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Stafford International School

Sri Lanka, Colombo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees LKR 450,000 - 660,000
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1500
Type Co-educational
Opened 1986
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, German
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Stafford International School is a day school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, delivering the British National Curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations. The school has been a Cambridge International Examinations center since 2015 and began offering Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL exams in 2019. English is the primary medium of instruction, with Sinhala, Tamil, French and German taught as additional languages. The campus includes an auditorium, indoor cricket nets and a basketball court, and its central Colombo location provides access to a wide range of facilities nearby. The school serves up to 1,100 students, with an average class size of 22 and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10. Stafford maintains a nurturing pastoral care system and emphasizes drama and the arts, including a drama program and annual stage performances. A broad range of sports and clubs, including Interact Club and Model United Nations, support extensive co-curricular life and global awareness.

The Essentials

Stafford International School has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location

37, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.

Stages

Early Years; Years 1 - 4; Years 5 & 6; Middle School; Ordinary Level; Upper School.

Type

Day School

Country affiliation

Sri Lanka

Fees

Annual tuition at Stafford International School ranges from LKR 450,000 to LKR 660,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No fixed application, registration or entrance-fee amount is published in the school's publicly posted fee materials. Parents should confirm current application/registration charges directly with the school's admissions office.

Tuition fees (termly) and estimated annual totals by section

- Junior School (Playgroup to Year 4): termly fee around LKR 150,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 450,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

- Middle School (Years covering roughly ages 10–15 / Form 1–3): termly fee rising to LKR 220,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 660,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

- Sixth Form (Lower Sixth to Upper Sixth / A-levels): termly fee LKR 275,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 825,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are billed on a termly basis and must be paid before the commencement of each term. A full termly fee is charged if a student withdraws during a term.

- A 5% incentive/discount applies to the termly fee if payment is made before the due date shown on the invoice; once the due date passes the discount is no longer valid and the full fee is payable.

- The school's management reserves the right to revise fees and fees are subject to change.

Boarding fees

- Stafford International School operates as a day school and does not publish or offer boarding/residential provision; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and inclusions

- The stated termly fee is described as inclusive of photocopying charges and other extracurricular activities. Additional costs commonly associated with schooling (uniforms, textbooks, specialised equipment, examination entry fees, transport) are not listed as included and are not itemised in the school's public fee notes.

- No published single-line prices for uniforms, textbooks, transport or exam-entry charges were located in the school's publicly posted materials. Independent Sri Lankan school guides note that schools commonly charge separately for uniforms, excursions, exam entries and transport.

Refund, withdrawal and re‑entry charges

- Admission fee and term fee payments are non-refundable.

- Withdrawal notice: 90 days' written notice (normally one full term) is required prior to a student leaving; failure to give this notice will render the following term's fee payable. A full term's fee is charged if withdrawal occurs mid-term.

- Re‑joining charges: if a student re-joins after one year the school will charge 50% of the admission fee; if re-joining after two years or more, 100% of the admission fee will be charged.

Fee payment options

- The school's public materials do not list specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, cheque) or a detailed payment gateway. Independent Sri Lankan school guides report that some international schools in Colombo use online school-payment platforms such as MyFees.lk to manage payments; this has been reported in third-party school guides and listings. Parents commonly use bank transfer or card payments where the school or payment platform supports them, but specific supported methods should be confirmed with the school.

Brief summary of findings and limits of published information

- The only per-section fee figures published in the school's posted materials are labelled for the 2024–2025 academic year: Junior School ~LKR 150,000 per term; Middle School up to LKR 220,000 per term; Sixth Form LKR 275,000 per term. The school's standard terms-and-conditions document publishes payment timing, a 5% early-payment discount, non-refundable admission/term fees, 90-day withdrawal notice, and re-entry charging rules. Specific, itemised charges (application/registration amounts, uniform prices, exam-entry fees, transport fees, and explicit payment-method instructions) are not published in the school's publicly posted materials that were reviewed.
Academics

Stafford International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE.

Curriculum

Edexcel and Cambridge Curricula; Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations; Cambridge International Examinations center since 2015; British Curriculum Education introduced in Sri Lanka in 1986.

Student Teacher Ratio

Teacher to student ratio 1:10; average class size 22.

Exam Results

In 2022, 63% of A-Level grades were A/A; in IGCSE, 50% were A/A.

Higher Education Progression

Recent university destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Harvard; in 2022 a Head Boy received a full scholarship to Harvard; other students have offers from NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai.

Gifted and Talented

The Sixth Form Scholarship program recognises excellence across Academic Scholarships, Sports Scholarships, and Speech & Drama Scholarships; scholarships can cover up to 100% of day fees; candidates may apply for up to two scholarships; awards are based on performance and potential.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Wellbeing is central to Stafford International School; every student is supported to feel safe, valued, and respected. The school actively manages mental health and wellbeing to help students engage in academic and social activities and develop resilience. A Positive Education Programme blends academic learning with character and wellbeing development. The programme equips students with life skills to cope with everyday pressures and pursue their goals. Wellbeing education focuses on six elements: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. Pastoral care and the house system support ongoing personal development and provide a channel of communication with staff and families.

Mental Wellbeing

Stafford International School prioritizes mental health and wellbeing for all students. The Positive Education Programme blends academics with character and wellbeing development. The six elements of wellbeing are Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. A strong pastoral care system provides tutor support and a student wellbeing team to monitor progress and wellbeing. The student support team includes a Whole of School Counsellor who collaborates with tutors to support students academically, professionally, and personally. The House system provides structure for mindful reflection and resilience.

Safeguarding

All teaching staff have regular safeguarding training to spot signs and respond to concerns. A team of Child Protection Officers guides staff and serves as a first point of contact for pupils seeking help. Stafford maintains a Child Protection Policy to govern safeguarding practices. The Child Protection Team includes Mr Northcott, Ms De Silva, Ms Avanthi, Ms Herft, Ms De Mel, and Ms Ramanayake. The safeguarding framework ensures all children feel safe and secure at school.

Admissions

Admissions

Admissions is open year‑round. Visits from prospective parents and pupils are welcome, and the admissions team is available to help families make an informed choice. Due to oversubscription in many year groups, the Early Years admission process (Nursery 3+ to Year 1 5+ years) has been moved forward to October–November–December of the preceding year; for joining in September 2026, the admission process will take place in October–December 2025. Applications should be submitted early. Stage 01: An admissions form must be completed by the parents, and documents required include a copy of the student's most recent school report and a passport copy (which will be photocopied and returned) or a birth certificate. Stage 02: All students from Form 1 upwards sit entrance tests in English and Mathematics; Reception and KG have an interview with the Head of Primary. Admission is based on performance in tests, prior reports, and interviews with the Head of School, with holistic consideration of character and extra‑curricular achievements. Stage 03: A one‑on‑one meeting with the principal during the school visit, where the principal will discuss the student's interests and answer questions.

Scholarships

The Sixth Form Scholarship recognises excellence and may provide up to 100% remission of school day fees. Honorary scholarships recognise achievement in the same way but carry no financial benefit. Candidates may apply for up to two scholarships, and the total combined value cannot exceed 100% of the school day fees. Scholarships are awarded for the two years of the Sixth Form (Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth) and are reviewed annually; they may be withdrawn if the pupil ceases to demonstrate continued commitment. Academic Scholarships (16+) require a recent school report and candidates are expected to be predicted high grades in IGCSEs; an Academic Scholar is described as intelligent, interested and interesting and should contribute to the intellectual life of the school. The 16+ Scholarship involves examination in three upper‑school subjects and may lead to interviews; past papers may be used. Sport Scholarships (16+) require a pre‑assessment and a confidential report from the Head of the candidate's current school; external candidates must meet the academic entry requirements and sit the normal entrance examinations; assessment is tailored to the sport. Speech and Drama Scholarships (16+) require a letter of application with a resume, a recording of the presentation, and may include an audition; external candidates must meet academic entry requirements and sit entrance examinations; a confidential report from the Head of the current school is required. Timetable details and deadlines are provided on the scholarship pages, and applications can be downloaded from the school site.

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