While all schools up and down the UK welcome a refreshingly cosmopolitan pupil body, some globetrotting families might be looking for an educational setting specifically geared up for their more transient lifestyle – and that’s where international schools come in.
There are myriad reasons why an expat family might consider an international school in the UK: continuity of curriculum (they might be seeking a school offering the same academic route as their home country); a more flexible admissions process (making it easier for new joiners to slot into a year group if they have recently moved to the UK from abroad); and, crucially, a ready-made community that will make them feel at home. But the UK’s international schools aren’t just for pupils from abroad. Today, more and more UK families are choosing them for their internationally recognised qualifications, which open the door to universities across the world.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is perhaps the best-known curriculum and, interestingly, many top public schools now offer the Diploma Programme at sixth form alongside or instead of A-levels. The IB method favours interdisciplinary exploration, independent learning, critical thinking and global awareness – so it’s becoming increasingly relevant in this age of globalisation. Four programmes cover the whole educational journey, from age three to 19, with the relatively new Career-Related Programme (IBCP) innovatively combining academic subjects with professional pathways. Some UK international schools follow the American education system – elementary, middle and high school – with high-school students sitting the Advanced Placement (AP) that prepares them for university or college in the US. Others offer full bilingual immersion or the agility of a fully online education. For families who move often, this can be a godsend.
There’s no one-size-fits-all model to the international school scene in the UK, but what they all do share is a global outlook, sensitive pastoral care that ensures children settle in from whatever country they’ve arrived from at whatever time of year they join and a stream of pupils who leave with a well-rounded understanding of the world. Fees tend to be higher than other independent schools, but scholarships, bursaries and payment plans are available, and many employers subsidise fees. Read on to find out more about some of our favourites.
ACS Cobham
There’s a wonderfully vibrant and inclusive atmosphere at this non-selective, all-through day and boarding school, where the 1,300 pupils from 80 nations receive an education that turns them into effective and curious learners ready to go out into the world and make a positive impact.
The broad curriculum includes the IB, the US High School Diploma and Advanced Placement Courses, with core competencies and human skills the focus rather than learning how to regurgitate facts. ‘Our goal is as simple as it is inspiring,’ the school tells us. ‘To make our students ready for the challenges of tomorrow so they thrive at every stage of their life.’
The education here is academically rigorous, but more importantly this school’s global outlook and holistic mindset means pupils are equipped with everything they need to live happy and fulfilling lives.
ACS Hillingdon
The bespoke approach to every child is beyond impressive at this proudly non-selective day school located conveniently close to London and Heathrow Airport. From age four, pupils are encouraged to explore and investigate, question and problem-solve, and ultimately take ownership over their learning. Forest school, outdoor lessons and involvement with the local community are all part of the winning recipe here, as are leadership roles and pupil-led assemblies for older lower-school pupils.
In the upper school, multiple pathways continue the tailored approach, giving pupils the choice of taking the IBDP (IB Diploma Programme), Advanced Placement Courses (AP), the US High School Diploma and the IBCP (IB Career-Related Programme). The last is unique to the school and sees pupils pursuing courses such as visual effects and expressive arts paving the way for careers in film or theatre. Fantastic university counsellors are with students every step of the way as they choose subjects and pathways, and leavers fly off to some of the best institutions in the UK and beyond.
ACS Egham
This is one of only two schools in the UK to offer all four IB programmes from primary years upwards, equipping pupils with the kind of 21st-century skills and academics that firmly set them on course for a bright future. Assessment is holistic and learning is pupil-led, with personal passions given as much weight as getting through a set curriculum – sport and creative arts are amazing, with knockout facilities all located in a beautiful leafy campus on the edge of Windsor Great Park.
Pupils hail from nearly every continent in the world, making it feel like a real global village, and everyone soon settles into the warm, tight-knit community where whole families are embraced with myriad social events, from low-key gatherings to the annual international fair, which is a multicultural smorgasbord of fun. And with values including respect, empathy and service to others ingrained early on, pupils emerge as thoughtful global citizens ready to take on the world.
L’École de Battersea
When it comes to bilingual immersion, no school does it better than L'Ecole de Battersea. Pupils holistically learn French and English (to hear them on the playground chattering easily in both languages is a delight), and not only that, they also acquire the kind of cultural agility that comes with true bilingualism.
Taking the best of both the French and the British educational systems, lessons are taught alternately in each language, and the school hits the sweet spot between tradition and innovation with technology and forward-thinking teaching methods used to keep learning relevant and engaging. Families are very much part of the school community, making it a real home away from home for expats who have relocated to London. This sense of belonging is also part of the careful social and emotional development the school offers, which is every bit as important as the academics.
Halcyon London International School
A vibrant IB school in bustling Marylebone, Halcyon follows an innovative IB curriculum that makes a real community of the diverse student cohort. Independent, self-directed learning is emphasised, with pupils encouraged to take ownership of their academic journey, collaborating with each other and teachers to set themselves challenging goals and select learning techniques that work best for them.
The not-for-profit model means every penny goes back into enhancing the quality of education. We were blown away by the outstanding teachers (each one is also a trained cognitive coach) and the cutting-edge resources – here, pupils quickly become digitally fluent, learning how to navigate and leverage technology in innovative ways. Add in the international and inclusive mindset, and you have a very unique school in the heart of London.
International School of London
The pioneering home-language programme really sets this school in west London apart. Currently teaching no less than 24 languages, it enables every pupil to continue to learn language and literature in their first tongue, helping them stay connected to their cultural roots while also integrating into the wonderfully warm and diverse community at the school.
Student buddies and parent language reps mean new joiners feel at home from the get-go, and the holistic approach quickly fosters resilience as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We also love the outdoor learning experiences where it’s not just younger pupils who do forest school in nearby Gunnersbury Park – older pupils also combine it with design, further embedding a deep connection to nature.
King’s InterHigh
This online school offers its pupils a sterling British education wherever they are in the world – so whether their families live in remote areas, relocate frequently or embrace a nomadic lifestyle, school life stays consistent.
The community spans a massive 133 countries, making for vibrant virtual classrooms, with the exposure to diverse cultures and viewpoints really enhancing the learning experience. The style of education really helps develop independence and self-reliance, with plenty of support and features in place to help, from dynamic to-do lists and class recordings available 24/7 if other commitments mean they can’t attend to a comprehensive learning platform packed with resources.
Pupils sit iGCSEs and A-levels, with the IB Diploma Programme also an option in sixth form. And dedicated career guidance is on hand as pupils plan next steps, whether that’s applying for university, apprenticeships or jumping straight into a career.
Marymount International School
Blending an all-girls education with a comprehensive IB curriculum and strong Catholic ethos, Marymount knows how to turn out pupils who are emotionally, spiritually and socially grounded. And they’re definitely high-flyers when it comes to academic excellence.
Offering both the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, the educational pathway is smooth from 11 to 18, with small class sizes and personalised attention ensuring everyone reaches their full potential. There’s even a dedicated college counsellor to help everyone prepare for life after school, with an Oxford pre-admission programme for those aiming for the top tier.
Personal development, creativity and community engagement are all part and parcel of life here and, together with the multicultural environment, it means pupils leave fully equipped with the tools to thrive in a globalised world.
Taunton International School
A school within a school, the international arm of this day and boarding school in Somerset gives pupils whose first language isn’t English a space to be part of a traditional British school while meeting their particular needs as international pupils. The cohort are a global bunch, with pupils from more than 60 nationalities who settle easily into the school’s friendly and down-to-earth atmosphere. There are lots of academic pathways on offer, from one-year GCSEs and iGCSEs to the IB and the International Foundation Year. And the extracurricular is fantastic with more than 150 activities and clubs on offer, all giving pupils the opportunity to integrate with the wider school community.
Collège Français Bilingue de Londres
If you’re looking for a high-quality bilingual education in London, CFBL ticks all the boxes. Combining the best bits of both a French and a British education, the school offers the academic rigour and breadth the French academic curriculum is well-known for, without scrimping on the emphasis on co-curricular – including creative arts and sport – found in UK schools. It’s an ideal choice for families for whom frequent location may be part of their long-term plans, particularly if their children might be looking to switch between the French and British education systems.
With over 60 different nationalities on the school roll, pupils here also have access to an unrivalled global network. The school is part of the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), which is made up of 580 schools in 139 different countries and supports internationally-mobile families looking to maintain continuity in their child’s education. The school is brilliantly geared up to support relocating families, too – a highly flexible, rolling admissions policy, coupled with a language support programme – means new joiners can slot in year-round.