A warm welcome to our private, state-recognised secondary school at the English-German Phorms Campus Hamburg! Learning and growing together in a small, international community – this is what characterises us.
Our teaching follows the immersion method, complemented by subject-specific language instruction, with German and English being equal languages of instruction. This unique feature sets us apart from other schools: while public schools in Germany begin teaching English in year 5, our curriculum is based on the Cambridge Secondary Frameworks, ensuring comprehensive bilingual education from the start.«
We are state-recognised, which means our qualifications are fully recognised in Germany and internationally; this offers our graduating students a wide range of educational and career opportunities.
Our teachers give instruction in their mother tongue, either German or English. By the end of their Phorms education, students can communicate confidently and proficiently in both spoken and written German and English.
We foster individual strengths and independent learning through creative teaching methods and cross-curricular team and project work. Every school day ends with a phase of self-organised learning.
In addition to German and English, our main languages, secondary students can choose between Spanish or French as a second or even third foreign language.
Starting in year 5, we promote an understanding of economic contexts in a globalised world through projects, excursions, and work placements.
Learning is our top priority, and we ensure a reliable timetable with consistent, qualified, subject-specific cover when necessary.
Respectful interactions, openness to the world, and active individual participation are the essential foundations of a free and tolerant society.
Through our bilingual teaching in German and English, we prepare our secondary school students optimally for the global challenges of the future. We enable them to understand the world in all its cultural and linguistic diversity, with its local particularities and global connections. At our school, students learn to think and act independently, question critically, express themselves, stand up for values of freedom, and treat one another with respect.«
Gabriela Engel
Head of Secondary School
Andrea Zahrte
Deputy Head of Secondary School
Annika Watson
Deputy Head of Extracurricular Programme
To ensure successful learning in both German- and English-language subject teaching, the following orientation values can be helpful: By year 7 to 8, a proficiency level of B1/B2 is required for new students joining, and by the time students enter the upper secondary level (Studienstufe), the required proficiency is B2/C1 in German and B2 in English. However, please keep in mind that every student has different language abilities and learning speeds, and we always rely on individualised assessments and learning progress to make predictions.
Approximately 50% of the subject lessons are taught in English or German. There may be slight variations across the different grade levels, but generally, the 50:50 distribution is maintained throughout the lower secondary school (Sekundarstufe I).
Yes, it is possible to join our bilingual gymnasium mid-year. The requirement is a valid gymnasium recommendation by year 7 or a grade average that predicts success in the gymnasium track. Additionally, the student must have taken one of our offered second foreign languages (Spanish or French) from year 6 onwards. Of course, we assess the student’s language proficiency in German and English during trial days or an assessment to ensure they can follow and succeed in the challenging subject lessons in both languages.
Yes, it is possible to join our upper secondary school (Studienstufe) from year 11. However, there are specific subject and course selection requirements (see Upper Secondary). Please make sure to clarify these in advance by contacting our Admissions Department.
Do you have questions about our school, our nursery or the registration process? We will be delighted to assist you with any queries.
Jessica Janorschke
Admissions Officer
