Southbank International School Kensington is an independent, co-educational day school serving children aged 2 to 11 in the heart of Notting Hill, London. One of three Southbank International Schools across London, this campus was established in 1992 and has built a reputation as London's first school authorised to deliver all three International Baccalaureate programmes. The Kensington campus delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) exclusively, with pupils transferring to the Westminster campus at age 11 to continue their IB journey. Housed in two adjoining Victorian villas on Kensington Park Road, the school educates approximately 210 children representing nearly 40 nationalities. Non-selective and committed to rolling admissions, Southbank Kensington emphasises inquiry-based learning, multilingualism, and international-mindedness. Fees for 2024/25 range from £8,885 to £11,010 per term, with additional setup fees for new families. In October 2024, the school received an exceptional ISI inspection report, with inspectors awarding the rare designation of 'significant strength' in creating conditions where students thrive.
Originally founded as The American International School in 1979, Southbank relocated to its current Kensington site in 1992 and became part of the Cognita Schools group in 2006. The school's mission centres on academic rigour paired with a liberal ethos that celebrates diversity and nurtures global citizenship. At the heart of this philosophy lies the International Baccalaureate framework, which encourages students to become active, compassionate lifelong learners who recognise that others with different perspectives can also be right.
The school's guiding principle is that happy children learn better. Leaders prioritise pastoral wellbeing as an essential prerequisite for learning, fostering an environment where every child feels they belong. From early childhood onwards, pupils are encouraged to plan and execute their own projects and investigations, developing independence, confidence, and critical thinking. The culture promotes challenging assumptions whilst maintaining openness to diverse viewpoints—qualities deemed essential for thriving in an interconnected world.
Currently led by Principal David MacMorran, the school community comprises over 70 nationalities among staff and students. English is the language of instruction, with Spanish taught as a second language from Kindergarten upwards. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available throughout the primary years, and the school accepts beginners in English for children under nine (Grade 4), recognising that younger learners can attain the necessary language standards with appropriate support.
The atmosphere is described as friendly, welcoming, and genuinely international. The October 2024 ISI inspection commended leaders for actively seeking the views of staff, pupils, and parents, and for clearly communicating that every pupil's sense of belonging is central to the school's identity.
Southbank Kensington delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, a transdisciplinary curriculum organised around six themes of global significance. The PYP emphasises inquiry-based learning, where children explore concepts through investigation, collaboration, and reflection. Pupils progress through three sections: early childhood (to five years), lower primary (five to eight years), and upper primary (eight to eleven years). Class sizes typically range from 14 to 17 students, ensuring close attention and individualised support.
The curriculum integrates dance, drama, music, and visual arts. From age five, all students learn violin, viola, or cello through the Suzuki music programme, with opportunities to take up guitar or flute from Grades 4 and 5. About one-third of pupils take extra-curricular instrumental lessons from Year 3 onwards, and the school runs a choir and instrument ensembles. Coding and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) are embedded across the curriculum, with Lego robotics forming a key component.
Technology use is mature and confident: pupils from early years employ tablet computers to research, record, and organise information, and the school operates a one-to-one device programme with Google Classroom supporting collaboration and home-school learning. Students over Grade 3 sign an Acceptable Use Policy, and the school fosters responsible digital citizenship.
Assessment data indicates that pupils' abilities are above average. As an independent international school, Southbank Kensington does not participate in national Key Stage 2 assessments, so no state performance metrics are available. However, the school's inquiry-based approach and emphasis on conceptual understanding align with IB standards, preparing pupils for the transition to the Middle Years Programme at the Westminster campus.
Southbank Kensington supports 19 pupils identified with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), all of whom receive additional specialist help and make rapid progress with intervention strategies. No pupils currently hold Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. The school is mainstream and can accommodate mild learning differences, though families with more complex needs are encouraged to discuss provision directly with the school. Additionally, 49 pupils receive support for English as an additional language, delivered by classroom teachers and specialist EAL instructors.
The Kensington campus occupies two Victorian villas between the famous Portobello Road and Kensington Park Road, a setting that combines heritage architecture with contemporary educational facilities. The building includes a library/media centre, an IT lab featuring high-performance Macs, interactive smartboards in all classrooms, art and music rooms (including two soundproofed practice rooms), a multi-purpose hall used for lunches, sports, assemblies, and concerts, and an outdoor playground.
Southbank believes extracurricular activities extend classroom learning and provide students with opportunities to explore new interests and develop existing skills. After each of the three school terms, every child can change their activity choices, enabling them to sample a wide range of clubs and interact with students from different year groups. Offerings include animation, concert band, drama club, junior strings, movie club, painting and sculpting, photography, pottery, script writing, string orchestra, rock climbing, Lego, chess, cookery, fencing, textile art, and ukulele.
Sports provision is active despite limited on-site space. Pupils use a sports centre a 15-minute bus ride away, equipped with a large sports hall, climbing wall, and dance studio. The school offers 10 to 15 different sports throughout the year—including athletics, badminton, basketball, climbing, football, softball, tennis, volleyball, and golf—at both competitive and non-competitive levels. As a member of the International School Sports Association (ISSA), Southbank regularly competes in friendly matches and tournaments, performing particularly well in tennis and basketball. Sport is inclusive, with emphasis on enjoyment and wellbeing.
The school day fosters a strong sense of community through regular "town meetings" in the hall, where pupils and staff gather for celebrations, discussions, and shared decision-making.
Southbank Kensington is a mainstream school equipped to support pupils with mild to moderate special educational needs. The school currently identifies 19 pupils with SEND, all of whom receive additional specialist intervention. Assessment data shows that SEND pupils make rapid progress with targeted support strategies.
The school does not currently support children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, and provision is focused on learners who can access the mainstream curriculum with reasonable adjustments. Families considering the school for children with more complex needs should contact the admissions team directly to discuss suitability. It is worth noting that at the Westminster campus (where Kensington pupils transfer at age 11), only minimal specific learning difficulties can be accommodated due to the demanding nature of the IB Middle Years Programme.
In October 2024, Southbank Kensington welcomed Independent Schools Inspectors for a comprehensive review covering leadership and management, quality of education, pupils' physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing, pupils' social and economic education, and safeguarding. The inspection resulted in an exceptional report, with the school receiving the rare designation of 'significant strength' for creating conditions in which students thrive.
Inspectors highlighted that leaders actively seek the views of staff, pupils, and parents, and communicate clearly the importance of every pupil feeling they belong in the school community. Leaders shape provision to reflect their understanding that pastoral wellbeing is an essential prerequisite for learning. Inspectors noted that "from the early years onwards, pupils learn to routinely plan and execute their own projects and investigations, developing skills that are likely to stand them in good stead in the workplace."
Principal David MacMorran expressed pride in the school community, particularly the students and staff who demonstrated excellence during the inspection. The report affirms the school's holistic approach and validates its commitment to inquiry-based, internationally minded education.
Southbank International School Kensington is non-selective and operates rolling admissions, meaning applications are accepted year-round and students can join at any point in the academic year, subject to availability. This flexibility reflects the school's international character and accommodates families relocating to London mid-year.
The application process is conducted entirely online. Parents or guardians complete an application form via the school's OpenApply portal; third-party applications are not accepted. A non-refundable application fee of £300 (inc. VAT) is required upon submission. Grade placement is determined by the child's age as of 1 September, following the American grading system (age placement charts are available on the school's website).
For applicants from Grade 4 upwards whose first language is not English, the school requires an online English language assessment before the Admissions Committee reviews the application. While beginners in English are not accepted into the Middle Years Programme at the Westminster campus, the primary campuses can support younger children (under Grade 4) with little or no English, as younger learners typically acquire language more rapidly.
Supporting documents—such as educational psychologist reports, assessments, or learning needs documentation—should be submitted with the application. The Admissions Committee may request additional materials during the review process, which typically takes 7 to 10 working days once all references and fees are received. If a place is available and the committee recommends admission, families receive a formal offer.
First-year families pay additional setup costs: a refundable deposit of £2,000 (inc. VAT), a Parent Teacher Association fee of £42 annually, and a Capital Development Fee of £2,400 covering investment in facilities and the one-to-one device programme. Tuition fees for 2024/25 range from £8,885 per term (Reception) to £11,010 per term, exclusive of VAT and lunches. From January 2025 onwards, VAT is applied to all fees following government legislation affecting independent schools.
There is no defined catchment area. The school serves internationally mobile families and London residents seeking an IB education. Most pupils who do not relocate internationally transition to Southbank's Westminster campus at the end of Year 6 to continue the IB Middle Years Programme.
Southbank International School Kensington offers a distinctive proposition for families seeking an internationally minded, inquiry-based primary education in central London. As London's first IB World School authorised to deliver all three IB programmes, it provides a coherent educational pathway grounded in global citizenship, critical thinking, and multilingualism. The October 2024 ISI inspection's rare 'significant strength' designation underscores the school's success in creating a nurturing, intellectually stimulating environment where children from nearly 40 nationalities learn together.
The school's strengths lie in its genuinely international character, strong pastoral ethos, and commitment to developing independent, confident learners through the IB Primary Years Programme. Facilities are well-resourced, class sizes are small, and the integration of arts, music (notably the Suzuki programme), and STEAM enhances the breadth of the curriculum. Extracurricular provision is varied and inclusive, and the use of technology is mature and purposeful.
For families comfortable with the IB framework and seeking a globally oriented education, Southbank Kensington is a compelling choice. The non-selective, rolling admissions model accommodates internationally mobile families, and the school's support for English language learners (under Grade 4) is robust. However, the school is not suited to families seeking a traditional English primary curriculum or preparing for 11+ selective entry to UK independent secondary schools, as it does not follow the National Curriculum or emphasise these pathways.
Prospective parents should be aware that the transition to the Westminster campus at age 11 is expected for most pupils, and fees are substantial—approximately £27,000 to £33,000 per year (including VAT from January 2025), plus first-year setup costs exceeding £2,400. Support for special educational needs is available but limited to mainstream provision; families with children requiring significant additional support should discuss suitability in detail before applying.
Ultimately, Southbank Kensington excels at what it sets out to do: nurture internationally minded, curious, and confident young learners within the IB framework. For the right family, it offers a warm, cosmopolitan community and a solid foundation for lifelong learning.
Yes, Southbank International School Kensington is widely regarded as a strong choice for families seeking an internationally minded, inquiry-based primary education. In October 2024, the school received an exceptional ISI inspection report with the rare designation of 'significant strength' for creating conditions where students thrive. The school is London's first IB World School authorised to deliver all three International Baccalaureate programmes and has a well-established reputation for academic rigour, pastoral care, and genuine international diversity, with pupils representing nearly 40 nationalities.
Applications are made entirely online via the school's OpenApply portal at southbank.openapply.com. The school operates rolling admissions, so you can apply at any point in the academic year. Parents or guardians must complete the application form (third-party applications are not accepted), pay a non-refundable £300 application fee (inc. VAT), and submit supporting documents such as references and any relevant educational reports. Applicants from Grade 4 upwards whose first language is not English must complete an online English assessment. The Admissions Committee reviews applications within 7 to 10 working days once all materials are received. For full details, visit the school's admissions page at southbank.org/admissions.
For 2024/25, termly fees range from £8,885 (Reception) to £11,010 per term, exclusive of VAT and lunches. VAT is applied to fees from January 2025 onwards, increasing the annual cost. First-year families also pay a non-refundable application fee of £300, a refundable deposit of £2,000, a Parent Teacher Association fee of £42 annually, and a Capital Development Fee of £2,400. Total annual fees including VAT from January 2025 are approximately £27,000 to £33,000, plus additional first-year costs. For the most current fee information, visit southbank.org/fees.
Southbank Kensington serves children aged 2 to 11 years, from early childhood through to the end of the Primary Years Programme (Grade 5). At the end of Year 6, most pupils who do not relocate internationally transition to Southbank's Westminster campus to continue with the IB Middle Years Programme.
No, Southbank Kensington does not follow the English National Curriculum. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum organised around six global themes. As an independent international school, it does not participate in national Key Stage assessments and does not prepare pupils specifically for UK selective secondary school entry (such as 11+). Families should ensure the IB framework aligns with their educational goals before applying.
Yes, for younger children. The school accepts beginners in English for children under Grade 4 (approximately under 9 years old), as younger learners typically acquire language skills more rapidly with appropriate support. English as an Additional Language (EAL) is available from Kindergarten onwards, and the school currently supports 49 pupils with EAL needs. However, applicants from Grade 4 upwards whose first language is not English must complete an online English assessment, and beginners are not accepted into the Middle Years Programme at the Westminster campus due to the demanding nature of the curriculum.
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