Finnish Education in London
London already has a small number of Finnish-language community schools serving expatriate families, but that is different from a Finnish-curriculum primary education. Here is how the two compare and what a London family weighing Finnish pedagogy should know.
- London has long-standing Finnish-language schools, generally run to support bilingual children of Finnish expatriate families rather than to deliver a full Finnish national curriculum.
- A Finnish-curriculum primary education is a different thing: it is a pedagogy and curriculum framework, not a language programme, and does not require a family to speak Finnish at home.
- Finnish-curriculum primary education focuses on K-5, building literacy, numeracy and broad skills through play, phenomenon-based projects and minimal formal testing.
- Schools in London can bring Finnish pedagogy in through formal affiliation with a Finnish curriculum provider, separate from the existing Finnish-language school network.
Finnish-language schools versus a Finnish curriculum
London's existing Finnish schools are typically community-run, part-time programmes that help expatriate children maintain Finnish language and culture, not full-time schools delivering a Finnish national curriculum in English or another language. A Finnish-curriculum primary school is a different, distinct offering: an English-medium (or locally adapted) school that teaches using Finnish pedagogy, phenomenon-based projects, mixed-ability grouping and minimal testing, described in Finnish education in the UK.
What London families weighing Finnish pedagogy should know
Families in London already choose between the British National Curriculum, a wide range of independent and prep schools, and several international options including IB schools. Finnish-curriculum education would sit alongside these as a further alternative, distinguished by its emphasis on wellbeing, play in the early years and formative assessment; see Finnish pedagogy vs the British National Curriculum and Finnish pedagogy vs UK independent and prep schools for direct comparisons.
How a school in London could offer it
A London school interested in offering Finnish-curriculum primary education would typically pursue formal affiliation with an established provider, covering curriculum materials, teacher training in Finnish methods, and ongoing quality support, similar to the process described in how school affiliation with OPPI works.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Finnish-language school in London the same as a Finnish-curriculum school?
No. Finnish-language schools in London generally focus on maintaining Finnish language and culture for expatriate children on a part-time basis. A Finnish-curriculum school is a full pedagogical approach and does not require Finnish language ability.
Do I need to speak Finnish for my child to attend a Finnish-curriculum school?
No. Finnish-curriculum schools outside Finland typically teach in English or the local language, using Finnish teaching methods and curriculum structure rather than the Finnish language itself.
Are there Finnish-curriculum primary schools currently operating in London?
Availability changes as new affiliations are established. Families interested should contact Finnish curriculum providers directly, or raise the option with a school they are already considering.
Related reading
Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school
OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.
Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.
Apply to the affiliation cohort →