The British International School of Kuala Lumpur vs The Alice Smith School - Primary Campus

	T The British International School of Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	The Alice Smith School - Primary Campus Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year MYR 56,395 - 122,110	Fees / year MYR 53,730 - 93,480
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,200	Pupils 733
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 1946
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location BSKL is situated at No. 1, Changkat Bukit Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This residential suburb lies to the west of Kuala Lumpur city centre. The school is accessible via public transport; the nearest MRT & LRT station is TTDI, approximately a 19-minute walk away. Several bus routes, including T811, 780, PJ06, and PJ05, serve the area, with the closest bus stops being Sjkc Puay Chai 2 and Centre Point Bandar Utama, both within an 8-minute walk.	Location The Alice Smith School's Primary Campus is located on Jalan Bellamy, a pleasant, leafy area adjacent to the old Royal Palace. Its central location means it is well-served by public transport, with various bus routes and proximity to train and monorail stations, providing connectivity across Kuala Lumpur. The surrounding area is an established neighbourhood, allowing for relatively easy access to central amenities, residential areas, and other parts of the city.
Stages	Stages BSKL offers education from Pre-Nursery (age 2) through to Sixth Form (age 18). The school is structured into three sections: Lower School, Junior School, and Secondary School.	Stages The Primary Campus is structured into Early Years (preschool to Year 2) and Junior (Year 3 to Year 6).
School type	School type BSKL is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities.	School type The school is a co-educational institution and does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support BSKL offers tailored support for students with additional learning needs through its Learning Support Department. This includes individualized education plans and access to a dedicated sensory room designed to aid emotional regulation and focus.	Additional learning support The school provides learning support for students at the Primary Campus through its dedicated Learning Support Unit (LSU) department. This team of Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) work with students, teachers, and parents to create individual education support plans. Support can include one-on-one lessons or small group withdrawals. The Primary Campus specifically offers in-house access to professional services such as a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and specialist dyslexic support, though spaces for these programmes are limited and may incur additional costs. Progress is carefully tracked and reported to parents termly.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the British National Curriculum and is affiliated with the United Kingdom.	Country affiliation The Alice Smith School has a strong affiliation with the United Kingdom. It is recognised as the first British international school in Malaysia, established in 1946.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation BSKL has no religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school does not have an affiliation with a particular religion
School day structure	School day structure For Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Reception), the school day starts at 7:45 am with a soft start/drop-off period, and lessons begin at 8:30 am. The day ends at 2:10 pm, except on Fridays when it concludes at 1:30 pm. Primary students (Years 1–6) also start at 8:30 am and finish at 3:10 pm, with a 2:00 pm finish on Fridays. Secondary students (Years 7–13) have registration at 7:45 am, lessons commencing at 8:30 am, and the school day ending at 3:10 pm, or 2:00 pm on Fridays.	School day structure The school day runs from 7:40 AM to 2:20 PM for most, with Early Years having a soft start (7:40 AM - 8:15 AM). Break is 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM. Lunch varies by age group (Early Years: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM; Years 1-2: 12:20 PM - 1:20 PM; Years 3-6: 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM)
Bus service details	Bus service details BSKL offers a school bus service operated by Haanusha Travel & Tour Agency Sdn Bhd. The service provides daily pick-up and drop-off for students, with routes covering various areas in Kuala Lumpur. The annual roundtrip fee is RM6,900, while the termly roundtrip fee is RM2,300.	Bus service details The school offers a school bus service covering most major residential areas in Kuala Lumpur. This service is managed by a transport provider. Parents can utilise the Bus Buddy app to view their child's bus routes, timings, and track location, as well as manage schedules. While not a door-to-door service, common stop points are established. Morning pick-ups typically occur between 6:30 AM and 7:10 AM. Buses for normal dismissal depart around 3:00 PM, with later departures for optional after-school activities.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & Enrolment Fees Application Fee: RM 1,500 per application (non-refundable) Enrolment Fee: RM 18,000 per family (non-refundable, but partial return possible with 3 months' notice) Annual Tuition Fees Early Years Centre Pre-nursery: RM 56,395 per year Nursery: RM 56,395 per year Reception: RM 68,180 per year Primary School Year 1: RM 69,255 per year Year 2: RM 90,240 per year Years 3-6: RM 90,240 per year Secondary School Years 7-9: RM 102,190 per year Years 10-11: RM 120,025 per year Years 12-13: RM 122,110 per year Termly Payment Breakdown For families who prefer to pay per term (3 terms per year) Pre-nursery & Nursery: Reception: RM 24,702 per term Year 1: RM 32,343 per term Years 2-6: RM 32,343 per term Years 7-9: RM 35,856 per term Years 10-11: RM 42,113 per term Years 12-13: RM 42,845 per term Payment Options -Bank Transfer/TT -Online Credit/Debit Card (Processing Fees: Local cards: 1.55%, International cards: 3.3%) -International Payments (via Flywire) -JomPay -In-Person Payment	Fee details Application and Enrollment Fees - Application Fee: RM1,500 (payable upon submission) - Enrollment Fee: RM15,000 (non-refundable, RM5,000 for Pre-School/Reception with additional RM10,000 when entering Year 1) - Association Membership: RM20 (parents must join Alice Smith Schools Association) Termly School Fees by Year Group - Pre-school (normal day): RM 17,910 per term, RM 53,730 per year - Pre-school (extended day): RM 22,090 per term, RM 66,270 per year - Reception: RM 23,060 per term, RM 69,270 per year - Years 1-2: RM 29,690 per term, RM 89,070 per year - Years 3-6: RM 31,160 per term, RM 93,480 per year Deposits and Additional Fees - Parent Deposit: RM15,000 (Pre-school/Reception), RM24,000 (Year 1 onwards) - refundable with full term's notice - EAL Programme: RM4,500 per term (additional fee) Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Fees billed termly (3 terms per academic year) - Payment due by first day of each term - School fees include all books, materials, and resources Sibling Discounts - Available only for families with 3+ children attending simultaneously - Third child: 6% discount on school fees - Fourth and subsequent children: 10% discount Payment Methods - Cheque - Telegraphic transfer and online transfer - JomPAY (Malaysian banks only) - Flywire (international transfers only) - Cash payments no longer accepted at campus Refund Policy - All fees are non-refundable unless specifically indicated - Parent deposits refundable with proper notice when child leaves school
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is scheduled for all Primary students with year-group specific timings: Early Years 12:00–13:00; Years 1–2 12:20–13:20; Years 3–6 11:40–12:20.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The Alice Smith Schools Association (the Association) was incorporated in 1950 as a company limited by guarantee. The School is governed by the Council of Governors, composed of 15–18 governors including trustee-nominated and appointed governors and the PTA Chair. The Association is a not-for-profit organisation; all resources are directed to the development and well-being of its students. The Association holds an AGM and files audited financial statements in accordance with the Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards, the International Financial Reporting Standards and the Companies Act 2016 in Malaysia.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details BSKL follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to Sixth Form. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students study a broad range of subjects including English, mathematics, science, geography, history, drama, music, art, graphic design, digital technology, and physical education. Students also select two additional languages. In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students prepare for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at age 16. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students pursue A-Level qualifications, choosing from a variety of subjects to specialize in their areas of interest.	Curriculum details In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Preschool to Year 2, ages 3-7), the curriculum focuses on play-based learning, following the British Curriculum. For Years 3 to 6 (ages 7-11), the Primary curriculum uses flexible, cross-curricular units to connect subjects to the real world, encouraging student-initiated questions.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar View document	Academic calendar View document
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning At the Primary Campus, the school places a strong emphasis on fostering social and emotional development through direct, face-to-face interaction, particularly in the Early Years. The learning environment is designed to be physically and emotionally safe, encouraging student agency where children take ownership of their learning through play-based exploration and discovery. Teachers actively create opportunities for children to express themselves, build confidence, and develop foundational social-emotional competence. The "soft drop-off" option for younger students also helps create a sense of comfort and connection between home and school.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides support for students with Special Educational Needs. The Learning Support Unit (LSU) assesses applications on a case-by-case basis to ensure the school can meet individual student needs. The LSU team assists with various needs, including dyslexia and attention difficulties, primarily through in-class support and small group withdrawals. The Primary Campus also has direct access to a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and specialist dyslexic support, working collaboratively with external agencies when needed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The Primary School provides support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) at the Primary Campus through its Multilingual Learner (MLL) programme within the Learning Support Unit. Following an assessment, which may include an interview, students requiring EAL support can access personalised assistance. This enhanced language programme offers one-to-one or small focused group withdrawal sessions and in-class support. The MLL teacher regularly monitors and assesses student progress. This additional support is provided during the school day and incurs an extra cost to parents.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing At the Primary Campus, the school focuses on fostering a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, particularly for younger children. The emphasis is on building foundational social and emotional skills through positive interactions and a nurturing atmosphere.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding The Alice Smith School is deeply committed to safeguarding and child protection. Its policies and procedures are aligned with UK Government guidance and international standards, ensuring the welfare of all children is paramount. The school implements robust safeguarding practices, including rigorous safer recruitment processes for all staff and adults working on site, and conducts appropriate background checks. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Child Protection Team are in place with clear roles, ensuring all concerns are reported and addressed promptly. All school staff receive regular training on child protection, and students are educated on how to keep themselves safe. This commitment to safeguarding extends to all school-arranged activities, whether on or off campus.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy View document
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The Primary Campus at Jalan Bellamy is adjacent to the former Royal Palace and has grown into a modern, spacious and flexible centre of learning with generous green spaces for play. The campus provides purpose-built facilities designed to support a positive, modern and stimulating learning environment. The Jubilee Centre features a ground-level dining hall with capacity for over 200 and an open-air, sunken play area; the upper floors include a parents' deli, administration offices, transport and catering offices, large meeting rooms, the uniform shop and a roof garden for educational purposes. Other facilities include Early Years classrooms with shared indoor play areas and outdoor spaces, Key Stage 1 and 2 classrooms, ICT suites (Windows and Apple Mac), two libraries with dedicated staff, a Balinese Garden, an Art Studio, a Science classroom, a Design Technology workshop, soundproofed music rooms and an assembly hall. A multi-million three-storey sports centre, Smurthwaite Gym, an all-weather artificially-turfed sports field, a swimming pool and a basketball court support physical education.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Smurthwaite Gym is a multi-storey sports centre on the campus. The facility includes an all-weather artificial turf sports field suitable for outdoor activities. A swimming pool is available for lessons and recreational use. A basketball court supports team games and PE activities. These spaces underpin a comprehensive physical education and sport programme for students.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities ICT suites (Windows and Apple Mac) support digital learning. The campus has two libraries with dedicated staff to support reading and research. An Art Studio provides space for visual arts and creativity, while a Science classroom enables practical experiments. A Design Technology workshop supports making and problem solving. An assembly hall serves as a venue for events and whole-school gatherings.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment opportunities, experiences and events are offered across the Primary program. Specialist teaching is provided in Languages (Mandarin, French or Bahasa Malaysia) and in PE & sport, swimming, music, art and computing as part of the curriculum. The English National Curriculum is delivered with an international setting and the program emphasizes global citizenship and character development.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History The Alice Smith School was founded in 1946 by Alice Fairfield-Smith, an experienced teacher and biology graduate from Harvard University, who sought to provide a suitable education for her own daughter in Kuala Lumpur. Starting in her home, the school quickly grew, leading to the formation of The Alice Smith Schools Association (ASSA) in 1950. ASSA, a not-for-profit educational foundation registered in Malaysia, took over the administration, placing responsibility with a Council of Governors. This unique ownership structure ensures that all resources and any surpluses are reinvested directly into the school for the benefit of the students. The Primary Campus was opened in 1955 and had significant expansions over the years.
Community	Community —	Community The Alice Smith School fosters a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and unity. With students representing over 50 nationalities, the school regularly hosts cultural events such as the annual "International Day." This event provides an opportunity for students, parents, and staff to celebrate various cultures, languages, and traditions through colourful displays, traditional dishes, and activities. The strong community spirit is also evident through alumni engagement and various school-wide events listed on the school calendar, encouraging participation from all members of the Alice Smith family.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The Alice Smith School benefits from an active and diverse Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which plays an integral role in enhancing school life and fostering community. The PTA Committee, comprising parents and staff, meets regularly to support school initiatives and organise events. They manage Class Rep (for Primary) and Year Rep (for Secondary) WhatsApp groups to help new and existing parents connect. Common events organised by the PTA include the Back to School Social, Halloween events, Christmas Bazaars, Staff Appreciation days, Spring/Summer Fairs, Parent Coffee Mornings, and Quiz Nights. These events aim to strengthen community ties, create a welcoming atmosphere, and raise funds for school improvements and local charities.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The Primary Campus is located at 2 Jalan Bellamy, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the phone number +603 2148 3674. The school has two campuses, with the Secondary Campus at 3 Jalan Equine, Taman Equine, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia, and the note that the campuses are about 20 minutes apart.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Primary curriculum emphasizes a broad, balanced learning program that includes art, music, and drama as part of weekly subjects.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The Language Programme for the Primary phase includes French, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin, supporting multilingual development from Year 1 to Year 6.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The Primary experience includes time for language practice, reading, writing, and collaborative activities that foster discussion and teamwork within a British curriculum framework.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school highlights a safeguarding-focused environment and a community-oriented culture as part of its daily practice.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school follows an Intent, Implementation, and Impact model for its Primary curriculum, aiming to enable all students to flourish and thrive through a clearly mapped knowledge, skills, and vocabulary progression.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Across Key Stages 1 and 2, English, maths, science, computing, music, PSHE, wellbeing, languages, humanities, art & design and PE/swimming are taught weekly, supporting well-rounded development.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Languages offered to primary students include Mandarin, French and Bahasa Malaysia (specialist teaching in the early years). In the secondary program, languages available are Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, French and Spanish, reflecting the school's emphasis on language learning across the full age range.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The Primary Campus provides language study as part of its program, with specialist teaching in Mandarin, French or Bahasa Malaysia for Years 1–2; English is used for instruction and learning across the primary curriculum; additional language exploration occurs in the broader school program including secondary.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards COBIS Beacon Status Awards (June 2024): The school was awarded two prestigious Beacon Status Awards for "Ethos & Values" and "Student Leadership in the School." These awards recognise unparalleled excellence in adhering to COBIS standards and a commitment to sharing best practices with other schools worldwide. Spear's Schools Index 2025 (March 2025): Alice Smith School earned a place among the "Top 100 Private Schools Globally" and was ranked "one of the best in Asia" in the Spear's Schools Index, recognising its world-class education and holistic student development. International School Awards 2021 - Winner, Inclusion Category (August 2021): The school won for its "KLASS Student-Support Programme," which empowers students to lead on in-class support, demonstrating an outstanding initiative in fostering an inclusive learning environment. Independent Schools of the Year - Finalist (British International School of the Year category - 2020, 2021, and shortlisted again for 2022): Alice Smith School has been consistently recognised as a finalist in this prestigious award, which celebrates the success stories of independent schools and British schools overseas in the UK. International School Awards 2019 - Winner, Pastoral Initiative Category: This award recognised the school's excellence in pastoral care, highlighting its commitment to student wellbeing. Eco Schools Bronze Award: The Primary Campus Eco Club earned this award for its hard work and dedication to making the school more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations British School Overseas (BSO) Status (Department for Education, London): Alice Smith School is accredited as a British School Overseas, indicating that it meets the standards required for schools in England. This provides assurance about the quality of the British education offered. They were graded as 'outstanding' in their 2019 report. Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) Founding Member: Being a founding member of FOBISIA indicates the school's long-standing commitment to high-quality British education and collaboration with other leading British international schools across Asia. Council of International Schools (CIS) Member: Membership in CIS reflects the school's dedication to high-quality international education, promoting global citizenship and continuous improvement through a peer-driven accreditation process. Independent Schools Council (ISC) Member: This membership connects Alice Smith School with a network of independent schools in the UK, often implying adherence to a set of educational and operational standards recognised within the independent school sector. East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) Member: EARCOS membership highlights the school's engagement with a community of international schools in East Asia, fostering professional development and collaboration among educators in the region. Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Membership: The Primary Campus Principal's membership with IAPS means the school has been recognised as meeting the quality standards for prestigious prep schools, making it the first and only school in Malaysia to achieve this kitemark of quality. Ministry of Education's 5-Star Quality Standards Award for Private Education Institutions (SKIPS): Both the Primary and Secondary Campuses received this prestigious award, which is the highest possible rating from the Ministry of Education in Malaysia, affirming the school's high quality standards.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Schedule a tour. You can arrange an in-person visit to the campus in Kuala Lumpur or opt for a virtual tour if you're unable to visit in person. This provides an opportunity to experience the school's environment and ask any preliminary questions. 2. Complete the online application. Submit the application form along with the required documents, which include your child's passport or Malaysian IC card, recent school reports (in English), and any relevant medical or additional learning needs documentation. An application fee is also required at this stage. 3. Assessment and interview. Depending on your child's age, they will be invited to participate in an age-appropriate assessment. For Early Years, this involves an in-class taster session or an informal online interview. Primary applicants may take a writing test and have an interview with the Head of Primary. Secondary applicants will sit a computerised assessment and may be interviewed by the Head of Secondary. 4. Offer and acceptance. If your child is offered a place, you will receive a formal offer letter. To accept, you'll need to sign and return the enrolment agreement and pay the enrolment fee. Offers are typically made within 7–10 working days after the assessment.	Admissions Consider attending an open house or school tour. For a deeper understanding of the school's environment and facilities, parents are encouraged to arrange a visit. At the Primary Campus, tours are typically held weekly with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Complete the online application form. The first formal step involves submitting a comprehensive online application. This requires providing necessary documents such as your child's birth certificate, recent school reports, and passport copies for both the child and parents. After submission, you should receive an email acknowledgment. Participate in an assessment. All applicants are required to complete an assessment, which varies depending on the child's age. This assessment helps the school determine if they can meet the student's needs within their age-appropriate class. For non-English first language speakers, a short interview may be conducted to assess English proficiency. Receive and accept an offer. If your child is successful and a place is available in the relevant year group, the school will issue a formal offer letter detailing the fees and terms. To secure the place, parents must accept the offer and pay the indicated fees by the stated deadline before the student begins school.
Scholarships	Scholarships BSKL offers Sixth Form scholarships to both current and incoming Year 12 students. These scholarships are designed to support high-achieving students entering the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13). Applicants are typically required to submit a cover letter expressing interest, school reports, and references. The selection process may include assessments and interviews.	Scholarships The school does not offer scholarships for the Primary Campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist BSKL operates a rolling admissions policy, allowing students to join at any time during the academic year, subject to availability. If a year group is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list. The admissions team will contact families when a place becomes available.	Waitlist When an application is received and assessed, if a place is not immediately available in the child's age-appropriate year group, the applicant will be placed in this "waiting pool." The assessment process determines whether a child is suitable for an offer of a place or for placement in this pool. Offers from the waiting pool are made when a vacancy arises. It is important to note that placement in the waiting pool is not a guarantee of a place, but rather an indication that the child is deemed suitable should an opening occur. Assessments remain valid for twelve months, though follow-up assessments may be required if a place is not taken up within that timeframe.
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