ACS International School Hillingdon

ACS International School Hillingdon is located at Hillingdon Court, 108 Vine Lane, Hillingdon, UB10 0BE, England. The campus address is used for communications and directions. It is close to Junction 16 of the M25 for transport access.

Lower School (ages 3-10) and Upper School (ages 10-18).

Co-educational day school.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided.

England

Lower School follows a structured timetable with eight periods per day, including a lunch period and outdoor recess.

Extensive busing with shuttle stops and door-to-door services available.

An enquiry-based, international curriculum that blends international standards across the school. Lower School (Pre-K to Grade 4) provides core and specialist subjects taught by dedicated teachers, with one full-time teacher per class and a teaching assistant in Pre-K and Kindergarten; technology is integrated with one-to-one iPads; Forest School and Outdoor Learning are part of learning. The curriculum follows international anchors, including UK Birth to Five Matters and US Common Core, and leads to International Baccalaureate Diploma, US High School Diploma, and US College Board Advanced Placement examinations. Upper School follows a forward-looking, international curriculum preparing students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), Advanced Placement (AP), and the High School Diploma, with the ACS Global Programme and language options in French or Spanish; Grades 11-12 offer IBDP, IBCP, and AP.

Lower School classes have one full-time teacher per class; Pre-K and Kindergarten have a full-time teaching assistant.

In 2025, IBDP results saw 44/45 as the top score with an average of 35 and a 100% pass rate. AP results showed 91% of students gaining at least one 3+ with an average AP score of 3.7 (42 AP students).

Graduates go on to leading universities in the UK and internationally, including institutions such as Imperial College London, University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, New York University and Cornell University, among others.

The Elite Performance Pathway (EPP) supports the most gifted and talented athletes with athletic development, workshops, sports psychology, lifestyle and dual career support, and TASS dual career support.

Wellbeing is integral to ACS Hillingdon, with a professional team of counsellors supporting personal, social, and emotional development through classroom, group, and individual activities. Students have access to age-appropriate counselling services, with short sessions before family involvement when needed. PSHE lessons cover Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World, and Relationships. The Student Wellbeing Triangle and Wellbeing Ambassadors empower students to lead peer-support and wellbeing initiatives. Wellbeing data, including surveys, inform action plans and ACS works with external partners and the Wellbeing Hub to support families and staff.

ACS Hillingdon Upper School is inclusive and supports students with mild to medium learning needs and with exceptionalities. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging applies to students and staff across race, religion, disability, culture, sexuality and nationality. Academic programmes accommodate the needs of students with mild to medium learning needs as well as those with exceptionalities. Support plans are created for students with physical and mental health issues, and DEIB principles are embedded across the school. Inclusive education is embedded across the curriculum.

The Lower School's English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme supports young learners in a welcoming environment to engage with the curriculum and make friends. Early and primary learners learn English in a supportive immersion setting, using their full linguistic repertoire. Specialist EAL Teaching provides personalised support through dedicated specialists who monitor progress. The EAL Programme in Lower School includes small group lessons, trained teachers, Home Language Enrichment (optional after school), in-class support from specialist teachers, and Universal Design for Learning informed by WIDA standards.

Mental health is a priority at ACS Hillingdon. The Wellbeing team provides counselling services with a focus on positive mental health, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines. Counselling supports students individually and in groups and works with families and school staff to promote resilience and wellbeing. Students participate in PSHE and wellbeing activities, and the school uses wellbeing data (including the Warwick- Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales) to drive action plans. The Wellbeing Hub offers resources for students, families, and staff.

Safeguarding is a priority and ACS Hillingdon aims to protect students from harm, bullying, abuse, discrimination, and harassment. Students are encouraged to talk to trusted adults and there are designated safeguarding leads, including Jean Glover for Hillingdon. The ACS Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy informs practice and can be found in School Policies. The safeguarding team includes the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and reporting routes include online reporting via CEOP; Operation Encompass participation and parent communication are in place.

Admissions Process comprises five steps: Enquiry, Application, Review, Admission, Welcome. Enquiry: Visit for Open Day or Personal Tour to explore campus, meet academic staff, and discuss admissions. Application: Apply year-round if the child has the right to study in the UK prior to starting school; a non-refundable application fee is paid online. Review: The admissions committee assesses the online application and may request additional documents; the outcome is communicated as soon as possible. Admission: If successful, a place is offered; a non-refundable enrolment deposit is required and is set against the second semester tuition. Welcome: The team provides information on cafeteria, transport, school platforms, subject selection, and visa compliance prior to the first day to ensure a smooth start. Admissions chances vary by grade; if the grade is at capacity, the child is waitlisted and you will be contacted immediately to complete the remaining steps. Rolling admissions are in place, so applications are accepted year-round and students may start at any point in the academic year (subject to availability). The online application uses a holistic approach, reviewing previous school records, references, student questionnaire answers, and standardised test scores, and may require Educational Psychologist reports or EAL tests where relevant.

Bursaries are offered to students with exceptional personal and academic potential who would benefit from an ACS education but cannot meet full school fees; bursaries are means-tested and require UK residency with the right to remain. The bursary programme is suspended for the 2026/2027 academic year; details of the 2027/2028 schedule will be published in 2026. Bursary awards can cover up to 100% of tuition and may include additional costs; awards are reviewed annually.

If admission is offered but the grade is at capacity, the child is waitlisted, and when a place becomes available you will be contacted immediately to complete the remaining admission steps.