Cities / Lagos / St. Saviours School Ikoyi
St. Saviours School Ikoyi
Lagos's oldest British-curriculum primary, founded 1951 on Alexander Avenue and still the establishment choice for Ikoyi families. Anglican in tradition, open to all faiths, around 340 pupils from Foundation 2 to Year 6.
In brief
Lagos's oldest British-curriculum primary, founded 1951 on Alexander Avenue and still the establishment choice for Ikoyi families. Anglican in tradition, open to all faiths, around 340 pupils from Foundation 2 to Year 6.
Headteacher Craig Heaton runs a tight English National Curriculum primary with average class sizes around 23. COBIS, BSO and ISI accreditations are real and the inspection record is strong. The lagoon-reclaimed playing fields, swimming pool and ICT labs sit on a small but well-used Ikoyi site.
Parents talk about the place feeling unusually settled for Lagos, with long staff tenures, three parent-teacher conferences a year, and a clear sense that children are known. The school feeds older children into senior schools both in Lagos and in the UK boarding circuit. Costs are top-end for primary in Nigeria and demand for places is consistent. The Anglican framing is gentle rather than dominant, and non-Christian families have always been part of the roll.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Reception Insurance | 4 | NGN 334,964 |
| Year 1 Insurance | 5 | NGN 287,112 |
| Year 2 Insurance | 6 | NGN 239,260 |
| Year 3 Insurance | 7 | NGN 191,408 |
| Year 4 Insurance | 8 | NGN 143,556 |
| Year 5 Insurance | 9 | NGN 95,704 |
| Year 6 Insurance | 10 | NGN 47,852 |
| Year Book | NGN 30,000 | |
| PTA Levy | NGN 150,000 | |
| Annual Tuition (3 terms) | NGN 10,633,761 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | NGN 75,000 | |
| Refundable Deposit | NGN 3,544,587 | |
| Admission Acceptance Fee (Sibling) | NGN 7,089,173 | |
| Admission Acceptance Fee (Non-Sibling) | NGN 8,861,466 |
Reviews
- The oldest independent British curriculum primary school in Nigeria, founded in 1951 by Lagos's expat business community for Foundation 2 to Year 6.
- Awarded an 'Excellent' rating by the UK Independent Schools Inspectorate in its November 2022 British Schools Overseas inspection, the highest available grade.
- Most parent reviews are positive. Recurring points are good security, strong facilities including interactive whiteboards in every classroom, and the British feel of the experience, with one reviewer saying 'it is just like being in England'.
- Teacher commentary on parent trackers describes pupils as 'a delight to teach, full of beans, with real enthusiasm for learning', with some 'low-level disruption' but supportive parents.
- Practical complaints centre on traffic at pickup time on Ikoyi Island.
- Pupil intake is mostly Nigerian, often dual-national, drawn from professional families on or near Ikoyi.
Positives
- British curriculum and inspection. BSO 'Excellent' rating in 2022 inspection anchors the school's reputation.
- Facilities and security. Reviewers consistently mention strong security and well-equipped classrooms.
- Pupil experience. Teachers describe enthusiastic pupils; parent reviews emphasise easy friendships and a caring environment.
Considerations
- Logistics and pickup traffic. Traffic at the school gates flagged as a practical drawback.
- Predominantly Nigerian-dual-national intake. Most pupils are Nigerian with dual nationality, drawn from professional families based in Ikoyi.
Leadership
Craig Heaton
Craig Heaton serves as Headteacher of St. Saviour's School Ikoyi, holding BA(Hons) and PGCE qualifications. He emphasizes that the school is a friendly and caring international learning community in which everyone is valued and included. The headteacher prioritises providing personalised learning through a high staff-to-student ratio and believes children thrive when their educational experiences incorporate adventure both inside and beyond the traditional curriculum, supporting the British curriculum framework.
Accreditations
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 01
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 02
- ISI 03