Southbank School

Southbank International School - London's leading IB World School

Age: 3—18 years.

Southbank International School – is an international school for children from 3 to 18 years old, from early childhood to high school. Was founded in 1979. The school has three campuses: Kensington, Hampstead and Westminster. All are located in some of central London's most attractive and inspiring areas.

Southbank — an international school offering a broad and challenging curriculum with a global outlook and an emphasis on research.

Among the students and staff of the school there are representatives of 70 nationalities from all over the world. To support Southbank's international mindset, the school offers a comprehensive language program for all students. The school offers the study of more than 20 languages ​​in high school. Middle school students can study French and Spanish as well as their native language. Younger students learn Spanish as part of their curriculum.

Parents of students say about the school: “Southbank is different because it teaches my children how to think, not what to think. They have friends from all over the world, so the school really welcomes differences and different cultures."

Director (for 2026)

Siobhan McGrath, education - University of Buckingham, Master of Education; University of Canterbury, BA in English Language and Literature.

Key factors

• The school runs the IB (International Baccalaureate) program. In 2018, graduates showed the highest grades in the history of the school. 3 students scored the maximum 45 points out of 45. The school's students consistently rank in the top 3% worldwide in exam scores.
• Students can learn other languages ​​as well as their native language.
• The school places a strong emphasis on the importance of keeping an open mind and thinking critically.
• The school supports the individual needs and develops the individual strengths of each student so that they can realize their potential.
• Excellent location allowing London to be used as a classroom
• The school cannot be entered with a basic level of English, but there are English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes for students who need help speaking and writing English.

Equipment

Kensington Campus

About 210 children aged from 3 to 11 years study here. The campus is located in London's stunning Notting Hill, between the famous Portobello Road and Kensington Park Road. The main building consists of two adjacent Victorian villas.

Here are:

• Computer laboratory with high-performance Mac computers.
• Interactive whiteboards in all classrooms.
• Music room with various instruments and digital recording equipment.
• Art room with a wide selection of materials for practical creativity.
• A well-stocked library that students visit regularly to develop literacy and research skills.
• Garden with climbing equipment, sandbox and a large selection of educational toys and equipment.

Hampstead Campus

About 200 children aged from 3 to 11 years study here. The campus is located in Netherhall Gardens, conveniently accessible by public and private transport, and close to Hampstead Heath, one of London's largest open spaces.

Here are:

• Dedicated STEAM lab for science, technology, engineering and math classes.
• All classrooms have a digital screen and Apple TV.
• Individual art room with a wide selection of materials for practical creativity.
• Edible patio offering a quiet space to grow vegetables and flowers, as well as birdhouses and an insect hotel.
• All-weather field with artificial turf for sports and games.
• A vibrant, well-stocked library that students visit regularly to develop literacy and research skills.

Westminster Campus

Children aged 11 to 18 study here. The campus is located at three locations in central London (Portland Place, Conway Street and Cleveland Street), all of which are just five minutes' walk from each other. 

Portland Place Campus — A magnificent Grade II listed building located on Portland Place itself. This location is very close to Oxford Street and Regent's Park, as well as famous London attractions such as LondonPalladium Theater and Madame Tussauds.

On campus there are:

• Design lab with Mac desktops. Design labs include laser cutters, 3D printers and other industry equipment.
• Art room equipped with a wide range of materials for arts and crafts.
• Music room with various instruments and digital recording equipment.
• Small hall/theater for meetings and performances.
• Library of over 5,000 books, plus access to powerful online databases.
• Pupils have access to a wide range of sports facilities and venues in London.

The Conway Street Campus is a vibrant, modernized building located close to leafy Fitzroy Square. It's also just a few minutes' walk from Warren Street and Great Portland Street tube stations, and close to a variety of museums and libraries.

On campus there are:

• Well-equipped scientific laboratories.
• Library center that offers students access to more than 3,800 books, online resources and databases.
• Pupils have access to a wide range of sports and games facilities in London, including the Kilburn Sports Centre, acquired and refurbished by Southbank in 2012 (bus transport provided).

Newest campus on Cleveland Street– It is a state-of-the-art learning environment located very close to Great Portland Street tube station. The campus, which opened in September 2018, was created with active input from students and teachers about what it should be and how it should look and feel. This includes living moss walls that bring nature into the interior, as well as calming color schemes and artwork.

On campus there are:

• Well-equipped design technology laboratory with laser cutters, 3D printers and other industry equipment.
• Art room equipped with a wide range of materials for arts and crafts.
• Learning and training modules for individuals, couples and groups.
• Large open plan common space on the top floor for socializing in close proximity to a variety of restaurants, cafes and other amenities.
• Pupils have access to a wide range of sports and games facilities in London, including the Kilburn Sports Centre, acquired and refurbished by Southbank in 2012 (bus transport provided).

Program

International Baccalaureate(IB)

International Baccalaureate program recognized by universities around the world. 6 subjects are studied: 3 at an advanced level and 3 at a standard level. In addition to this, students write an extended essay, take a course in “Theory of Knowledge” and (practical philosophy) and the CAS course ("Creativity, Action, Service").

Find out more about IB program

Sport

The school offers many opportunities for training and competition in a wide range of sports. Students develop gymnastics skills, ball skills, and athletics techniques in throwing, running and jumping. Developing self-regulation skills also promotes emotional maturity and personal development. Students have access to a range of excellent sporting facilities in London and inspiring coaches who can improve their sporting skills.

The school is a member of the International Schools Sports Association (ISSA), so students of all ages have the opportunity to compete with other schools in London.

In high school, competitive sports are added to the program to give students the opportunity to play against teams from other local schools as well as international schools. These competitions take place all over the world — for example, football and volleyball among boys and girls were played in Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Istanbul.

The school's boys team recently won the ISSA Varsity Tennis Tournament and the girls team finished second overall in the same competition.

A number of students performed well at the 2018 Westminster Athletics Championships; and the under-16 basketball team won the Westminster Basketball Championship.

Additional activities

Extracurricular activities — a great way to extend what students learn in class. Schools provide many opportunities to explore new interests and develop skills in existing hobbies. After each semester, the student has the opportunity to change his choice of extracurricular activities. This allows them to visit as many clubs as possible and communicate with a wider range of people.people.

For children from 3 to 11 years old:

• Ballet
• Chess
• Chorus
• Cooking
• Drama
• Fencing
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Lego
• Mini tennis
• Paint and wear
• Rock climbing
• Textile art
• Science Club
• Learning to play the ukulele
• Volunteer Club

For children 11-15 years old:

• Acting Club: Children take part in theater games and activities that lead to rehearsals for school plays and musicals.
• Creative Writing: Students work individually and in teams to create poems and stories, and participate in other media activities.
• Global Agenda Network: The network brings together students from international schools to discuss major issues currently affecting the world.
• Math competitions: the school has math clubs that help talented young mathematicians prepare for competitions.
• International School Sports Association: Students can participate in a variety of sports at competitive and non-competitive levels. As a member of the International School Sports Association (ISSA), Southbank School regularly competes with other schools in friendlies and tournaments.
• London Exploration Society: Students are encouraged to explore some of the famous landmarks as well as the hidden gems found in the British capital.

For children 16-18 years old:

• Theater: As a member of a theater club, students can audition and rehearse for school productions, write and develop their own pieces, or help with lighting and sound.
• Model United Nations: Students explore, discuss, and try to solve some of the world's most pressing problems. Southbank School participates in two conferences annually in Paris and The Hague.
• Music: Students at the school can take part in a variety of musical activities, from playing in a rock band to singing in a choir to performing as a solo instrumentalist.
• Robotics Club: Students design and build robot models and ultimately compete for awards internationally. In particular, this activity is highly valued by US universities.
• International School Sports Association: Students can participate in a variety of sports at competitive and non-competitive levels. As a member of the International School Sports Association (ISSA), Southbank School regularly competes with other schools in friendlies and tournaments.
• School Yearbook: Club members help compile photographs and articles that serve as a record of daily life and memorable events of the past year.

Arts Program

At school they believe that studying art – it's a great way to begin to think and express themselves differently, improve their understanding of the world, and develop a stronger sense of who they are.

Visual Arts

As part of the art program, the school organizes excursions for students to London and beyond. This provides a fantastic opportunity to see performances, art, films and concerts from world-class artists in some of the UK's best venues.

While studying at Southbank, students can take part in a variety of extra-curricular arts activities. These include: animation, concert group, theater group, film club, painting and sculpture, photography, pottery, script writing, string orchestra, theater production and much more.

Younger students can study architecture, ceramics, collage, costume design, drawing, graphic design, film, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and woodwork. The school organizes trips to art galleries, museums, theaters and cinemas to help introduce visual arts from around the world. 

In secondary school, students develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking. Through their visual arts classes, they learn about important artists, works of art, and techniques. The purpose of the classes – Give students the knowledge and skills they need to solve problems creatively, critique the work of others, and confidently express their feelings, experiences, and ideas.

High school students develop their personal visual language in two- and three-dimensional environments throughout the visual arts course. This involves developing critical thinking to develop a fresh perspective on the fundamentals of art and design. Students then reach a point where they think and behave like practicing artists and designers.

Music and performing arts

In the lower grades (from 3 to 11 years old), classes introduce children to music from different times and places. All students aged five and over learn to play the violin, viola or cello as part of the music program. When they reach grades 4 and 5, they also have the opportunity to learn to play the guitar or flute. Starting in kindergarten, all junior students take part in a recital and the annual school concert. Junior schoolchildren regularly attend large concert halls and theaters in London, take part in live performances, and also improve their performance skills.

In grades 6-8, students study theater, fine arts and music separately for one semester a year. In Years 9 and 10, they study design throughout the year and choose to study one of the subjects: theatre, art or music, all of which can continue to be studied in senior school. Each art subject develops critical and creative skills in a variety of contexts. The theater course examines modern theater and the history of theater. The course helps you develop your own theatrical and presentation skills, teaching you the design and construction of set, costume and props, as well as stage lighting and sound production.

During the two-year IB program, students take standard or advanced courses in film, theater, visual arts, or music.

Media

The course allows you to explore, experiment and create creative products in various media. This includes photography, animation, video production, interactive media, radio and print. Students explore different genres and then create their own projects, working individually or collaboratively in small groups. In addition to developing technical skills, the course aims to encourage creativity, teamwork and media literacy.

Cinema

The course dives into the practical, theoretical and conceptual aspects of filmmaking. This includes learning how to tell a story visually, write a script and plan a production schedule, use lighting and recording equipment, edit and create the final cut. Course – This is excellent preparation for any student who wants to study film theory, film production or any art or communications course at university or wants to work in the film industry.

Cost, 2026-2027

£13,355 - £16,033 per semester (depending on age).
There are 3 semesters in the academic year.

Included in price

• Training

Additional charge

• Application fee - £300
• Deposit - £2,000
• Contribution to the school fund - £3,000
• Air travel
• Transfers to/from/airport
• Visa
• Educational company services
• Selection of a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of a British school

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