ACS International School Cobham vs The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School

	A ACS International School Cobham London, United Kingdom	T The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School London, United Kingdom
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year £9,950 - 66,780	Fees / year £20,640 - 23,985
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 11 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,300	Pupils 146
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 14
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1975	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 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 The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School is located at Maple Court, Queens Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP13 6AQ. It sits by the Rye on London Road in High Wycombe. The school serves students aged 11 to 18.
Stages	Stages Lower School (ages 2-10) and Senior School (ages 10-18).	Stages Ages 11 to 18; secondary and sixth form
School type	School type The school is an international day and boarding school.	School type Independent Grammar School
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix A diverse international community with 70+ nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) and learning support for students with learning differences.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England, United Kingdom	Country affiliation England
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
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 —
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 —
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 Application fees - No separate application, registration, acceptance deposit, or non‑refundable application fee is published in the school's Schedule of Charges for admissions. Tuition fees (per term and calculated annual total) - Middle Years Programme (MYP): £6,880 per term. Annual total (three terms): £20,640. - Diploma Programme (DP / Sixth Form): £7,995 per term. Annual total (three terms): £23,985. - Programme-year mapping: the MYP covers the school's Years 7–11 intake and the DP covers the Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is charged termly (three academic terms per year) at the per‑term rates listed above. Monthly payment plans are available via an external School Fee Plan; these can be arranged through the school's admissions/fees administration. Specific payment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, and billing particulars are set out in the school's Terms & Conditions. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school; no boarding fees are published. Other costs and charges - The published Schedule of Charges lists only the termly tuition rates above and does not itemise separate charges for uniform, exam entry fees, trips and visits, school lunches, transport, extracurricular clubs, or specialist resources. Parents should expect that additional optional or compulsory charges for exams, trips, uniforms, meals or activities can be applied and that full particulars are recorded in the school's Terms & Conditions. Refund information - Detailed refund and fee‑adjustment provisions (for example, refunds on withdrawal, cancellation, or overpayment) are contained within the school's Terms & Conditions; the published Schedule of Charges indicates that those particulars apply to the charges above. Fee payment options - The published material confirms availability of monthly payment plans through the School Fee Plan. Specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, direct debit, debit/credit card) are not itemised in the Schedule of Charges; particulars of acceptable payment methods and how to set up instalment plans are provided in the school's fees administration and Terms & Conditions. If you will place this text into an external database, copy the text exactly as shown; the figures above are the published per‑term and calculated annual amounts for the school's MYP and DP tuition and the other items state what is (and is not) published against those charges.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
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 The Chalfonts offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, including the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11–16 and the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16–18, and is an official IB World School. The IB curriculum covers Language and Literature; Language Acquisition (French and Spanish); Mathematics; Sciences; Individuals and Societies; Arts; Physical and Health Education; and Design. The Diploma Programme components include the six subject groups, plus Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Maximum class size is 14 students per class.
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 2025 IB Diploma results: 100% pass rate; average points 33.2; 98% of students achieved grades A–C in Theory of Knowledge and 88% achieved A–C in the Extended Essay.
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 Leavers' destinations include the University of Oxford; the University of Edinburgh; the University of Warwick; Paris School of Business; the University of Bath; the University of Sheffield; the University of Southampton; and the Ministry of Defence.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
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 1. Book a Personal Tour or attend an Open Day to experience the school firsthand. A personal tour can be arranged by completing the admissions form, and an Admissions Team member will contact you to schedule the visit. Open Days are held to give families an overview of the school, facilities, and learning approach. To reserve a place, fill out the online form on the Open Days or Personal Tours & Visits pages. 2. Request a Prospectus to learn more about the school and admissions steps. The Prospectus provides information on the IB Programme, entry points, and how to apply. After you submit the request, the Admissions Team will contact you to discuss next steps and arrange any follow-up conversations. 3. Enter your child's date of birth to discover the key steps to joining us. The entry points correspond to different year groups and registration processes. Your child can join us at any time if there is a place available in their year group. Explore each entry point to understand the joining process for your year group. 4. When a place is available, your child can join at any time. The joining process is guided by the selected entry point and may vary by year group. Explore each entry point to understand the specific steps required for your year group. 5. The Admissions Team will follow up to discuss next steps and ongoing communications. After you engage with a Open Day, personal tour, or prospectus request, the team will be in contact to discuss next steps and answer questions.
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 —
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.	Waitlist —
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