TASIS The American School in England

The Founding Vision

TASIS England was established in 1976 by American educator Mary Crist Fleming, whose lifelong mission was to create schools where young people could learn not just academic subjects, but how to live alongside people of different cultures and perspectives. Fleming had already founded TASIS schools in Switzerland and France before establishing the English campus on its historic Surrey estate.

Her philosophy was rooted in a simple but powerful idea: that education is most transformative when it takes place in a genuinely international environment, where students must navigate difference, build understanding, and develop into responsible members of a global community.

The Mission in Practice

TASIS England's official mission — to nurture intellectual curiosity and a sense of responsibility in every member of a global community — is not simply a statement on a wall. It shapes the school's academic offerings, its boarding culture, and its approach to student development.

Key pillars of the school's educational philosophy include:

• Intellectual curiosity: Students are encouraged to question, explore, and take intellectual risks, supported by small classes (10–12 students) and teachers who know each student personally.
• Responsibility: Through service learning, the IB's CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement, and community engagement, students are expected to contribute beyond the classroom.
• Global community: With over 70 nationalities on campus, diversity is not an aspiration but a daily reality. Students develop intercultural competencies simply by living and learning together.

Accreditations as a Mark of Quality

The school's commitment to quality is validated by multiple international accreditations:

• Council of International Schools (CIS) — re-accredited in 2025
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) — re-accredited in 2025
• International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) — authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme
• Independent Schools Association (ISA) — member
• ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) — inspection passed April 2024, with the welfare of pupils actively promoted

These accreditations ensure that TASIS England meets rigorous international standards in both academic quality and pastoral care — and they reflect an institutional commitment to continuous improvement that Fleming herself championed.

A Distinctive Dual-Curriculum Approach

TASIS England stands out among international schools near London by offering students a genuine choice between two rigorous pathways: the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Both tracks are available within a small, close-knit community of over 650 students from more than 70 nationalities.

IB Diploma Results (2025)

The school's most recent IB cohort demonstrated strong performance:

• 91% pass rate — comfortably above the world average of 81%
• Average score: 34 points — above the world average of 30.58
• Highest score: 43 points out of a maximum of 45

These results place TASIS England firmly among the top-performing IB schools in the UK.

Advanced Placement Results (2025)

The AP programme is equally robust:

• 91% of AP exams scored 3 or above (passing grade)
• Average score: 4.0 out of 5
• 62% of exams scored 4 or higher
• 32% of exams scored 5 (the highest possible grade)

TASIS offers more than 20 AP subjects, spanning sciences, humanities, mathematics, arts, and languages.

Subject Breadth

The IB curriculum at TASIS England covers all six IB subject groups, with notable offerings including:

• Group 1 (Language A): English, German, Spanish Literature
• Group 2 (Language B): French, Spanish (B and Ab Initio)
• Group 3 (Individuals & Societies): Economics, Psychology, History
• Group 4 (Sciences): Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems
• Group 5 (Mathematics): Analysis & Approaches, Applications & Interpretation
• Group 6 (Arts): Film, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts
• Core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), CAS

AP courses include Art History, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, European History, US History, Psychology, Statistics, and more.

Small Classes, High Standards

With an average class size of 10–12 students, teachers can provide genuine individual attention. This small-group environment, combined with a highly international student body, creates academic discussions enriched by diverse perspectives. The school's university counseling team of five dedicated professionals supports every student through the global university application process, resulting in graduates attending over 200 universities worldwide.

Living and Learning in a Truly International Community

TASIS England describes itself not just as a school but as a global community, and the numbers bear this out. With over 650 day and boarding students from more than 70 nationalities living and studying on a single, self-contained 46-acre campus in Thorpe, Surrey, the school creates an environment where cultural exchange is woven into daily life rather than being a curriculum add-on.

The Boarding Experience

At the heart of the TASIS community is its boarding programme, which accommodates more than 200 students from over 30 different nationalities. Boarding is available from age 13 to 18 (Grades 8–12), and boarders live alongside day students in a structured yet nurturing residential environment. Boarding fees for Grades 8–12 are £69,650 per year, which covers accommodation, meals, and a wide range of supervised activities.

The boarding community is supported by house staff and pastoral teams who work to ensure students feel safe, supported, and connected — particularly important for those who have moved far from home.

Day Student Life

Day students are fully integrated into the school's social and extracurricular life, with school buses running on four routes across Surrey and Middlesex, as well as a shuttle service connecting to Virginia Water station. The school's 46-acre grounds — including sports fields, arts facilities, and common areas — give both day and boarding students ample space to connect outside the classroom.

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

The school's wellbeing infrastructure reflects its commitment to every student:

• A dedicated Health and Well-being Centre with nurses on site
• Five university college counselors guiding students through global applications
• A comprehensive safeguarding policy aligned with UK child protection standards
• An EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme with dedicated teachers using the WIDA-aligned WALD framework, supporting students at each grade level

A Community Built on Diversity

Because students come from so many backgrounds — diplomat families, expats, international relocators, and students specifically seeking a global education — TASIS England has developed a culture that treats diversity as a genuine asset. Students study together in classes of 10–12, share meals that include lunches provided as part of tuition, and participate in extracurricular activities that span sport, arts, and community service.

A Flexible, Welcoming Admissions Process

One of the more distinctive features of TASIS England is its rolling admissions policy, meaning the school accepts applications throughout the academic year for students aged 4 to 18. This flexibility is particularly valuable for expatriate families who may be relocating to the UK on short notice, or who need to transfer mid-year.

Application Steps

The admissions process follows a clear sequence:

1. Submit the online application with an application fee of £240 (non-refundable)
2. Upload a copy of passport or birth certificate for identification
3. Provide school transcripts for the last three years (with English translations if required)
4. Teacher recommendations from current English and/or native-language teachers, submitted directly to the Admissions Office
5. Student interview — conducted in English, assessing the applicant's readiness and fit
6. Parent meeting — an informal conversation with the admissions team

Decisions are typically communicated within 2–3 weeks of a completed application.

English Language Requirements

As an English-medium school, TASIS England expects applicants to have sufficient English proficiency to access the curriculum. Non-native English speakers are encouraged to submit:

• IELTS (minimum band score: approximately 6.5)
• TOEFL or equivalent standardised test results

Students who need additional English support can access the school's EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme, which provides structured, individualised support alongside mainstream classes.

Financial Considerations at Admissions

Beyond tuition, families should budget for:

• Application fee: £240 (non-refundable, paid at time of application)
• Development Fund Fee: £900 one-time capital contribution
• Tuition range: £15,600 (Pre-K) to £37,170 (Grades 9–12) annually
• Boarding (Grades 8–12): £69,650 per year (includes accommodation and meals)

Financial assistance is available for families demonstrating need, with awards typically covering 5–25% of tuition fees. The Global Community Scholarship is also awarded to exceptional students in Grades 8–12 who show strong academic and extracurricular achievement.

A Note on Selectivity

TASIS England does not publish a formal acceptance rate or apply a highly selective entrance examination process. The admissions approach is holistic, assessing academic records, English ability, teacher recommendations, and the student's potential to contribute to and benefit from the school community.

A Campus Unlike Most International Schools

TASIS England occupies a 46-acre estate in Thorpe, Surrey — a setting that feels distinctly unlike the urban campuses of most international schools near London. The grounds combine historic architecture with modern academic and sports facilities, creating an environment that is both stimulating and calming.

Location and Access

The school's address — Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey TW20 8TE — places it approximately:

• 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport by car (convenient for international families)
• 35 minutes from London Waterloo by train to Egham station
• Accessible by school bus on four routes covering Surrey and Middlesex
• Served by a shuttle between the school and Virginia Water station

This location strikes a balance between accessibility and a genuine sense of being away from the city — important for a school with a large boarding community.

Facilities on Campus

The 46-acre grounds support a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. Key facilities include:

• Sports fields and courts for football, tennis, basketball, and more
• Arts facilities supporting the school's strong visual arts, music, theatre, and film programmes
• Health and Well-being Centre with nursing staff on site
• Boarding houses accommodating over 200 students from more than 30 nationalities
• Dining facilities providing included lunches for all students
• Modern classroom buildings supporting small-group academic work

The Rhythm of School Life

TASIS England follows a two-semester, American-style academic year, beginning in late August/early September and running for approximately 180 days. Uniform is required for Upper School students. Lunches are included in tuition for all students — a detail that reflects the school's care for the day-to-day wellbeing of its community.

For boarding students, the campus becomes home. Evening study halls, weekend activities, and house events create a structured but enjoyable residential life. For day students, the school's bus network and proximity to major transport links make daily commuting straightforward.