German School London

{{short description|School in Petersham, London}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox school | name = German School London | native_name = {{Lang|de|Deutsche Schule London}} | logo = File:Deutsche Schule London Logo 2024.png | image = File:Douglas House, The German School, Petersham.jpg | motto = | established = {{Start date and age|1971}} | closed = | type = International school | trust = | president = | head_teacher = Oliver Schmitz<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dslondon.org.uk/en/about/management/school-leadership-team | title=Senior Leadership Team - the German School London | access-date=2023-04-27}}</ref> | acting_headteacher = | chair_label = | chair = Jan Peter Weiland<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dslondon.org.uk/en/about/management/school-management/board | title=School Management - the German School London | access-date=2023-04-27}}</ref> | founder = | language = German | address = Douglas House<br />Petersham Road | town = Petersham | county = Greater London | postal_code = TW10 7AH | country = England | coordinates = {{Coord|51.445134|-0.305081|display=inline,title}} | local_authority = | urn = 102945 | ofsted = Yes | enrolment = approx. 890<ref name="Nitschke">{{cite web |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Welcome-eng |title=Welcome to the German School London |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |author=Nitschke, Christian |year=2016 |access-date=13 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817140904/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Welcome-eng |archive-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> | capacity = | gender = Mixed | lower_age = 3 | upper_age = 19 | houses = | publication = | accreditations = Deutsche Auslandsschule (''Abitur'' programme) <br /> IBO (IB Diploma Programme) | pushpin_map = | website = {{URL|www.dslondon.org.uk}} | module = }}

'''The German School London''' ({{langx|de| '''Deutsche Schule London'''}}; often referred to in both languages by its German abbreviation '''DSL''') is an independent school based in the grounds of Douglas House in Petersham<ref name="School location">{{cite web |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Lage-der-Schule |title=School location |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929063508/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Lage-der-Schule |archive-date=29 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Founded in 1971, today it serves a student body of over 800, from kindergarten to the end of high school.

The German School London is one of approximately 140 schools that the Federal Republic of Germany established internationally to promote the German culture and language in other countries,<ref name="Abroad">{{cite web |url=http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/06/2Education/Abroad/German__Schools.html |title=German Schools Abroad |publisher=Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London |access-date=12 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927183142/http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/06/2Education/Abroad/German__Schools.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and is accredited by the German government's Central Agency for German Schools Abroad, as a "Deutsche Auslandsschule" ("German School Abroad").<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZfA - Deutsche Auslandsschulen (DAS) |url=https://www.auslandsschulwesen.de/Webs/ZfA/DE/Schulnetz/DAS/das_node.html |access-date=2021-10-30 |website=www.auslandsschulwesen.de}}</ref>

The German School London offers a bilingual system where, in addition to completing the German Abitur, students can also choose to graduate with an International Baccalaureate Diploma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Years 11-12: IB Diploma (Dual Qualification) - Deutsche Schule London|url=https://www.dslondon.org.uk/learning/secondary-school/years-11-12-dual-qualification-abitur-ib-diploma|access-date=2020-12-13|website=www.dslondon.org.uk|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History == The Federal Republic of Germany bought Douglas House and grounds in 1969, and built a school around it,<ref name="Douglas History">{{cite web |url=http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Places/douglas_house_petersham.htm |title=Douglas House, Petersham |publisher=The Douglas Archives |date=16 July 2014 |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526132356/http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Places/douglas_house_petersham.htm#.VWRCXEbLowc |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> with the house itself becoming the reception and administrative offices. The school opened in September 1971, with 84 students.<ref name="DfE">{{cite web |url=http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/establishment/summary.xhtml?urn=102945&printable=1 |title=URN 102945: The German School |publisher=Department for Education |access-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216170924/http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/establishment/summary.xhtml?urn=102945&printable=1 |archive-date=16 February 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The German School - GOV.UK |url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/102945 |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-10-14 |title=German School London celebrates its 50th birthday |url=https://richmondtwickenhamfamilyhub.com/german-school-london-celebrates-its-50th-birthday/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Richmond and Twickenham Family Hub |language=en-US}}</ref> The school was founded to primarily serve children of diplomatic staff from the embassies of German-speaking countries (West Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), while some expatriate children were enrolled.<ref name="MoorePT90">Moore, Google Books [https://books.google.com/books?id=f5Sa31fBsocC&pg=PT90 PT90] (actual page number unstated).</ref>

== Campus == thumb|Modern buildings at the German School The school consists of four main buildings – a building for the upper and middle school, a newly established building for the elementary school, a building for pre-school and kindergarten, and a sports building including a gym, a swimming pool, and changing rooms.

Additional school buildings, designed by the German firm Kersten Mertinoff & Struhk, were erected in the grounds between 1972 and 1983.<ref name="Cherry and Pevsner">{{cite book |author=Cherry, Bridget and Pevsner, Nikolaus |title=The Buildings of England – London 2: South |publisher=Penguin Books |year=1983 |isbn=0-14-071047-7 |location=London |page=516}}</ref> The executive architects were W H Marmorek and Clifford Culpin & Partners.<ref name="Cherry and Pevsner" /> Douglas House was placed on the Grade II* listed buildings list in 1983.<ref name="Listed">{{National Heritage List for England|num=1285296|desc=Douglas House|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Further contemporary buildings have been constructed on the campus, including a building for computer studies in 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-12-12 |title=German School, London |url=https://architizer.com/projects/german-school-london/ |access-date=2021-10-30 |website=Architizer |language=en-us}}</ref> and a new sports hall in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deutsche Schule – Sports Building {{!}} Rivington Street Studio |url=https://www.rivingtonstreetstudio.co.uk/projects/public-leisure/deutsche-schule-sports-building-2/ |access-date=2021-10-30}}</ref>

== Curriculum == The school largely follows the curriculum of German state (''Bundesland'') Baden-Württemberg. English is taught from the first year. The aim is for students to be fully bilingual when they graduate from the school, so as to be equally equipped to attend either German-speaking or English-speaking universities.<ref name="DSLinfo-2015">{{cite web |url=http://fluencycontent-schoolwebsite.netdna-ssl.com/FileCluster/TheGermanSchool/Mainfolder/german_website/Schulleben/Publikationen/DSLinfo-2015.pdf |title=DSL-Info Information Booklet 2015–16 |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |access-date=2 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423003239/http://fluencycontent-schoolwebsite.netdna-ssl.com/FileCluster/TheGermanSchool/Mainfolder/german_website/Schulleben/Publikationen/DSLinfo-2015.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Kindergarten and pre-school === The bilingual<ref group="nb">German and English are both used.{{cite web |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Kindergarten-Vorschule |title=Kindergarten & Preschool |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627232820/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Kindergarten-Vorschule |archive-date=27 June 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> kindergarten and pre-school focus on preparing the children for elementary school, and helping them develop self-confidence and independence. Since July 2013 the school has been exempt from the British EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) learning and development requirements and is now guided by Baden-Württemberg's curriculum.<ref name="KiGaVorschule-Curriculum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/KiGaVorschule-Curriculum |title=Curriculum for Kindergarten and Preschool at German School London |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526132603/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/KiGaVorschule-Curriculum |archive-date=26 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Elementary school === The curriculum in the elementary school consists of German, English, mathematics, social studies & sciences, music, arts, religion and physical education.

=== Middle school and upper school === In middle and upper school students study 10 to 13 subjects – German, English, French or Latin, mathematics, physics, chemistry, music, arts, religion or ethics, history, geography and politics. Students can choose to study Spanish as an additional language. The school offers a broad and differentiated education with bilingual units for different talents, and prepares students for university.

=== Qualifications === Students in Years 11 and 12 can, if they wish, study for both the International Baccalaureate and the German Abitur. The school has offered the International Baccalaureate since 2010;<ref name="IB">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibo.org/en/school/004439 |title=Deutsche Schule London |publisher=International Baccalaureate |access-date=22 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127210400/http://www.ibo.org/en/school/004439 |archive-date=27 January 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> it is taught in English, although students who take German as an A1 language can graduate with a "bilingual IB Diploma".<ref name="IB" />

== School life == The school provides networking opportunities for adults from the German community. Much of the community's social activities and sporting clubs for Germans are organised around the school, which "provides a forum for the expression of Germanness".<ref name="MoorePT92">Moore, Google Books [https://books.google.com/books?id=f5Sa31fBsocC&pg=PT92 PT92] (actual page number unstated).</ref>

=== Sport and the arts === Teams from the school have taken part in international sporting events in soccer, basketball,<ref name="Basketball">{{cite news |url=http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/4246561.German_School_mourns_loss_of__larger_than_life__teacher/ |author=Menhinnitt, Dan |title=German School mourns loss of 'larger than life' teacher |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times |date=30 March 2009 |access-date=13 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821014933/http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/4246561.German_School_mourns_loss_of__larger_than_life__teacher/ |archive-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> volleyball,<ref name="Volleyball">{{cite news |url=http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/sport/1817973.German_School_pipped_in_semis/ |title=German School pipped in semis |work=Richmond and Twickenham Times |date=8 November 2007 |access-date=13 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807050008/http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/sport/1817973.German_School_pipped_in_semis/ |archive-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> badminton and tennis, often playing against teams from other international schools in the UK, and sometimes in tournaments against international schools across Europe. Students also take part in school concerts and in the Jugend musiziert competition, an international music competition in Germany between children and young people held at regional, federal and national level.

=== School exchanges === The school operates a programme of school exchange visits, where the students visit a different school for a day and participate in the classes, and family exchange visits where they meet their exchange partner on a Friday afternoon and spend time with them and their family until the Saturday. There are also programmes for students in Years 10, 11 and 12, where they visit the Russell School to teach the German language and culture to Year 5 students.<ref name="Exchanges">{{cite web |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Austausch |title=Exchanges |publisher=Deutsche Schule London |access-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320041004/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/Austausch |archive-date=20 March 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== School charity === The school has its own charity group, ''DSLaktiv – Schüler für Schüler'', founded in 2010. Every year students in the group choose a different charity to support and organise activities and projects to fundraise for it.<ref name="DSLActiv">{{cite web |url=http://dslaktivcharity.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-us-dslaktiv-schuler-fur-schuler.html |title=About Us |publisher=DSLaktiv – Schüler für Schüler |access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>

=== School events === As well as teaching the German curriculum the school promotes German culture. Every school year there are readings by prominent German authors and poets, and performances by musicians. The school has ''a Frühlingsfest'' and ''Oktoberfest'' celebrations, as well as ''Weihnachtsmarkt'', a Christmas fair. There are also regular ''Frühschoppen'' events.<ref name="MoorePT92" />

== Faculty and staff == The German School's teaching staff consists of local teachers with German and English backgrounds, and teachers from Germany who are seconded by the German Government.

== Operations == The School Association's Board, an unpaid group that operates the school, determines the school's financial, economic and legal business, as well as budgeting and personnel matters.<ref name="School Association">{{Cite web |title=School Association |url=http://www.dslondon.org.uk/School-Association |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610054634/http://www.dslondon.org.uk/School-Association |archive-date=10 June 2017 |access-date=24 June 2017 |publisher=Deutsche Schule London}}</ref>

=== Other international schools in London ===

* International Community School * Marymount International School * Southbank International School * Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle * The American School in London * Japanese School in London * The Norwegian School in London * The Swedish School in London

=== Other German "Auslandsschulen" in European capitals === * Internationale Deutsche Schule Paris, France * St Kilian's German School, Dublin, Ireland * Deutsche Schule Istanbul, Turkey * German School of Athens, Greece * Deutsche Schule Lissabon, Portugal * Deutsche Schule Madrid, Spain (For more related schools, see categories below)

== Notes == {{reflist|group="nb"}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== Sources == * Moore, Fiona (2012). "The German School in London, UK: Fostering the Next Generation of National Cosmopolitans?" (Chapter 4) in Coles, Anne and Fechter, Anne-Meike (editors). ''Gender and Family Among Transnational Professionals'' (Routledge International Studies of Women and Place). Routledge. {{ISBN|1134156200}}, 9781134156207.

== External links == * [http://www.dslondon.org.uk/ Official website]

Category:1971 establishments in England Category:Bilingual schools Category:Germany–United Kingdom bilateral relations organisations Category:Educational institutions established in 1971 Category:German international schools in Europe Category:Private co-educational schools in London Category:Private schools in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Category:International Baccalaureate schools in England Category:International schools in London Category:Petersham, London Category:German-British culture