. University destinations (2023-2025) include Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, ETH Zürich, Bocconi University, University of Geneva, among others.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates have gone on to study at leading universities worldwide, including University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, ETH Zürich, Bocconi University, University of Geneva, and more.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

GES delivers a PSHCE programme with themes including Lifelong Learning, Getting On and Good Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World, Health and Relationships, and Responsible and Inquisitive Citizens. The programme is revisited and developed each year and is supplemented by external speakers, assemblies and cross-year and whole-school events. The wellbeing-focused curriculum incorporates current research on wellbeing, including learning about the brain, thoughtfulness, acts of kindness, exercise, meditation, optimism and gratitude. Pastoral care and wellbeing provide individual attention and personalised support; social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is embedded throughout school life, with student voice and house systems reinforcing community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) team ensures that all students have the right to learn and realise their intellectual, social and physical potential, with English as the primary language of instruction and fluency required to access the curriculum. The school supports learners with SEND or neurodivergence and works with families to provide flexible, tailored support across the curriculum. Some dyslexia/ADHD cases take part in a morning half-day programme with Oak Hill School in Nyon while continuing at GES, and the school's SEND offer is reviewed regularly to reflect an inclusive ethos.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English is the primary language of instruction, with a strong emphasis on English fluency to access the curriculum. The curriculum integrates immersive French from Pre-School onwards and daily usage of French to support bilingual development and integration into the francophone community. The A Level pathway includes the opportunity to achieve a high level of French, enabling study at universities in Geneva, France, the UK and beyond. After-school provision includes English- and French-speaking staff to support language needs.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing is a central thread of the curriculum and pastoral care, with PSHCE themes focused on Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World and Health and Relationships. The programme draws on current research about wellbeing and includes activities such as exercise, mindfulness and gratitude, supported by external speakers and whole-school events. Individual attention and personalised support are emphasised within the pastoral framework to help pupils feel happy, safe and confident.

Safeguarding

GES is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, with all staff undergoing rigorous vetting and child protection checks, including checks with past employers and appropriate prohibition and criminal records checks. The school has a designated safeguarding lead who is the school psychologist, as well as a school doctor and a nurse. Safeguarding policies reference the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the full policies are available in the policies section.

Admissions

Admissions

The school's admissions process includes the following stages: initial enquiry and confirmation of each student's details; reports from the previous school or nursery; a visit to GES and/or a discussion via telephone or online video call; submission of a completed Application form; consideration of the application along with supporting documentation; the offer of a place or guidance if a place cannot be offered. Applying to join Pre-School: children are invited to attend two tasters before joining; pupils applying to other year groups at Primary and Secondary may also join a taster session. Applying for A Levels: students are asked for their preferred subjects and their most recent school report and, where relevant, projected GCSE grades; they will then interview with a member of staff to assess suitability for the courses requested, which may include a written exam. Applications are accepted throughout the year and processed in the order they are received; if a year group is full a waiting list is maintained.

Waitlist

If a year group is full a waiting list is maintained.

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