London to Geneva with 7 y/o and 13 y/o children

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi all,

We're a London family who have recently found out that we are being relocated to Geneva. We need to choose schools for our 13 year old and 7 year old daughters.

Any tips/advice/recommendations/words of warning for:

Ecolint (Nations presumably?)

Lancy

Leman

Geneva English School

Others??

We've been extremely lucky with schools in London and so it's a little intimidating to launch into the unknown.

We're both British, husband fluent in French, the rest of us very much not so (though we know a small amount).

Also any tips on the best areas to live (will obviously depend ultimately on schools too) for a family from London greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

2
All of the schools stated above are wonderful.

Geneva English School is the best one.. pure happiness comes to mind.

The others are a better choice if you wish to keep the girls in the same school.

(unless GES offers classes past class 6 now?)

Add La Chataignerie to your list and also consider the canton de Vaud (Nyon, Terre Sainte, Coppet, Founex).

You'll love it here, it's a beautiful place to raise a family, safe and clean.

It's also very international.

3
Geneva is near to the top of the list of the Swiss cities with the highest criminal rate.

4
You’re a proper little ray of sunshine aren’t you?

Yes, there are criminals here and Geneva has a higher rate than some other cities in Switzerland , largely due to the proximity to France, but it is hardly a hotbed of crime.

Pickpockets are a problem so watch out for them, especially on public transport but that’s the same almost anywhere.

Switzerland is still very safe when compared to most other countries.

5
Highest crime rate being mostly made up of petty theft of course.. I would not put it in the same league as London when comparing crime for crime.

6

Sky, this is all so helpful - thank you! I did wonder if perhaps Nations was the right campus or if it should be Le Chat for us. iGCSE seems to be the difference, is that right?

GES sounds just like the girls’ schools here so that’s absolutely on the list, and yes they have a senior school now!! Small of course as it’s new, which is perhaps a worry/perhaps a good thing.

As for the crime comment ...... we’re moving from Central London. Stabbings and violent moped muggings happen close to home almost weekly. Not to mention having terrorist attacks on our beloved home City occasionally impact on our life and friends. So yes, a safer environment and lifestyle is always going to be a bonus (pains me to say as I’m a staunch Londoner).

7

You moved from Zurich ?

8
If GES now offers senior classes, it would be my first choice.

https://www.geschool.ch/about/our-values-and-vision

I have the fondest memories of GES, it was utter happiness.

The school could have been right out of an Enid Blyton story.

We were safe, happy, well-taught, and well-prepared.

There was a no-nonsense policy regarding kindness and respect of others and their diversity. The teachers were very good, attentive and caring.

Some of the cultural differences still make me smile.. back then there was a picture of the Queen in the entry, Christmas plays and caroling, and a bonfire for ol' Guy Fawkes every year.

Though my memories are of many many years ago, younger members of my family have also attended, and I can confirm that it remained the same.

GES offers an excellent British education.