British Schools in Athens: Campion, St. Catherine's, and the English Curriculum Options (2026)
For families relocating to Athens from the UK, Australia, South Africa, or anywhere that uses English-medium education, the British curriculum schools are typically the first port of call. Athens has two well-established options — Campion School and St. Catherine's British School — together with Athens College, a bilingual institution whose English stream gives it a natural place in this conversation.
Campion School Athens
Founded in 1970, Campion School is the most established British international school in Athens and among the most well-known in southeastern Europe. It is located in Pallini, in the eastern suburbs of Athens, roughly 18 km from the city centre and close to Athens International Airport.
Curriculum and qualifications: Campion follows the English National Curriculum from Year 1 through Year 9. At Year 10, students begin the Cambridge IGCSE programme (two years, typically nine to eleven subjects). At Years 12–13, Campion offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma — the school replaced its A-Level programme with the IB Diploma in 2002 — a broad, internationally recognised sixth-form qualification accepted by universities worldwide.
Size and community: The school has a mixed international community. Families from the UK, the US, EU member states, and the wider Anglophone world are all represented. The school has sports facilities, a performing arts programme, and a broad co-curricular offer.
Accreditation: Campion is accredited under the British Schools Overseas (BSO) framework, the UK government's quality assurance standard for British schools abroad.
2025–2026 Fees:
| Year Group | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Years 3–6 (primary) | €12,550 |
| Years 7–9 (lower secondary) | €13,650 |
| Years 10–13 (IGCSE and IB Diploma) | €14,950 |
A 5% discount applies for full payment by 31 July 2025. There is a 20% sibling discount on fees for a third or subsequent child from the same family attending concurrently.
Location note: Pallini is not a central Athens neighbourhood. Most families living in the northern suburbs (Kifisia, Ekali) or southern suburbs (Glyfada, Voula) will rely on the school bus network. For the school bus zones and commute times, contact the school directly.
See best areas in Athens near international schools for neighbourhood guidance.
St. Catherine's British School Athens
St. Catherine's British School (known locally as St. Catherine's or SCBS) is located in Lykovrissi, in the northern suburbs of Athens. It is an accredited British School Overseas (BSO), an IB World School, and a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). The school takes children from Nursery (age 3) through to Year 13.
Curriculum and qualifications: St. Catherine's follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales through to IGCSE (Year 10 and 11). Post-16, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme rather than A-Levels — a point worth noting if your child's university pathway calls specifically for A-Level grades (most UK universities accept the IB equally, but some specialist programmes, particularly in medicine, may specify grade requirements in IBDP terms).
Size: The school serves well over 1,000 pupils. It is a sizeable British school by international standards — large enough to offer a full subject range while maintaining a strong community feel.
2025–2026 Fees:
| Year Group | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery | €9,710 |
| Reception–Year 2 | €13,300–€13,970 |
| Years 3–6 | €14,120 |
| Years 7–9 | €14,660 |
| Years 10–11 (IGCSE) | €15,830 |
| Years 12–13 (IB Diploma) | €16,500 |
Additional fees on enrolment include: a non-refundable application fee (€150), a registration fee (€1,000), a development fund contribution (€1,500 for Nursery–Year 10; €500 for Years 11–13), and an annual reservation deposit (€2,000, non-refundable). Sibling discounts of 2.5% to 10% apply depending on the number of children enrolled.
Athens College and Psychico College (HAEF)
Athens College and its sister institution Psychico College are operated by the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation (HAEF), founded in 1925. They are not British schools in the strict sense — instruction combines Greek and English — but they are included here because many expat families consider them, particularly those who intend to remain in Greece long-term or who want their children to become genuinely bilingual.
The schools are regarded as among the most academically prestigious in Greece. Entrance is by competitive examination held each March. Competition for places — particularly at the Junior High (Grade 7 entry) level — is intense, and the schools maintain waiting lists. The Psychico campus houses the Junior High, High School, and IB Diploma programme; the Kantza campus houses two Elementary Schools.
The IB Diploma is available at the Psychico campus, providing a recognised international qualification at the end of secondary study. French is also taught across all grades.
For detailed fee information, contact the HAEF admissions office directly; annual tuition is competitive with the British schools above, with a one-time initial enrolment fee of €500.
See IB schools in Athens and waiting lists for more on HAEF admissions.
Comparing the British Options
| Factor | Campion | St. Catherine's | Athens College/HAEF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-16 qualification | IB Diploma | IB Diploma | IB Diploma |
| Language of instruction | English | English | Greek + English |
| Location | Pallini (east) | Lykovrissi (north) | Psychico / Kantza |
| Selectivity | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions | Competitive exam |
| Approx. secondary fees | €13,650–€14,950 | €14,660–€16,500 | Contact school |
Choosing the Right School
Choose Campion if your child is UK-curriculum educated through IGCSE, you are comfortable with the IB Diploma at sixth form, and the Pallini location or school bus works for you.
Choose St. Catherine's if you want a northern-suburbs location closer to Kifisia and Marousi, your child is entering at a younger year group, or you prefer a school running the British curriculum through IGCSE before the IB Diploma post-16.
Consider Athens College/Psychico College if you plan to remain in Greece for several years, value bilingual education, and are willing to compete for a place through the entrance examination process.
For families at primary age who have more flexibility, primary schools in Athens for expats covers all the early-years and primary options in more depth.
How Global Investments Can Help
Our team advises expat families on property in Greece across the Athens area, including neighbourhoods that offer convenient access to Campion, St. Catherine's, and the HAEF campuses. If you are also exploring Greece's Golden Visa residency programme, we can discuss how the property investment and the school decision align. View current listings or speak to us about your family's requirements.
This guide is for information purposes only. Fees and admissions criteria are subject to change; verify current details directly with each school. Property investment values can fall as well as rise.
Frequently asked questions
Which British schools are in Athens?
The two principal fully British-curriculum schools are Campion School (Pallini) and St. Catherine's British School (Lykovrissi). Both follow the English National Curriculum from primary age through to IGCSE/GCSE and beyond. Athens College/Psychico College (Psychico) is Greek-English bilingual but has a strong English-medium stream and is considered alongside British schools by many expat families.
Do Athens British schools offer A-Levels or the IB Diploma?
Both Campion School and St. Catherine's British School offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) as their post-16 qualification. Campion replaced its A-Level programme with the IB Diploma in 2002. Athens College/Psychico College also offers the IB Diploma at its Psychico campus. Families set specifically on Cambridge A-Levels should note that some other British schools in the wider Athens area offer them; verify current programmes directly with each school.
What are the fees at Campion School and St. Catherine's?
As of 2025–2026, Campion School charges approximately €13,650 per year at secondary level (Years 7–9) and €14,950 at IGCSE and sixth-form level (Years 10–13). St. Catherine's fees run from approximately €14,660 (Years 7–9) to €16,500 (Years 12–13). Both schools charge additional registration, development, and reservation fees on top of annual tuition.
Which British school in Athens is right for my child?
Campion suits families who want a well-established British school with a larger campus and a long track record since 1970, leading to the IB Diploma post-16. St. Catherine's suits families who prefer a slightly smaller school community, also offering the IB Diploma post-16. Athens College is the right choice if a prestigious bilingual (Greek-English) environment — and immersion in Greek culture — aligns with your family's aims. The right answer depends on your child's age, preferred qualification route, and the location of your Athens home.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.