ACS International School Cobham vs Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland
ACS International School Cobham and Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland are both in London, about 26 km apart. Both schools follow an IB curriculum. Published annual fees are £9,950 - 66,780 at ACS International School Cobham and £44,508 - 46,338 at Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland, which puts Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland roughly 18% higher. ACS International School Cobham takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland from 11 to 18. ACS International School Cobham is the larger school, with around 1,300 pupils to Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland's 345. Typical class sizes are 20 at ACS International School Cobham and 16 at Southbank International School - Westminster Campus Portland.
Located in Cobham, Surrey, England (KT11 1BL). The 128-acre ACS Cobham campus sits in the Surrey countryside. It is part of the ACS International Schools group and offers international day and boarding education for students aged 2 to 18.
Location
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Stages
Stages
Lower School (ages 2-10) and Senior School (ages 10-18).
Stages
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School type
School type
The school is an international day and boarding school.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
A diverse international community with 70+ nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) and learning support for students with learning differences.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
England, United Kingdom
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Lower School day runs from about 08:00 to 15:30, with after-school clubs from 15:30 to 18:00; an Extended Day Club is available from 22 April 2025.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
ACS Cobham operates an extensive busing service with door-to-door and shuttle options, a late bus, and the Vectare app for scheduling and tracking; three zones cover the catchment area.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fee
- A non-refundable application fee of £330 (inc. VAT) is payable with each application. Payment of the fee does not guarantee admission.
Enrolment deposit and refunds
- A refundable enrolment deposit of £1,500 is payable after a student has been accepted to reserve a place. The deposit is retained for the duration of enrolment and is returned within three months of termination of the contract, net of any outstanding liabilities (including notice-period liabilities and supplementary charges).
One-off campus / development fee
- A once-only, non-refundable campus/development fee of £1,680 (inc. VAT) is charged on the first tuition fee invoice for each student in Grades K–12.
Tuition fees (per semester and annual amounts) — day students
- Tuition fees are charged per semester (the academic year is divided into two semesters). The published per-semester and annual fees are as follows: - Pre-Scramblers Half Day (Ages 2–3): £4,800 per semester / £9,600 per year. ✝. - Pre-Scramblers Full Day (Ages 2–3): £6,950 per semester / £13,900 per year. ✝. - Scramblers Half Day (Ages 3–4): £4,800 per semester / £9,600 per year. - Scramblers Full Day (Ages 3–4): £6,950 per semester / £13,900 per year. ✝. - Pre-K Half Day (Ages 4–5): £5,700 per semester / £11,400 per year. - Pre-K Full Day (Ages 4–5): £7,800 per semester / £15,600 per year. - Kindergarten (Ages 5–6): £12,900 per semester / £25,800 per year. - Grades 1–2 (Ages 6–8): £14,490 per semester / £28,980 per year. - Grades 3–4 (Ages 8–10): £14,580 per semester / £29,160 per year. - Grades 5–6 (Ages 10–12): £17,100 per semester / £34,200 per year. - Grades 7–8 (Ages 12–14): £17,250 per semester / £34,500 per year. - Grades 9–10 (Ages 14–16): £19,170 per semester / £38,340 per year. - Grade 11 (Ages 16–17): £19,200 per semester / £38,400 per year. (Tuition for Grades 11–12 includes university placement support but excludes external exam and university application fees.) - Grade 12 (Ages 17–18): £19,320 per semester / £38,640 per year. (See note above regarding exam/application fees.)
(✝ Fee figures shown for Scramblers/Pre-Scramblers Full Day indicate the five-days-per-week charge; fees for individual days are available on request.)
Boarding fees (Grades 8–12)
- Boarding is available for Grades 8–12. Tuition fees are additional to boarding fees. Boarding fees include an en-suite room, full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and a weekend activity programme. Temporary boarding (subject to availability) is available at a per-night rate.
- 5‑day boarding (per semester / annual totals shown): - Grade 8: Boarding £10,260 per semester; Tuition £17,250 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £55,020 per year. - Grades 9–10: Boarding £10,260 per semester; Tuition £19,170 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £58,860 per year. - Grade 11: Boarding £10,260 per semester; Tuition £19,200 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £58,920 per year. - Grade 12: Boarding £10,260 per semester; Tuition £19,320 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £59,160 per year.
- 7‑day boarding (per semester / annual totals shown): - Grade 8: Boarding £14,070 per semester; Tuition £17,250 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £62,640 per year. - Grades 9–10: Boarding £14,070 per semester; Tuition £19,170 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £66,480 per year. - Grade 11: Boarding £14,070 per semester; Tuition £19,200 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £66,540 per year. - Grade 12: Boarding £14,070 per semester; Tuition £19,320 per semester; Boarding & Tuition total: £66,780 per year.
- Temporary boarding: £135 (inc. VAT) per student per night, full board, up to a maximum of 45 nights per academic year, subject to availability.
Transport (busing) fees
- Door-to-door (home to school) service — per semester / annual: - Zone 1: Single £1,180 / £2,360; Return £1,830 / £3,660. - Zone 2: Single £1,270 / £2,540; Return £1,950 / £3,900. - Zone 3: Single £1,400 / £2,800; Return £2,160 / £4,320.
- Shuttle service — per semester / annual: - Zone 1: Single £630 / £1,260; Return £870 / £1,740. - Zone 2: Single £670 / £1,340; Return £1,020 / £2,040. - Zone 3: Single £750 / £1,500; Return £1,170 / £2,340.
- Late bus single-journey charges (non‑PM bus users): Zone 1 £6, Zone 2 £7, Zone 3 £8 per journey. Bus fees are provisional and subject to change.
Additional recurring or conditional costs
- External exam fees (charged in addition to tuition): approximately £700 for the full IB Diploma, £125 per AP Standard exam and £150 per AP Capstone exam (charges may change if examining bodies amend their fees). - University application fees: US university application fees vary (typically between $50 and $150 per application); UCAS (UK) charge £27.50 (up to five choices). - Annual IT service fee: £60 (inc. VAT) for Grades 9–12. - Lost iPads: accidental damage is generally covered; lost or misplaced iPads are charged up to £350. Deliberate damage or misuse incurs repair/replacement charges. - Lost or damaged textbooks: charges apply for textbooks/library books lost or damaged beyond fair wear and tear. - Co-curricular activities and trips: some activities and visits incur additional charges; some are included in tuition. - SEN (Level 3) support for moderate needs: charged at £4,500 per year (£2,250 per semester). Services for mild needs are included in tuition.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are issued twice a year (once per semester). For the 2025–2026 academic year the invoicing dates provided are: - 1st semester invoice issue date: 04 June 2025; due date: 18 June 2025. - 2nd semester invoice issue date: 05 November 2025; due date: 19 November 2025. - Any bank charges incurred when making payment are debited to the student's school-fees account. ACS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit-related regulated activities.
Fee payment methods and options
- Accepted payment methods include debit and credit cards, Sterling (GBP) cheque drawn on a UK bank account, and direct payments (BACS, wire transfer, etc.) into the ACS bank account. Payment in US Dollars is accepted via the specified USD bank account after obtaining an exchange rate from the School Fees Office. Quoting the student number is requested when making direct payments. A monthly instalment plan is available for parents paying school fees themselves.
Refunds and returned payments
- The enrolment deposit (£1,500) is refundable and will be returned within three months of contract termination, net of outstanding liabilities. Any other refunds or notice-period liabilities are handled in accordance with the School's fees terms and conditions. Bank charges incurred during payment will be deducted from the paying account and may be recharged to clear the fees account.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Senior School follows a future-forward, international curriculum aligned with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP). Middle School covers English, Mathematics, Languages, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, PSHE, Visual and Performing Arts, and Digital Skills. Upper School (Grades 9–10) requires eight subjects: English, Mathematics, Languages, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education & Health, and two additional subjects. High School (Grades 11–12) offers IBDP or AP, and credits toward a High School Diploma. The High School Diploma is NEASC-accredited and recognized by North American colleges and universities. IBDP and AP qualifications are recognised by leading universities worldwide.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
IBDP results 2025: average 35/45; highest 44/45; 97% pass rate. AP results 2025: 91% of students achieving a score of 3+; average AP score 3.6; 208 AP students.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates go on to leading universities in the UK, the US, and the rest of the world.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Enquiry — Find out what ACS Cobham offers in terms of curriculum and facilities to ensure it is the best fit for your child. We recommend visiting for an Open Day or Personal Tour to explore the campus, meet our academic staff and discuss admissions with the team. You can make an enquiry to begin the process. We operate a rolling admission process, with applications accepted year‑round and students may start at any point in the academic year, subject to availability.
2. Application — You can apply all year around as long as your child has the right to study in the UK. Each application is accompanied by a non‑refundable application fee paid online.
3. Review — Once your online application is completed, it will be assessed by the Admissions Team, taking into account all information provided. We will contact you if any additional documents are required and inform you of the outcome as soon as we can.
4. Admission — If your application is successful, we will contact you with an offer of a place for your child. To secure the place, a non‑refundable enrolment deposit is required, which is set against the second semester tuition/boarding fees. For more details of application fees, deposits and tuition costs, see Fees. Should your child's application be successful, but the grade or programme applied for is at capacity, your child will be waitlisted. When a place becomes available, we will contact you immediately to complete the rest of the admission process.
5. Welcome — Our team will provide you with all the necessary information (cafeteria, transport, school platforms, subject selection, visa compliance, etc.) prior to the first day of school to ensure a smooth start for everyone.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
Bursaries are offered to students with exceptional personal and academic potential who would benefit from an ACS education but whose family circumstances mean that affording full school fees cannot be met. The ACS bursary programme has been suspended for the academic year 2026/2027; details for 2027/2028 will be published in 2026. Applicants must be a UK resident, live within the school's bus catchment area, and have the right to remain; each bursary application is assessed individually. Bursary awards can cover up to 100% of tuition for up to seven years and may include additional costs; the amount is calculated after assessing income and financial assets, with annual review. All bursaries are means-tested.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
If a grade or programme is at capacity, applicants are waitlisted. When a place becomes available, the school contacts families immediately to complete the admission process.
