Sri Lanka, Colombo
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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.
Stafford International School has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.
37, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
Early Years; Years 1 - 4; Years 5 & 6; Middle School; Ordinary Level; Upper School.
Day School
Sri Lanka
Annual tuition at Stafford International School ranges from LKR 450,000 to LKR 660,000 for 2026/27.
Stafford International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE.
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.
Teacher to student ratio 1:10; average class size 22.
In 2022, 63% of A-Level grades were A/A; in IGCSE, 50% were A/A.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.