Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
190 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
36 |
| Most common nationality |
English |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
Approximately 60% local to 40% international. |
Languages
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
We have a limited English Plus programme to support the transition, but the student must have a certain level of English, which is assessed on entry. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
We offer a Mother Tongue programme with over 16 languages. More languages can be added upon request and an extra fee. |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
16 |
| Average number of students per class |
13 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Yes, a lot of the student's work is done online using their own devices. We treat technology as an enhancement of learning and only use it when traditional methods are inefficient and not sufficient for engagement and collaboration. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, we transitioned to online learning within 24 hours. Our remote learning programme is extensive and includes an integrated wellbeing programme and extracurricular activities. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No, we are secular. |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme |
| Results in these examinations |
Our 2023 average IB DP score is 34 points. The global average score is 29.8. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
Most homework is individualised work that was not completed within the lesson, so it varies dramatically depending on the student. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
An increasing trend amongst our students is opting for a Gap Year whilst they figure out what they might study. However, over 95% attend higher education that year or in the year following. |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
We have a Learning Coach who acts as our Special Educational Needs Teacher. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Our education is personalised for each individual student, but we have no unique classes for these cases. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
We have a school counsellor available and a wellbeing leader trained in restorative justice. |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes, we have three-step admissions process that includes a questionnaire and an informal interview. We take into consideration three years of academic reports. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Assessments will be recommended for any special educational needs or language requirements so we can assess our capacity. |
| Waiting list |
Yes, for Grades 8 and 9 |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
We have a rolling admissions process so there is no deadline to apply. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, but they must stay for more than two semesters. |
School day
| School start time |
9:00 |
| School finish time |
16:00 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
No |
| School bus service available |
No, we make use of the plentiful public transport options available in central London. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes, included in the fees. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
We are a vegetarian school and provide for all dietary requirements. |
| Uniform required |
No |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
DEI Club, MUN, Debate Club, Eco Committee, Halcyonite (school magazine), Knitting, Dance, LAMDA, Medics Club, Running Club, |
| Sports activities included |
Students can choose to join our football, volleyball and basketball teams. Additionally, for our Explorations classes on Wednesday afternoons, we offer ice skating, horse riding, squash and tennis. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
We are part of the London Schools Sports Association and participate with our Football and Volleyball teams. |
Facilities
| Facilities at the school |
Science labs, design room, art room, sports and assembly hall. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Our day-to-day sports activities are carried out in our school hall. We make the most of our central location for our team sports activities. We frequently use Hyde Park, Seymour Leisure Centre and Little Venice Sports Centre. |
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Halcyon believes that school life should inspire, engage and interest students from the moment they begin school to the day they graduate - because today’s education produces tomorrow’s leaders. Halcyon is the only not-for-profit IB school in London, offering the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme to a small community of students aged 11-18. Halcyon is committed to innovation, collaboration and community. Students enjoy a challenging academic programme, an innovative approach to wellbeing and an integrated digital learning environment. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Pioneered by Halcyon Through a shared commitment to research-led innovation, leading-edge educational technology and unmatched professional development, our team creates unique, inspiring learning experiences for young people. Our values: Innovation. Halcyon emboldens and supports every learner to be an explorer, a risk-taker and a creative problem-solver. Engaged by Halcyon Our Wellbeing Programme integrates student voice into the fabric of our classrooms and our community. Embracing opportunities to co-create their own learning journey with purpose, our students enjoy a vibrant, empowering environment of inquiry. Our values: Collaboration. Collaboration is at the core of our community of life-long learners. Shaping our learning together, we discover unique perspectives that enrich our understanding of ourselves and others. Empowered by Halcyon Our student community graduates from Halcyon with a powerful aptitude for academic investigation, collaboration and leadership, ready to lead in a skills-based future and prepared to excel at elite colleges and universities. Our values: Community. Each member of Halcyon’s community develops a sense of agency and ownership over our school and its mission, nurturing equal opportunities for each individual to fulfil their unique potential. |