Welcome to Southbank International School
We are London's leading International Baccalaureate (IB) School, offering a different approach to academic excellence for children aged 2*-18
At our Central London campuses in Hampstead, Kensington and Westminster, we nurture talent, celebrate individuality and develop curious, inquisitive and constantly challenging minds. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results and first-choice university offers.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is enjoyed by both international learners and those who have not previously studied the IB, including children moving over from private primary or secondary schools. The IB aims to do more than other curricula. It builds students critical thinking skills, nurtures their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems.
Through a commitment to academic excellence and a uniquely liberal ethos, the IB also develops students with an inner belief in themselves. Southbank students have an openness to the outside world and a desire to give back to communities on a local, national and global level.
* Conditions apply
IB Diploma results 2024
100% Pass Rate For The IB Diploma
We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of our students in the IBDP results.
Out of the 86 diploma students who participated, one of our biggest cohorts to date, 100% successfully passed and 86% scored higher than the world average (30.32), our Southbank average is 36. This is a remarkable feat and something we are extremely proud of.
*A score of 34-37 in the IB is roughly equivalent to AAA at A-Level. These comparisons are approximations and can vary by subject and university.
Congratualtions to our Class of 2024 for achieving such fantastic IB Diploma results which reflect their phenomenal academic performance.
A different approach to academic excellence.
"A school for students who think differently, challenge confidently, dream bigger, question more, explore further."
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A fantastic #BookWeek2025 wraps up at our #Westminster campus where students and staff had a blast dressing as their favourite book characacters!
As part of their #BookWeek2025 celebration, students were also challenged to solve a terrible crime... a murder! With three main suspects – the Head of English, the Head of Science, and the Librarian – they used their sharp skills in Critical Thinking, Literacy, and Communication to piece together the clues (and navigate a few tricky red herrings!).
The investigation was a thrilling adventure, and our students truly embraced the challenge. Well done to all our young detectives!
Huge thanks to everyone who participated in Book Week – whether you read a book in class, rocked a costume, attended an author talk, or sparked exciting discussions about books and reading this week! 🙌📖
#BookLovers #ReadingFun #CommunitySpirit
#worldbookday2025 #SchoolFun #ReadingIsMagic #worldbookweek #IBWorldSchool #PYP #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #primaryeducation #SecondaryEducation #London
A fantastic #BookWeek2025 wraps up at our #Westminster campus where students and staff had a blast dressing as their favourite book characacters!
As part of their #BookWeek2025 celebration, students were also challenged to solve a terrible crime... a murder! With three main suspects – the Head of English, the Head of Science, and the Librarian – they used their sharp skills in Critical Thinking, Literacy, and Communication to piece together the clues (and navigate a few tricky red herrings!).
The investigation was a thrilling adventure, and our students truly embraced the challenge. Well done to all our young detectives!
Huge thanks to everyone who participated in Book Week – whether you read a book in class, rocked a costume, attended an author talk, or sparked exciting discussions about books and reading this week! 🙌📖
#BookLovers #ReadingFun #CommunitySpirit
#worldbookday2025 #SchoolFun #ReadingIsMagic #worldbookweek #IBWorldSchool #PYP #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #primaryeducation #SecondaryEducation #London
📚✨ It`s World Book Day! ✨📚
We’re continuing ‘World Book Week’ at our #Hampstead campus, where students came dressed as their favourite book characters and picked up some beloved stories at the @dauntbooks book fair. From timeless classics like The `Tiger Who Came to Tea` and `Funnybones` to modern favourites like `Luna Loves Dance` and `Gangsta Granny`, there was something for everyone!
We loved seeing all the creative costumes too!
#worldbookday2025📚📚 #BookLovers #SchoolFun #ReadingIsMagic #worldbookweek #IBWorldSchool #PYP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #primaryeducation #London
📚✨ It`s World Book Day! ✨📚
We’re continuing ‘World Book Week’ at our #Hampstead campus, where students came dressed as their favourite book characters and picked up some beloved stories at the @dauntbooks book fair. From timeless classics like The `Tiger Who Came to Tea` and `Funnybones` to modern favourites like `Luna Loves Dance` and `Gangsta Granny`, there was something for everyone!
We loved seeing all the creative costumes too!
#worldbookday2025📚📚 #BookLovers #SchoolFun #ReadingIsMagic #worldbookweek #IBWorldSchool #PYP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #primaryeducation #London
📚 Book Week continues at #Westminster with a visit from the incredible author Julian Sedgwick!
Today, Julian shared the inspiration behind his books, including his travels to Japan, stories from families affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the touching story of the wind phone. He read excerpts from one of his books, which include Tsunami Girl and Tokyo Ghost Café, answered insightful questions from our students, and even held a lunchtime book signing!
Our G8 writers also had the privilege of attending a writers’ workshop with him. Julian’s words were truly inspiring, sparking reflection on the power of reading and writing.
Some of the fantastic questions our students asked included:
"How well can you speak Japanese?"
"Did what you wrote in your books ever make you cry?"
"If you had one message for the world, what would it be?" (Julian’s response: “Let’s be kind to each other.”)
Julian was so impressed by our students, calling their questions "the most fantastically thoughtful and varied set of questions I`ve had in a long time."
A huge thank you to @julian_sedgwick for an unforgettable day! 🙌 #BookWeek #AuthorVisit #Inspiration #BookWeek2025 #IBWorldSchool #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #secondaryeducation #London
📚 Book Week continues at #Westminster with a visit from the incredible author Julian Sedgwick!
Today, Julian shared the inspiration behind his books, including his travels to Japan, stories from families affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the touching story of the wind phone. He read excerpts from one of his books, which include Tsunami Girl and Tokyo Ghost Café, answered insightful questions from our students, and even held a lunchtime book signing!
Our G8 writers also had the privilege of attending a writers’ workshop with him. Julian’s words were truly inspiring, sparking reflection on the power of reading and writing.
Some of the fantastic questions our students asked included:
"How well can you speak Japanese?"
"Did what you wrote in your books ever make you cry?"
"If you had one message for the world, what would it be?" (Julian’s response: “Let’s be kind to each other.”)
Julian was so impressed by our students, calling their questions "the most fantastically thoughtful and varied set of questions I`ve had in a long time."
A huge thank you to @julian_sedgwick for an unforgettable day! 🙌 #BookWeek #AuthorVisit #Inspiration #BookWeek2025 #IBWorldSchool #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #secondaryeducation #London
This week marks the start of Book Week, and we’re kicking things off with a look back at our unforgettable celebration from January! Our Kensington campus truly embraced the joy of reading and language, making it a week to remember.
Throughout the week, we were joined by an incredible lineup of guest speakers who captivated our students with their unique craft and creativity. From personal stories to evocative poems, and stunning illustrations, each contribution inspired and engaged our young learners.
Some highlights:
📕Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones and Freedom, shared her award-winning historical fiction with Grades 4 & 5, sparking creative writing sessions.
📘Josh Lacey, @joshlaceybooks, and Garry Parsons, @icandrawdinos, the dynamic author-illustrator duo behind the Time Travel Twin series, led fun draw-alongs with EC, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-3.
📗Poet Adisa, @adisapoet, visited the whole school, combining performance with writing workshops.
The celebration wrapped up with a spectacular Town Meeting where students proudly shared their own poems, followed by a costume parade that brought our literary adventures to life!
A huge thank you to our amazing librarian, Ms. Suzanne, and Ms. Katy, for organising this memorable event! 🎉👏
#BookWeek #LiteraryCelebration #KensingtonCampus #ReadingCulture #GuestSpeakers #CreativeWriting #StudentPoetry #CostumeParade #InspiringYoungMinds #BookWeek2025
This week marks the start of Book Week, and we’re kicking things off with a look back at our unforgettable celebration from January! Our Kensington campus truly embraced the joy of reading and language, making it a week to remember.
Throughout the week, we were joined by an incredible lineup of guest speakers who captivated our students with their unique craft and creativity. From personal stories to evocative poems, and stunning illustrations, each contribution inspired and engaged our young learners.
Some highlights:
📕Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones and Freedom, shared her award-winning historical fiction with Grades 4 & 5, sparking creative writing sessions.
📘Josh Lacey, @joshlaceybooks, and Garry Parsons, @icandrawdinos, the dynamic author-illustrator duo behind the Time Travel Twin series, led fun draw-alongs with EC, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-3.
📗Poet Adisa, @adisapoet, visited the whole school, combining performance with writing workshops.
The celebration wrapped up with a spectacular Town Meeting where students proudly shared their own poems, followed by a costume parade that brought our literary adventures to life!
A huge thank you to our amazing librarian, Ms. Suzanne, and Ms. Katy, for organising this memorable event! 🎉👏
#BookWeek #LiteraryCelebration #KensingtonCampus #ReadingCulture #GuestSpeakers #CreativeWriting #StudentPoetry #CostumeParade #InspiringYoungMinds #BookWeek2025
This week, we welcomed back 42 of our #Westminster Grade 11 students who just returned from an unforgettable CAS volunteering trip to Kenya! 🇰🇪
In Nakuru, they dedicated their time to three local schools, where they taught lessons in sports, music, English, and mathematics. But their impact didn’t stop there! They also helped with construction projects, laying the foundation for new classrooms and improving existing school facilities. 🛠️📚
A highlight of the trip was organising a special celebration for the children, providing a meal they’ll never forget. They even had the chance to meet students` families and donate food supplies to those in need.
The journey didn’t end without experiencing Kenya’s vibrant Maasai culture, wildlife conservation efforts, and the breathtaking Maasai Mara.
This experience was more than just service; it was an exchange of cultures, joy, and lifelong lessons. We’re incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and compassion.
Asante sana, Kenya! Until we meet again!
#CAS #Volunteering #Kenya #ServiceLearning #CulturalExchange #ProudMoment #InspiringChange #ASchoolWithoutWalls #InternationalSchoolinLondon #IB #IndependentSchoolLondon #IBLearnerProfile #IBDP #DP
This week, we welcomed back 42 of our #Westminster Grade 11 students who just returned from an unforgettable CAS volunteering trip to Kenya! 🇰🇪
In Nakuru, they dedicated their time to three local schools, where they taught lessons in sports, music, English, and mathematics. But their impact didn’t stop there! They also helped with construction projects, laying the foundation for new classrooms and improving existing school facilities. 🛠️📚
A highlight of the trip was organising a special celebration for the children, providing a meal they’ll never forget. They even had the chance to meet students` families and donate food supplies to those in need.
The journey didn’t end without experiencing Kenya’s vibrant Maasai culture, wildlife conservation efforts, and the breathtaking Maasai Mara.
This experience was more than just service; it was an exchange of cultures, joy, and lifelong lessons. We’re incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and compassion.
Asante sana, Kenya! Until we meet again!
#CAS #Volunteering #Kenya #ServiceLearning #CulturalExchange #ProudMoment #InspiringChange #ASchoolWithoutWalls #InternationalSchoolinLondon #IB #IndependentSchoolLondon #IBLearnerProfile #IBDP #DP
London as a Classroom – our school motto - speaks to the incredible resources right on our doorstep. From world-class museums to vibrant local communities, we believe learning should extend beyond traditional classroom walls. But what happens when our students’ curiosity takes them even further?
This term, our #Hampstead Grade 2s explored the unit "Where We Are in Place and Time" and their curiosity led them far beyond London! They discovered the inspiring story of Laura Dekker @lauradekkeryouthsailing, the youngest person to sail solo around the world at just 14 years old.
Laura`s journey is one of courage, resilience, and determination – qualities we work to instill in our students. Inspired by her story, our Grade 2s reached out to her with questions about the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and how her sense of place and time shaped her adventure. And guess what? Laura responded with a personalised video, answering their questions with warmth and care!
This experience went beyond just asking questions – it was an example of what it means to be a true PYP learner. Our students were inquirers, knowledgeable, communicators, and open-minded thinkers. They demonstrated the power of curiosity and the importance of asking questions as a way to learn and grow.
#PYP #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #Inquirers #Curiosity #Grade2Adventures #LauraDekker #SouthbankInternationalSchool #EmpoweringLearners #ASchoolWithoutWalls #InternationalSchoolinLondon #IB #IndependentSchoolLondon #PrimaryEducation #IBLearnerProfile
London as a Classroom – our school motto - speaks to the incredible resources right on our doorstep. From world-class museums to vibrant local communities, we believe learning should extend beyond traditional classroom walls. But what happens when our students’ curiosity takes them even further?
This term, our #Hampstead Grade 2s explored the unit "Where We Are in Place and Time" and their curiosity led them far beyond London! They discovered the inspiring story of Laura Dekker @lauradekkeryouthsailing, the youngest person to sail solo around the world at just 14 years old.
Laura`s journey is one of courage, resilience, and determination – qualities we work to instill in our students. Inspired by her story, our Grade 2s reached out to her with questions about the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and how her sense of place and time shaped her adventure. And guess what? Laura responded with a personalised video, answering their questions with warmth and care!
This experience went beyond just asking questions – it was an example of what it means to be a true PYP learner. Our students were inquirers, knowledgeable, communicators, and open-minded thinkers. They demonstrated the power of curiosity and the importance of asking questions as a way to learn and grow.
#PYP #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #Inquirers #Curiosity #Grade2Adventures #LauraDekker #SouthbankInternationalSchool #EmpoweringLearners #ASchoolWithoutWalls #InternationalSchoolinLondon #IB #IndependentSchoolLondon #PrimaryEducation #IBLearnerProfile
As we welcome back our students after spring break, let`s hear from Southbank Student Council President Violet and former President Talia, who share their experiences of what it truly means to be a student at our school. From the diverse, global community to the challenges and rewards of studying the IB, they dive into what makes Southbank such a unique and inspiring place to learn.
Watch to hear their insights on leadership, academics, and the student experience! 💡✨ #SouthbankSpirit #IBLife #StudentLeadership
As we welcome back our students after spring break, let`s hear from Southbank Student Council President Violet and former President Talia, who share their experiences of what it truly means to be a student at our school. From the diverse, global community to the challenges and rewards of studying the IB, they dive into what makes Southbank such a unique and inspiring place to learn.
Watch to hear their insights on leadership, academics, and the student experience! 💡✨ #SouthbankSpirit #IBLife #StudentLeadership
Since September, our talented #Westminster Theatre ECA club has been hard at work on bringing the remarkable play `The Crucible` to life. Through dedicated rehearsals—carefully blocking each scene and fine-tuning every performance—the cast created a compelling and convincing show that captivated the audience on performance night.
Helping to make this production extra special, one of our talented Grade 12 students, Constantin Raff, took on a remarkable challenge—composing original music to accompany the play. Working closely with the production team, he created a score that enhanced the drama and brought key moments to life. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was hearing his compositions performed live by Southbank’s string ensemble. “It’s such a meaningful exchange between the composer and the players,” he shared. “I learned so much from their input, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them.”
This intense production explored complex themes of morality, guilt, blame, and human suffering, diving deep into the dark history of the Salem witch trials. Despite the heavy subject matter, rehearsals were filled with energy, teamwork, and plenty of fun moments along the way!
👏 Huge congratulations to our incredible cast for their dedication and passion, and a big thank you to Ms. Martin for her guidance and support!
You can read more about Constantin`s musical journey and composing for The Crucible on our School News page here https://www.southbank.org/school-news/southbank-student-contantins-musical-journey-composing-for-the-crucible-and-beyond
#TheatreMagic #StudentTalent #InternationalBaccalaureate #IBWorldSchool #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #secondaryeducation #London
Since September, our talented #Westminster Theatre ECA club has been hard at work on bringing the remarkable play `The Crucible` to life. Through dedicated rehearsals—carefully blocking each scene and fine-tuning every performance—the cast created a compelling and convincing show that captivated the audience on performance night.
Helping to make this production extra special, one of our talented Grade 12 students, Constantin Raff, took on a remarkable challenge—composing original music to accompany the play. Working closely with the production team, he created a score that enhanced the drama and brought key moments to life. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was hearing his compositions performed live by Southbank’s string ensemble. “It’s such a meaningful exchange between the composer and the players,” he shared. “I learned so much from their input, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them.”
This intense production explored complex themes of morality, guilt, blame, and human suffering, diving deep into the dark history of the Salem witch trials. Despite the heavy subject matter, rehearsals were filled with energy, teamwork, and plenty of fun moments along the way!
👏 Huge congratulations to our incredible cast for their dedication and passion, and a big thank you to Ms. Martin for her guidance and support!
You can read more about Constantin`s musical journey and composing for The Crucible on our School News page here https://www.southbank.org/school-news/southbank-student-contantins-musical-journey-composing-for-the-crucible-and-beyond
#TheatreMagic #StudentTalent #InternationalBaccalaureate #IBWorldSchool #MYP #DP #cognitaschools #wearecognita #internationalschoolinlondon #independentschool #InternationalCommunity #secondaryeducation #London
International community
A vibrant international experience
Southbank private school offers world-class teaching in a dynamic and exciting multi-national private school that’s perfect for preparing your child for university, their career, and the rest of their life.
As well as offering an internationally recognised qualification through the International Baccalaureate, our supportive community and outstanding extra-curricular programme will significantly build your child’s confidence and skills during their time with us.
Begin your Southbank Journey
Enter one of our Central London classrooms at our Hampstead, Kensington or Westminster campuses, and we’re sure you’ll be impressed by the confidence and creativity of our students as well as our exceptional teaching staff.
2* - 5 yrs old (*Conditions apply)
5 - 11 yrs old
11-16 yrs old
15 - 18 yrs old
Straightforward and simple
Find out more