ENSR—École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande—was a pleasant surprise on this Swiss trip. Behind an unassuming entrance, I found teaching spaces for different age groups, music facilities, tennis, basketball and football areas, and a straight running track. After seeing the campus and boarding accommodation and meeting the head and admissions team, I would describe it as a hidden gem worth exploring.
A full school with a small boarding community
The school covers kindergarten through secondary education, with age-appropriate teaching spaces. Its own sports facilities allow classes, sport, music and residential life to connect around the campus.
During our visit, we were told of more than 500 pupils overall, with around 30–40 boarders. I find this combination interesting: a substantial day-school community and a small residential group. Boarders participate in a broader school life rather than living only among other boarders.
Refurbished rooms and careful daily management
The boarding areas we visited had been refurbished, with newer facilities and accommodation I liked very much. Classrooms and bedrooms were notably clean, tidy and well organised. These are practical details I pay attention to when judging how a school is managed.
Boarding takes place on the campus, which makes the connection between learning and daily life reassuring. For parents living abroad, LEP discusses room-sharing, evening supervision and communication with families in concrete terms, drawing on the spaces we have seen.
Nearly an hour with the head and admissions team
The head and admissions staff gave us almost an hour of detailed, warm and professional discussion. The head was interested in China, while Chinese pupils were very few.
I particularly remember the wish to manage boarding admissions steadily and preserve the small, family-like community. This may appeal to parents who want their child to participate actively in local and international school life, with close attention to boarding arrangements.
The Thai royal family and the Chaplin connection
ENSR was founded in 1906. Historical material from Lausanne Tourism and the Swiss Embassy in Thailand records the school connection of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, and his brother King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII.
There is also a specific Chaplin-family alumni record. ENSR’s 2023 alumni publication identifies musician Spencer Chaplin as a former pupil, while the family’s official biography establishes that he is Charlie Chaplin’s grandson.
That history encourages a closer look at the school’s culture. What makes me want to introduce it to families today, however, is the actual campus, refurbished boarding, orderly management and a team willing to spend time discussing pupils’ needs.
Age, language and the point of entry
For children applying to board from China, the starting point discussed with us was 11½ years old. LEP checks birthday, current year, curriculum and English and French against the school’s assessment. The appropriate entry point for any international applicant should be established individually.
The school offers the IB and Swiss Maturité routes. The choice depends both on the languages a child can use academically now and where they may wish to attend university.
IB or Swiss Maturité?
The IB Diploma is a two-year course. Subject languages vary: the published options list Business Management in French, with French or English options for Economics and some sciences. Desired subjects and language readiness therefore need to be examined together.
ENSR describes its Swiss Maturité preparation over two years, across a broad range of subjects. Its published options include French and German or Italian, alongside other languages and disciplines. A pupil with limited French who wants to enter an upper-secondary route quickly needs a carefully considered transition.
LEP starts with the intended university field, current academic languages and time until graduation, then discusses entry and subject selection with the school.
Can Swiss Maturité lead to EPFL and ETH Zurich?
A Swiss federal or federally recognised gymnasial Maturité gives access to the corresponding direct-admission routes at both EPFL and ETH. Applicants still complete the university application and documentation process. EPFL states that recognised Swiss gymnasial Maturité holders can enter their chosen bachelor’s field outside the restrictions applied to some other qualification groups.
Language planning matters: EPFL undergraduate teaching is mainly in French, while ETH undergraduate teaching is mainly in German. ENSR’s published German option makes it worthwhile to discuss that preparation early with a pupil considering ETH. IB applicants are assessed under each university’s separate IB subject, score and other requirements.
Transferring from a British school
In my view, a family already funding British boarding education has good reasons to compare a Swiss option such as ENSR. The current basic annual tuition-plus-seven-day-board amounts are CHF 81,000 for IB and CHF 80,800 for Maturité. When compared with the child’s actual current bill, the difference may be manageable for some families.
The academic transfer is the central question. GCSE, A Level and IB pupils have different completed subjects, examination timing and language profiles. LEP submits those details to ENSR to clarify the appropriate stage, any preparation needed and a suitable transfer date. A family visit can help the child take part in the decision.
Five-day or seven-day boarding and annual costs
Parents living overseas should plan weekends and school holidays explicitly. The official 2026/27 schedule distinguishes five- and seven-day boarding:
| Course and boarding | Annual tuition (CHF) | Annual boarding (CHF) | Combined annual amount (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 9, seven days | 24,400 | 51,300 | 75,700 |
| Grade 10, seven days | 25,800 | 51,300 | 77,100 |
| Swiss Maturité, seven days | 29,500 | 51,300 | 80,800 |
| IB, seven days | 29,700 | 51,300 | 81,000 |
| IB, five days | 29,700 | 37,300 | 67,000 |
For a first-year seven-day IB boarder, adding the CHF 1,000 application fee and compulsory CHF 201 Kognity platform to CHF 81,000 gives CHF 82,201 in listed items. A refundable CHF 7,000 deposit is a separate cash requirement. Medical insurance, examinations, textbooks, holidays, additional support and any applicable tax must be included in the individual plan.
LEP obtains a quote for the actual year and boarding pattern and checks what is included, so the family compares the full annual commitment.
How I would compare ENSR with other Lausanne options
We also visited Lémania on this trip. For each child, I would compare curriculum, actual subject languages, continuity from the present school, boarding coverage, support and annual expenditure. An English-IB aim requires careful subject checks; a longer-term French-speaking Swiss education route requires earlier language planning.
ENSR deserves close attention for a family valuing its own campus and sport, a small boarding community and serious investment in language and academic transition. It felt understated and well managed. LEP can build on the head and admissions discussion to turn those impressions into an individual application plan.
Apply to ENSR and arrange a visit through LEP
LEP compares IB and Swiss Maturité, discusses languages, transfer stage, boarding availability and annual costs, and arranges family visits. Families already in British schools can share their current course and budget for a focused comparison.
LEP provides school-fit assessment, school liaison, application assistance and family campus-visit bookings. Schools pay for this application support; students and parents pay no LEP service fee for it.
Please share the child’s age, curriculum, recent results, English and French, university interests, intended start date and annual budget. WhatsApp · contact@luxedupartners.lu. Meet James Liu and learn about LEP’s European local support →
Sources and visit evidence: ENSR curriculum, boarding information and official 2026/27 fees; EPFL admission and ETH Swiss Maturité entry rules; Lausanne Tourism, Swiss Embassy in Thailand’s 2016 newsletter, Chronique des Anciens 2023 and the official Chaplin-family biography; James Liu’s campus and boarding visit and meeting with the head and admissions team. Checked and updated on 25 October 2026. First-hand observations: James Liu’s October 2026 Swiss school visits.