ACS International School Cobham

Academic Philosophy and Results

ACS Cobham International School offers one of the most comprehensive international curricula available in the United Kingdom. The school delivers the full IB Continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) — alongside Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a US High School Diploma pathway, giving families genuine flexibility in shaping their child's academic journey.

IB Diploma Performance

The school's 2025 IB results are exceptional by any measure. With an average score of 35 out of 45 against a global average of 30, ACS Cobham places its graduates firmly in the upper echelon of IB schools worldwide. The pass rate stands at 97%, and more than 20% of candidates achieved 40 points or above, a threshold that places students among the very top IB performers globally. The highest individual score recorded was 44.

Advanced Placement

The AP programme at ACS Cobham is equally strong. In 2025, the school's 208 AP candidates achieved an average score of 3.6, with 91% scoring 3 or above — the internationally recognised threshold for university credit. The school offers approximately 20 AP subjects spanning English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, languages, and the arts.

Teaching Approach

The school describes its pedagogy as Assessment for Learning — a research-backed approach in which formative assessment is used continuously to guide instruction and support individual progress, rather than relying primarily on high-stakes summative exams. Teachers work to understand each student's learning profile and adjust accordingly, reflecting the diverse nationalities and educational backgrounds present in any given cohort.

ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) evaluators have commented that ACS Cobham students are "independent, motivated and demonstrate strong judgement", affirming that the school's learner-centred ethos translates into measurable outcomes.

University Destinations

Over 65% of the 2024 graduating class progressed to top UK universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, King's College London, Durham, and Bath. The remainder enrolled at leading institutions in the United States (University of Chicago, UC Berkeley), Canada (McGill), Europe (IE University), and Asia (Waseda University), reflecting the truly international character of the student body and the school's holistic university counselling programme.

A Global Community in the Surrey Hills

ACS Cobham is unusual among UK independent schools in the sheer breadth of its student community. More than 70 nationalities are represented across the school's approximately 1,267 students, creating a learning environment where cross-cultural collaboration is not an aspiration but an everyday reality.

Who Attends?

British students form the single largest nationality group at roughly 33% of the student body, reflecting the school's deep roots in the local Surrey community. The remaining ~67% of students come from across the globe — Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — brought to the area by parents working in London's business, diplomatic, and technology sectors, as well as at nearby multinational headquarters such as Samsung, Mercedes, and AstraZeneca.

This demographic mix means that in any given IB or AP classroom, students bring genuinely different political, cultural, and academic perspectives, enriching discussion and preparing graduates for leadership in international careers.

Global Citizenship in Practice

The school actively cultivates international-mindedness through its curriculum and co-curricular activities. Students engage with Model United Nations, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, international community service projects (including Madagascar development support and Ukrainian refugee assistance), and cultural exchange events. The school's clubs include Asia Cultural Studies, a Girl Up chapter, and solidarity groups, all of which reflect the community's commitment to being active global citizens.

Parent Community

The parent body is equally diverse, and the school runs active parent association events that bring together families from dozens of cultures throughout the academic year. For expatriate families arriving in the UK, ACS Cobham's international community often provides an immediate social network that eases the transition.

Campus and Facilities

Set on the historic 128-acre Heywood estate in Cobham, Surrey — just 20 miles from central London — ACS Cobham's campus offers facilities that rival many UK universities.

Sports and Recreation

At the heart of the sports provision is a 25-metre indoor competition swimming pool staffed by dedicated swimming coaches. The school regularly wins national and regional Independent Schools Association (ISA) championships in aquatics. Adjacent to the pool sits a purpose-built Sports Arena with international-standard basketball and volleyball courts, a sprung beech floor, and seating for 280 spectators — home to the school's 'Cougars' teams.

Outdoor facilities include six all-weather tennis courts (with a spring Tennis Academy programme), a five-hole golf practice facility, and extensive playing fields for rugby, football, lacrosse, and athletics. A fully equipped Fitness Gym with Technogym machinery is available to students aged 15 and above, as well as to boarding students and parents.

Arts and Culture

The E.J. Poularas Performing Arts Centre anchors the school's arts programme. With a 509-seat professional theatre and dedicated rehearsal rooms, it hosts school productions, visiting performers, and whole-school assemblies. A separate Dance Studio with professional-grade sprung floors, mirrored walls, and a digital sound system is available to both students and parents.

Academic Spaces

The STEM Innovation Centre features 3D printers and maker-space equipment. Science students work across multiple fully equipped laboratory suites. A dedicated Film Studio and music recording rooms support the school's growing media arts programme. Both the Lower School and Senior School have their own library and interactive learning centres.

Dining and Welfare

Separate Senior and Lower School dining halls provide hot lunches daily with menus that rotate every day, catering to the diverse dietary requirements of 70+ nationalities. A Medical Centre staffed by three full-time registered nurses (plus one medical assistant) operates Monday from 6 AM to Friday 4 PM, with 24-hour coverage for boarding students.

Boarding

On-campus boarding is available for students in Grades 8–12 (ages 13–18). Multiple boarding houses — including Woodlands House and Field House — provide a home-away-from-home with resident house parents supervising students around the clock.

Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing

ACS Cobham places student wellbeing at the centre of its school culture, recognising that international students — many of whom are far from extended family networks — need robust pastoral support.

House System and Tutoring

All students are assigned to a House with a dedicated House Tutor who meets regularly with each individual student. The House system creates vertical communities across year groups, fostering mentoring relationships and a sense of belonging that transcends the classroom. House Heads oversee pastoral progress and coordinate with subject teachers, counsellors, and parents when concerns arise.

Professional Counselling

The school employs several full-time counsellors who offer individual and group counselling sessions tailored to the specific challenges of adolescence in a highly mobile, internationally diverse environment. Counsellors work proactively — not just reactively — to support transitions (including new family arrivals to the UK), exam stress, identity questions, and social-emotional development.

Medical Centre

ACS Cobham's Medical Centre is staffed by three registered nurses and a medical assistant, operating from Monday morning through Friday afternoon during the school week. Boarding students have access to 24-hour medical support, and the centre coordinates with local GP and hospital services for more complex needs.

Anti-Bullying and PSHE

Bullying prevention is embedded within the PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) curriculum, which addresses topics including digital safety, identity, mental health literacy, healthy relationships, and global citizenship at every year level. The school's ethos of respect and inclusion is reinforced through regular tutor meetings, restorative practices, and clear community agreements.

Boarding Pastoral Support

For boarding students, each house has resident boarding staff present 24 hours a day. Regular one-to-one meetings with tutors, house socials, and structured weekend activities ensure that boarders remain connected and supported. The school reports a strong 'family atmosphere' within its boarding community.

Admissions at ACS Cobham

Non-Selective, Rolling Process

Unlike many UK independent schools that select students on the basis of academic or entrance examinations, ACS Cobham operates a non-selective admissions policy. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant's previous school records, teacher references, and English language proficiency — not on competitive entrance testing.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, which is particularly valuable for expatriate families who may receive relocation notices at short notice. There is no fixed annual application deadline; families are encouraged to apply as soon as they know their likely start date.

Application Steps

1. Submit the online application form with a non-refundable application fee of £330.
2. Provide previous school reports, teacher recommendations, and EAL assessment results.
3. Receive an admission decision (timeline not publicly specified).
4. Upon acceptance, pay a refundable enrolment deposit of £1,500 to secure the place.

In oversubscribed year groups, students may be placed on a waiting list while a space becomes available.

English Language Support

While ACS Cobham does not require a specific standardised English test score for admission, the school assesses English proficiency as part of its review. Accepted students who need language support are enrolled in the EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme, which provides structured in-class and pull-out support until students are fully proficient for mainstream learning.

Bursaries

ACS Cobham offers means-tested bursaries (financial aid) of up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible families. To qualify, students must be UK residents within the school's commuting catchment, meet residency eligibility criteria, and pass a financial means assessment. Bursaries are renewable annually for up to seven years and are reviewed each year. There are currently no publicly advertised merit scholarships for sports or arts.

Fee Structure (2026-27)

Tuition fees range from approximately £9,950 per year for the youngest Nursery provision up to £39,960 per year for Grade 11-12 day students. A one-time capital levy of £1,680 applies in the first year for Grades K–12. Boarding fees add approximately £21,240 (5-day/week) or £29,100 (full 7-day boarding) on top of day tuition for Grades 8–12.