Geneva with primary age children?

[Ohwooisme]

We're just starting to look at a possible move to Geneva with our 2 primary age kids - one in KS1 , one in KS2. It's still in the discussion stage, but I'm already thinking about schools and houses and am looking for some advice really - we've always lived in the UK and would plan to be back here in time for our eldest to start secondary. What schools should we consider? Does that impact where we might live?

Hi Oh
The Geneva area is a great place to live with children. We have lived here for a few years and love it! I would highly recommend the Geneva English School (GES). It is a lovely friendly primary school with small class sizes. Their website has lots of info.

We choose the school and then decided where to live. You don't have to live in Geneva itself. Lots of people live between Geneva and Nyon (in the neighbouring canton of Vaud).

It really depends whether you want your children to experience local life and get a good grounding in French in which case some local schools have better integration programmes than others and there is an English literacy programme for primary aged children run on a volunteer basis across the border in Ferney Voltaire where English speaking children keep their English up to speed. If want to keep them on the English curriculum then Geneva English School is probably the one for you. The international schools are probably more relevant if you plan to continue traveling.

Look on comparis.ch for rental prices and types of properties available. It is a good idea to know what a Swiss house looks like and what your rental budget will get you before you start looking at potential properties.

If you choose an international / English school, lots of people drive 20 / 30 minutes, in my opinion any further and you will find the logistics of school, activities, play dates etc become wearing. If you choose local, your kids are likely to walk to school!

Thanks both. Discussions continue here and I'm still thinking about logistics (we're in a good state school here and I'm a big fan of local schools - but worry about language problems and then coming back and whether DC1 would be ready for secondary). Much to ponder so thanks for tips - I might be back!!