Nord Anglia International School Shanghai Pudong

Campus and Facilities

Situated at 2888 Junmin Road in the Pudong New District, the NAIS Pudong campus spans an impressive 46,000 square metres — a rare expanse for an urban international school in Shanghai. The campus is designed to support the full breadth of the school's academic, artistic, and athletic programmes.

Sports Facilities

• Natural Grass Football Pitch — A full-size grass soccer pitch, described as unique among Pudong international schools, enabling year-round football training in authentic conditions
• Indoor Swimming Pool — A year-round competition-grade pool, home to the Tiger Sharks swim team that competes in Shanghai Swimming League (SSL) events
• Two Large Sports Halls — Multi-use gymnasiums supporting basketball, badminton, volleyball, and indoor sports
• Artificial Turf Fields — Large synthetic surfaces for additional outdoor sports activity regardless of weather

Performing Arts

• Renovated Theatre — A modern performance space with full stage and tiered seating, used for drama productions, music concerts, and Juilliard collaboration performances
• Art & Music Studios — Dedicated spaces including practice rooms for instruments (supporting the Juilliard programme), kiln facilities for ceramics, and darkroom for photography

Academic Spaces

• SMART-Enabled Classrooms — All classrooms feature interactive boards; secondary students benefit from 1:1 device access
• Science Laboratories — Fully equipped Chemistry, Biology, and Physics laboratories
• Library & Learning Commons — A bright, spacious library with extensive multilingual collections and IT resources

Student Wellbeing Spaces

• Cafeteria / Dining Hall — Central dining facility managed by Sodexo, serving hundreds of students daily
• EYFS Playground — Age-appropriate outdoor play areas for Early Years children
• Medical Room — On-site clinic to support student health and wellbeing

Getting There

The campus is approximately 40 minutes by car from Pudong International Airport. The nearest Metro station is Longyang Road (Line 2), approximately 15 minutes away. The school operates an optional school bus service with approximately 10 routes across Pudong at an annual fee of approximately RMB 22,820.

A Pioneering Legacy in Pudong

Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong (NAIS Pudong) holds the distinction of being China's longest-running British international school, having opened its doors in 2002. The school was inaugurated by UK Minister Patricia Hewitt MP, marking a significant moment in international education in China.

Key Milestones

• 2002 — School founded and opened as Shanghai's first British international school
• ~2007 — Introduction of the IB Diploma Programme, which had completed 15 years by the school's 20th anniversary
• 2019 — Accreditation by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) confirmed
• 2022 — Celebrated 20th anniversary; campus and programme expansion continued
• 2025 — Class of 2025 achieves an average IB score of 37, among the highest globally

Growth Under Nord Anglia Education

As a member of the Nord Anglia Education global network — one of the world's largest premium international school groups — NAIS Pudong has access to a network of partner schools across more than 30 countries. This affiliation enables unique global collaborations with The Juilliard School (arts), MIT (STEAM innovation), UNICEF (social impact), and IMG Academy (elite sports training).

A Community Built on Diversity

Over two decades, the school has fostered a truly international community, welcoming students from more than 50 nationalities on a 46,000 sqm campus in Junmin Road, Pudong. The school's long tenure in Shanghai has allowed it to build deep roots in the expatriate community while continuously refining its academic offering to maintain world-class standards.

Its consistent production of high IB scores — averaging between 33 and 37 in recent years, well above the global average of approximately 30 — and its graduates' success at top universities worldwide stand as testament to the quality of education built over more than two decades.

Academic Framework

NAIS Pudong offers a coherent academic pathway from Early Years through to sixth form:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — Ages 2–5 (Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Reception)
• Key Stages 1–3 (British National Curriculum) — Years 1–9
• Cambridge IGCSE — Years 10–11
• IB Diploma Programme — Years 12–13

Standout Academic Results

The school's IB results are among the most impressive of any international school in Shanghai:

• Class of 2024: Average IB score of 33 (global average ~30)
• Class of 2025: Average IB score of 37, with six students scoring 40 or above, including one student achieving 43 out of 45
• IGCSE 2025: 100% pass rate in Sciences; 100% A*–A in French, Spanish, and Chinese Foreign Language; 80%+ A*–C in English Literature

Unique Global Partnerships

What sets NAIS Pudong apart from other international schools is its exclusive access to Nord Anglia's global collaboration programmes:

• The Juilliard School (New York) — Arts education, masterclasses in music, drama, and dance delivered by Juilliard faculty
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — STEAM-focused learning, coding, robotics, and innovation projects
• UNICEF — Global citizenship and social impact curriculum
• IMG Academy (Florida) — Elite sports training methodology integrated into PE and sports programmes

Teaching Philosophy

The school's approach is described as research-led and globally connected, with an emphasis on developing critical thinking, creativity, and AI literacy. Students are encouraged to become "creative, confident, and considerate" graduates prepared for a rapidly changing world. Small class sizes (approximately 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, classes up to 24) ensure personalised attention.

University Destinations

Graduates from the Class of 2025 secured offers at prestigious institutions including the London School of Economics, UCL, King's College London, University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, and international institutions such as MGIMO (Russia). The school reports near-100% university placement for its graduates.

Educational Philosophy

At its core, NAIS Pudong is guided by a mission "to shape a generation of successful, creative and resilient global citizens." This philosophy permeates every aspect of school life — from classroom pedagogy to extracurricular design and pastoral care.

Whole-Child Education

The school describes its approach as a "Whole Education" model, in which academic achievement is balanced with character development and personal wellbeing. Key pillars include:

• Academic Excellence — Rigorous British curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and IB Diploma with consistently above-average results
• Character and Resilience — Students are supported through advisory groups, mindfulness practices, and house community activities
• Global Citizenship — The UNICEF partnership integrates social impact learning into the curriculum, asking students to engage with global challenges
• Creativity — The Juilliard partnership elevates arts education to a professional standard rarely seen in school settings
• Innovation and Future-Readiness — The MIT collaboration brings STEAM thinking and AI literacy to the curriculum, reflecting the school's belief that education must evolve with the world

Inclusivity at the Heart

Despite its high academic standards, NAIS Pudong positions itself as an "academically inclusive school" — welcoming students from diverse academic backgrounds and providing EAL support and Individual Education Plans for those who need them. The admissions philosophy is that every child aged 2–18 deserves access to a world-class British education.

Preparing for Life Beyond School

The school's philosophy explicitly links day-to-day learning to long-term outcomes: preparing students for top universities worldwide while also equipping them with the creativity, critical thinking, and intercultural awareness to thrive "wherever they may be." As Principal Diane Vaughan has articulated, the school's purpose is not merely to achieve examination results, but to develop young people who are ready to make a positive contribution to the world.

The NAIS Pudong Community

NAIS Pudong prides itself on hosting one of the most internationally diverse school communities in Shanghai. Students hail from more than 50 nationalities, creating a rich multicultural environment that mirrors the global workplace students will eventually enter.

Who Attends NAIS Pudong?

The school exclusively admits foreign nationals — including expatriates, diplomats, and families from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Local Chinese nationals are not admitted under Chinese regulations governing international schools. This policy means the student body is effectively 100% international, providing an authentically global atmosphere.

With approximately 700 students across Pre-Nursery to Year 13, the school maintains an intimate community feel despite its comprehensive programme offering.

Family Life and Pastoral Support

• An active Parent Community Association organises regular events, open days, and community initiatives
• Advisory groups and daily mindfulness sessions support student wellbeing
• The school operates a house system, with House Leaders organising inter-house competitions and community events
• A Learning Support Coordinator creates Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students who need additional support
• EAL (English as Additional Language) classes are available for non-native English speakers

Multilingual Environment

While English is the sole language of instruction, the school offers structured language programmes in Mandarin, French, German, and Spanish — both at IGCSE and IB Diploma level. This multilingual offering reflects the diverse backgrounds of the student body and prepares graduates for global citizenship.

School Meals and Daily Life

Lunch is provided through a Sodexo-managed cafeteria, with menus designed to reflect the international community and accommodate special dietary requirements. Students wear a school uniform (blazer and PE kit), reinforcing a sense of shared identity across nationalities. The school day runs approximately 08:00–16:15.