The German School

The German School of London currently has around 885 pupils from more than 30 nations. We are an international, open-minded community that embraces diversity and the respectful exchange of ideas. We strive to empower our pupils, encouraging them to be self-reliant and to assume responsibility on a local level within an international context. We consider ourselves a learning organization in which all players – pupils, parents and staff – work hand in hand. We are all committed to a trusting and constructive mindset.

The DSL is part of a long-standing tradition of excellence in the world-wide network of more than 140 German Schools Abroad. All are independent schools accredited and supported by the Federal Republic of Germany. We cater to pupils from Kindergarten through the bilingual Abitur and the IB diploma. DSL offers an appealing and challenging educational programme with specific emphasis on German language and culture.

The German School London offers an excellent and broad education leading from kindergarten to Abitur/IB. The Primary School is an integral part. The Primary School takes pupils in Years 1 to 4. We talk at length with both parents and children before admission. Knowledge of German is a requirement for admission to the Primary School at the DSL. Parents must actively support use of German.

For children who have reached the age of six by 30 September (i.e. one month after the start of the school year) school attendance at the German School is compulsory. However, parents may apply for “early enrolment” if their children have reached the age of six before 31 December of the new school year.All children who have applied for “early enrolment”, including those who already attend our Pre-School, will take a so called "Kann-Kinder-Test" (test for optional future pupils) early in the summer to ascertain whether they are ready to attend school. Only after this can parents discuss possible enrolment with the Head of the Primary School.

The Kindergarten is exempt from the UK Early Years Foundations Stage Curriculum. Instead, our curriculum is based on the guidelines outlined by the state of Baden-Württemberg and forms the basis of our education in the Kindergarten and Pre-School.

We are a bilingual Kindergarten, teaching both German and English, with German being a priority, to support our children to access the curriculum of the German Primary School. In addition to our educational and learning programme, we have a duty of care for the Safeguarding and Welfare of our children, as outlined by the Early Years Foundation Stage. The setting also aims to provide advice and information to parents and carers, thereby fulfilling an important role in complementing and supporting the child within the family.

The first five years at Secondary School at the DSL are Years 5 to 9 and 10 respectively. Year 5 is an orientation stage; at the end of which pupils are advised which school type is recommended for them. From Year 6 pupils are streamed into the appropriate school type: Hauptschule, Realschuleor Gymnasium. Hauptschule pupils finish school at the end of Year 9; Realschule pupils finish school at the end of Year 10. The DSL complies with the guidelines of the German Federal States Committee for School Education Abroad (BLASchA) and follows the educational standards of Baden-Württemberg.

Since the academic year 2008-2009, the upper years of the Secondary School have been Years 10, 11 and 12. Years 11 and 12 form the qualification stage, which is concluded with the leaving examination. This qualification enables students to go on to German and British universities.

Pupils from Year 8 onwards can use the LRC’s five computers, quiet zone with 12 workspaces, relevant reference literature and other modern learning materials; as well as find information about universities. The LRC helps to organise readings and book fairs, as well as presentations on topics such as “Academic Honesty” and competitions such as “DSL young jury for the German youth literature prize”.

The German School has a network of external psychologists and other specialists. Appointments are made with them directly. Some of the tests can take place in the German School. The entire treatment will be invoiced in the end. As such tests can take several hours the appointments are carefully scheduled.

Our Safeguarding team, as required by the English school system, is there to make sure that our pupils grow up and learn in a stable, safe environment and get the support they need should this become necessary.

In order to reflect on our processes and procedures at the school, we have established various forms of feedback at the DSL. This includes, for example, feedback between pupils and teachers, among colleagues, or between pupils, parents and colleagues.

Teachers give feedback to pupils in the form of so-called quarter-notes, which inform the pupils about their performance in the middle of the semester and provide them with information on how they can improve their performance.

In our regular parent council meetings, we record the results of the "Round Tables" (topic related exchanges with pupils, parents and teachers) in German and English and make these accessible to all parents. At the beginning of each session, we present further developments on these of the previous rounds. At the end of the year, there will be a plenary exchange on the very year. This also provides us with a first outlook for the coming year.