Southbank International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$25K - US$58K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 2-18
Students: ~600
Location: Kensington, Hampstead & Westminster, London
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Southbank is the right call if you want a genuinely central IB school, don't need a single unified campus, and want your child in a small-class environment where they know their teachers well. If consistent facilities across all years matter, look at ISL instead.
Southbank sits where families who want the IB but don't want to leave central London tend to land. Three campuses - Kensington and Hampstead for primary, Westminster for secondary - mean the school works best for families already settled in those neighbourhoods. The school was the first in the UK authorised to offer all three IB programmes, and the 2025 DP cohort averaged 35.4 with 25% scoring 40 points or higher - placing it among the leading co-educational IB schools in the country.
Class sizes are small, parents consistently praise teacher availability, and the multi-campus model means students encounter different learning environments across their years. The Hampstead campus was recognised as an Apple Distinguished School in 2024-27, reflecting genuine investment in technology across the school. Cognita ownership brings operational stability and shared resources across its international network.
The main catch is the campus split itself. Primary and secondary students attend different buildings, which means your child will change location - and friendship groups may shift - at age 11. Fees run from approximately GBP 20,000 at Early Childhood to GBP 46,000 for the Diploma Programme, and the capital development levy of GBP 3,000 in year one adds to initial cost. The absence of a single main campus also means shared sports facilities rather than on-site pitches - families should ask specifically about sport provision for their child's year group.
What parents value
- –First UK school authorised for all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP). IB DP average of 35.4 in 2025, with three students achieving 45/45 - well above the global average of 30.58.
- –Small class sizes with a maximum of 18 students; parents repeatedly mention teachers knowing their children by name and responding quickly to individual needs.
- –Three central London campuses - Kensington, Hampstead, and Westminster - give genuine geographic reach for families across different parts of the city.
Points of consideration
- –The multi-campus model means a physical transition at age 11 from Kensington or Hampstead to Westminster. Worth visiting both sites and asking current families how that transition was handled.
- –No single unified campus means sports and outdoor space are more limited than at schools like ISL (Chiswick) or ACS Hillingdon. Ask specifically about PE and sports provision for your child's year group.
- –Fees are at the upper end of the London IB market, and the annual capital levy of GBP 780 from year two onward adds to the ongoing cost. Confirm the full fee schedule before committing.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood 3 (half day) | 3 | 26,665 |
| Early Childhood 3 (full day) | 3 | 36,960 |
| Early Childhood 4 (full day) | 4 | 42,516 |
| Kindergarten - Grade 2 (PYP, ages 5-8) | 5 | 51,169 |
| Grades 3-5 (PYP, ages 8-11) | 8 | 52,687 |
| Grades 6-10 (MYP, ages 11-16) | 11 | 58,834 |
| Grades 11-12 (DP, ages 16-18) | 16 | 61,253 |
Fees converted from GBP. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | 397 |
| Refundable deposit | 2,644 |
| Capital Development Fee (first year) | 3,966 |
| PTA fee (annual) | 56 |
Photos
Academic Results
| IB DP average (2025) | 35.4 |
| IB DP pass rate (2025) | 100% |
| Students scoring 40+ (2025) | 25% |
| Perfect 45/45 scores (2025) | 3 |
Southbank offers the full IB continuum - PYP at primary, MYP from Grade 6, and DP in Grades 11-12. The 2025 DP cohort of 75 students averaged 35.4 points (global average 30.58), with 25% scoring 40 or above and three students achieving the maximum 45. The school also offers the IB Bilingual Diploma for students with strong skills in two languages.
Southbank was ranked in the top 20 UK schools in the 2024 Global IB School League Table - notable given the school does not select on academic ability. University destinations include leading UK, US, and European institutions.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Kensington campus - Victorian villas with garden, STEAM room, art room, music room · Hampstead campus - purpose-built, astroturf pitch, STEAM lab, music studio · Westminster campuses - design labs with laser cutters and 3D printers, library resource centres · Sports centre in Kilburn (bus transport provided)
Most extra-curricular activities are free of charge - sport, music, drama, and Model United Nations are all available. Students can use a sports centre in Kilburn for PE and competitive sport, with bus transport from Westminster campuses provided.
The school runs Global Adventures trips for older students and has strong performing arts provision across all campuses. Kensington uses the surrounding Notting Hill area as an extension of the classroom for field trips.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 600 students across three campuses from over 60 nationalities, with no dominant national group. The school is non-selective - it admits students on a rolling basis throughout the year, which means mid-year joins are handled routinely.
The multi-campus model naturally creates year-group communities at each site, with the larger Westminster campus serving older students. Parents describe the atmosphere as international in feel without being transient.
Leadership
Siobhan McGrath
Siobhan McGrath is Executive Principal of Southbank International School, overseeing all three London campuses. She joined from senior leadership positions within the Cognita group and holds a strong commitment to the IB philosophy.