Southbank International School Kensington
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary
PUPILS
160
AGES
2 - 11
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Other independent school

How Does The School Perform?

Excellent
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Independent Inspection
Report
(03/12/2021)
Full Report - All Reports
PREP

Independent preparatory schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum or submit test results to the Department for Education so there is no individual school performance data or star rating.

Visit the school's website to learn more about their unique curriculum, policies on testing and common leaver destinations (a good indicator of pupil progress). See our About page for information on Choosing A Prep School.

Day
Boarding Type
£6,410
to
£12,380
Day Fees Per Term

Leaver Destinations

View

School Video

School Prospectus

36-38 Kensington Park Road
London
W11 3BU
+44 (0) 20 3890 1969

See News and Open Days from Southbank International School Kensington

School Description

Southbank International School has three main campuses in the heart of London. These can be found in Kensington, Hampstead and Westminster. Children aged between 2 and 11 will attend one of the Primary Years Programme campuses, in either Kensington or Hampstead. Our Kensington campus is a warm and friendly setting in beautiful Notting Hill focusing on the Primary Years Programme. It serves the age range 2 to 11 as an international primary school. Students take the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and transfer to the Westminster campus at age 11. The PYP age groups are equivalent to pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school, junior school or preparatory school in other education systems. Southbank International School uses London as a classroom – taking full advantage of the cultural riches of the city. As part of each unit of inquiry, teachers look for opportunities to maximise learning in context, visiting cultural sites, galleries, museums, London parks and wildlife centres. The Kensington campus has children from almost 40 different nationalities and is noted for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. English is the language of instruction, with Spanish as the school’s second language, taught from Kindergarten upwards. English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered from Kindergarten upwards. As a leading International Baccalaureate School in London, Southbank attracts very well-qualified and internationally experienced teachers. Admission is based on previous school performance, reports and good references, as well as consideration of the compatibility of the student’s profile for the academic and social aspects of the Primary Years Programme.

Southbank International School Kensington Parent Reviews



Average Parent Rating


“An Amazing School”


Southbank Kensington is an amazing school, due to the fantastic staff and school community. The environment is very kind and caring for the children, while at the same time providing an excellent education.
“Highly Recommend”


Fantastic curriculum, engaged teachers, personal attention to the children, principal and every member of staff knows every child which is really unusual.
“Happy and inquisitive pupils”


My children have developed into really happy, inquisitive, hard-working kids, and I really do believe that’s a result of the education they have had at Southbank – Jacqui, parent of two Southbank students.
“Brilliant boost for my children's self-esteem”


Southbank is totally different from what I expected. The teachers are encouraging children all day long to be themselves, to have self-esteem – to speak out loud, to be nice to others and to take action. When children hear this outside their home, they think it’s right; they believe it. Patricia, parent of Southbank students
“Fantastic teamwork”


The teamwork between the teachers and students makes for a fantastic experience for the student and their family. Highly recommended.
Your rating:
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News, Photos and Open Days from Southbank International School Kensington

Last update: 01 August 2023
INFORMATION MORNINGS AND PERSONAL TOURS

 

To discover everything Southbank has to offer, we regularly host information mornings throughout the academic year. This is the best way to get a feel for what makes Southbank so special.


Our information mornings give you and your child an opportunity to meet and hear from the Principal, view our excellent facilities, talk to current students and teachers, find out more about the International Baccalaureate and ask any questions you have about the school and our admissions process.

We also offer personal tours led by our Admissions Managers. To book, please  contact us on +44 (0)20 3890 1969 

Virtual Tours of all our campuses are also available to gain an initial insight into what to expect when you arrive.  View virtual tour: https://www.southbank.org/information-mornings-and-personal-tours/#virtual-tours

We look forward to welcoming you to  Southbank International School.

 

Book an Information Morning or a Personal Tour
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMME (2-5 YEARS)

 

As part of our IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), we offer our Early Childhood curriculum for children aged 2-5 years.

Through inquiry-based learning and play, it aims to engage and stimulate young students and nurture their academic, personal and social development.

We encourage our Early Childhood students to explore, investigate and play through activities chosen by them and activities initiated by an adult. To support learning through play, our classroom environments are set up so students can move freely around clearly defined areas for reading, writing, art, construction, imaginative play, science and mathematics. These are situated both indoors and outdoors.

More about the Early Childhood programme
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (5-11 YEARS)

Students are encouraged to become: inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, and to be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective. They develop these attributes within the classroom, during Town Meetings (assemblies), in the playground, and while participating in Southbank’s many extracurricular activities.

The PYP is all about inquiry: the process through which a learner moves from his or her current level of understanding to a new and deeper level. Our students will be:

- Exploring, wondering and questioning

- Collecting data and reporting findings

- Taking and defending a position

- Using critical thinking skills to understand a concept

- Making and testing theories

- Experimenting and playing with possibilities

- Solving problems in a variety of ways

By using inquiry-based learning, the PYP engages and challenges students who have many diverse perspectives, values, cultural backgrounds, and languages. Southbank is committed to a developmental approach. This means that students may progress through the programme at different rates

More about the Primary Years Programme
MIDDLE YEAR PROGRAMME AND IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME AT OUR WESTMINSTER CAMPUS (11-18 YEARS)

Southbank students attending our Kensington and Hampstead campuses go on to study at our Westminster campus from Grade 6. 

Southbank Westminster offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) with students ranging in age from 11 to 18 years old. It represents 70 nationalities.

The Middle Years Programme (11-15 yrs) shares the PYP's commitment to learning through inquiry and continues to develop attributes of the IB learner profile. The MYP emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world.

The Diploma Programme (15-18 yrs) encourages students to ask challenging questions, develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture, and develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures. It prepares students for the next stage in their education and the qualification is widely-recognised by the world's leading universities.

At Southbank, we foster the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement - essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.

 

More about the Middle Years Programme
Meet the Head: Siobhan McGrath

Siobhan McGrath has taught for 23 years in New Zealand and London. She has taught every age from 5 to 18, and has been Executive Principle at Southbank and Principal of Kensington since September 2013. Her predominant school interests are in assessment, teacher training and CPD.

Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?

I used to teach my teddy bears and dolls. I arranged them into an imaginary classroom and taught them how to read and write using a small blackboard and chalk.

What achievement are you most proud of as Head?

Always making sure that there is an excellent balance between focusing on teaching academic subjects and ensuring students are involved in the arts, sport, music, drama and other extra-curricular activities they enjoy.

What does a successful school look like to you?

Students are happy and learning.

What is the most important quality you want every child to have when they leave your school? And why?

That leavers are independent and able to follow their own interests and passions.

Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.

Multinational, supportive, creative, open and responsible. 

Southbank International School Kensington Catchment Area Map

This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.