Ages 
For many parents, the Geneva English School evokes strong loyalty as they see their children thrive in a beautiful setting with a dedicated teaching staff striving for excellence in the educational, social, cultural and physical development of their children. GES is a community marked by its happy children who are self-disciplined with high moral values - values they take with them for the rest of their lives.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview
- Student numbers
- 310
- Curricula
- British
- SEN provision
- SEN considered case by case
- Pre school provision (up to 4)
- Yes
- Religion
- Non-denominational
- Fees
- CHF 19,000 to CHF 35,800 5% sibling discount
- Ownership
- Privately owned as Geneva English School SA
Head of school
Director general
Christina Matillon
Since May 2024, Christina Matillon. Previously director of marketing and head of secondary admissions. Formerly school principal at British School of Geneva.
Entrance
There are no academic hurdles by way of exams or prerequisites, but there is an English fluency requirement. A waiting list operates, with preference given to siblings or alumni families. Students who attend GES are usually keen and motivated.
Exit
In 2025, popular UK university destinations included University of Cambridge, King's College London, Imperial College London, University College London, University of St Andrews, Durham University, and others. In Switzerland: ETH Zürich, University
Latest results
In 2025, 70 per cent of IGCSE grades were 9-7. At A level, 26 per cent A*/A.
2024 and 2023 exam results were not made available by the school.
Teaching & learning
The primary objective of the school is to offer the best modern British education for children from age 3-18 living in or around Geneva, and to prepare them for higher education. The school can also prepare students for UK boarding schools (11+ and
- Curricula & qualifications
- British - National Curriculum for England
- British - A levels
- British - GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Learning support & SEN
There is a fully qualified director of SEN and a number of class assistants have had specialist SEN training to help those students with minor to moderate learning disabilities. Students are supported within the classroom whenever possible with
Language support
As the head makes clear, this is a school for English mother tongue or students who are fluent in English, however there is EAL support in both primary and secondary with dedicated coordinators and lessons. The newly introduced - and already popular
Arts & extracurricular
This is a family school, with many opportunities for the community to gather for the different school shows, the Christmas and summer fairs, carol concert, ski competition or the spectacular sports day. Parents are very active participating in the
Sport
Sport is taken seriously at GES. Football, rugby, basketball and netball teams all fielded in local school competitions and GES organises other interschool events including cross country and athletics. The extensive primary school grounds provide
Ethos & heritage
The setting of the primary school is idyllic - a 19th century country house-style building situated on a large property a short drive from central Geneva. Walking around the immaculate, well-groomed campus, one could imagine a Jane Austen film being
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
There are four houses: Rhone, Leman, Jura and Dole. This provides both a family feeling and a spirit of competition firmly built on teamwork as the school’s older children work with younger schoolmates from their house at events throughout the year.
Classroom & community
Established as a British school for the expat community in this very international city, the school is evolving with a more international demographic. Currently, the student body is about 40 per cent British, 25 per cent with a British or
- School year
- August – June, with three terms
- School hours
- 8:30am – 3:30pm depending on year groups
- Student nationalities - total
- 60
- Uniform requirements
- No
Money matters
GES is privately owned as Geneva English School SA. There is a board of governors, half of which is made up of annually elected parents including the chairman, several external governors and the headmaster. There is no endowment as such and nor is
- Annual fee range
- CHF 19,000 to CHF 35,800 5% sibling discount
- Fee information
- Registration fee: CHF 1,500;
Capital development fee: CHF 4,000 (made up of two CHF 2,000 payments, one on joining and one a year later);
Tuition deposit: CHF 3,000. There are optional additional costs for lunch, transportation, residential trips and some extra-curricular activities.
The last word
For many parents, the Geneva English School evokes strong loyalty as they see their children thrive in a beautiful setting with a dedicated teaching staff striving for excellence in the educational, social, cultural and physical development of their
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) (DfE BSO approved)
BSO (British Schools Overseas inspection programme)- Memberships
- AGBIS, AGEP, COBIS, ECS, FSEP, IAPS, SGIS.
