The guide
Guide to private schools in Europe
School systems, types of private school, admissions, curricula and the real cost of private education in Europe.
Admissions calendar: when to apply to private schools in EuropeA practical admissions calendar for private schools in Europe: when to register, what entry points exist, and how to plan around waiting lists.Bilingual schools and extra languages: what a child really gainsWhat bilingual education and extra languages deliver: realistic benefits, evidence limits, school models, and questions to ask before committing.Boarding school: at what age, and is it right for your child?A balanced look at boarding: typical ages, full, weekly and flexi options, the evidence on wellbeing, and how to judge whether your child is ready.Boarding schools in Switzerland: what families should knowHow Swiss private and boarding schools are regulated, how the Swiss system differs from others, and what to check before choosing a school.British international schools in continental Europe: COBIS, BSO and what accreditation meansWhat COBIS membership and the Department for Education's BSO scheme mean for British schools in Europe, and how to check a school's status yourself.European Schools, the European Baccalaureate and IB World SchoolsHow the European Schools, the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate differ, who each suits and how to check a school's status.How private schools work in England: prep, senior, sixth form and boardingA clear guide to England's private school system: prep and senior stages, sixth form, boarding, regulation and the VAT now charged on fees.How to choose a private school: a checklist for parentsA calm, practical checklist for choosing a private school: what to define first, how to weigh curriculum, accreditation, culture and logistics.IB Diploma, A-Levels or a national diploma: how to chooseIB Diploma, A-Levels or a national diploma such as the Abitur or baccalauréat: how they differ, and how to choose for your child.International schools in the Netherlands and BelgiumHow the Dutch and Belgian systems treat private and international schools, what recognition means, and how to choose between them.Montessori and Waldorf (Steiner) schools in EuropeHow Montessori and Waldorf (Steiner) schools differ, what the evidence says, how to tell a genuine school from a label, and who each suits.Moving to Europe with children: choosing a school before you arriveHow to plan schooling before an international move to Europe: curriculum continuity, language, timing, and what to settle before you sign a lease.Private schools in France: sous contrat, hors contrat and internationalHow French private schools work: contract and non-contract status, state diplomas, funding, inspection and what international families should ask.Private schools in Germany: Ersatzschulen, international schools and SchulgeldHow Germany's private schools are approved and funded, what Schulgeld means, and how the 30% tax deduction up to €5,000 a year works.Private schools in Italy: scuole paritarie and international schoolsHow Italy's private schools work: the paritaria status, what non-paritarie cannot do, how funding works and what to check for international schools.Private schools in Spain: privado, concertado and internationalSpain's three kinds of school explained: public, concertado and privado, plus how international schools fit in and what families should check.Scholarships and bursaries at private schools in EuropeHow scholarships and bursaries differ, who qualifies, how to apply, and what changed for fees in England, explained for international families.Tax relief on private school fees in Europe, country by countryGermany deducts 30% of school fees up to €5,000 a year; France gives a small flat reduction; the UK now adds VAT. What applies where, and what to verify.The real annual cost of private school: tuition, fees and hidden extrasWhat a private school bill really contains: tuition, VAT, boarding, one-off charges and extras, and how to compare schools like for like.The school visit: 25 questions to askWhat to look for on a school visit and 25 questions to ask about teaching, care, results, languages, fees and the practicalities of daily life.