Admissions FAQ

We are located in Cobham, a town in North Surrey.

Distances:

• 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport
• 30 miles from Central London
• Closest rail stations are Esher and Cobham

We have an extensive busing service that connects to London and Surrey.

Our admissions process does not involve an entrance exam.

Our online application process takes a holistic approach, assessing each candidate individually by reviewing previous school records, references, questionnaire answers and standardised test scores.

We also ask you to provide any Individual Education Plans (IEP), psychological assessments, occupational therapy, language reports or medical reports. We will ask students entering Grades 8 to 12 to sit an EAL assessment depending on educational background.

This helps us understand the complete student, giving us a real insight into who they are today and how we can make them ready for tomorrow.

 At ACS Cobham, we welcome students from age 2 to 18 years.

We start at 8.30am and finish at 3.30pm, except for Wednesdays when we have an earlier finish of 2.30pm.

We offer a variety of after-school clubs and activities. This starts in our Lower School for students aged 4 to 10 years old.

We offer a variety of clubs in our Middle School.  In our Upper and High School there are over 30 clubs organised by our students.

We follow an international grade system.

Starting from our Flopsy Bunnies for children aged 2 – 3 through to Grade 12 (UK Year 13).

Please visit the Grade Placement chart on our Admissions Process page to see the comparison to the UK year group system.

With annual rolling admissions, we welcome new students throughout the year.

Our families value the ACS community and endeavour to remain a part of the community for as long as is feasible.

However, we understand that there can be a lot of change in circumstances, and we support all decisions made when coming and going.

Our students follow a future-forward, international curriculum.

They are exposed to a broad range of subjects which are regularly updated and adapted according to the most recent academic research and global contexts.

We offer a holistic approach to education which encourages students to develop responsibility for their own learning – teaching them ‘how to learn’ rather than simply ‘what to learn.’

We align our curriculum to rigorous international standards, preparing students to undertake the widely-recognised academic programmes including the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) whose graduates are sought after by the world’s leading universities.

Most universities accept IB and the AP programme as a qualification and some will provide course credit.

In the UK, UCAS gives great currency to IB diplomas. IBDP points equate to UCAS points and are accepted in all international universities. UK universities also accept AP qualifications.

We welcome students who need services for Special Educational Needs (SEND).

Students are challenged and supported in inclusive classrooms and specialist teaching environments so that they can equitably access the curriculum.

ACS serves students with mild to moderate learning needs at all Grade levels, both subject to admission requirements and available spaces. We are not able to support students with severe behavioural, emotional, or learning difficulties.

We have more than 70 different nationalities represented at ACS Cobham and we welcome students  for whom English is an Additional Language.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support is available as immersion from age 2 to  Kindergarten, EAL support from grade 1 to 8 and Transitional English for grades 9 and 10.  Students entering grade 8 to 12 will be assessed as entrance is dependent on language proficiency.

We have families from all corners of the world, representing over 70 nationalities in each school.

Due to our busing service at each school, this enables many local families and families located in a broad catchment area to commute into school. Each UK school offers both shuttle services and door-to-door services and a late bus option.

Our current cohort is 25% British/Local, 22% American and 53% other nationalities.

At ACS International Schools, we ensure that every student is well supported in each classroom.

We have smaller than average class sizes.

At ACS Cobham, our extensive sports programme combines the very best of international and independent school sport.

Our ethos is participation, enjoyment and excellence. With an expert team of more than 70 dedicated coaches and first-class facilities on our beautiful campus, we are able to deliver an exceptional student experience.

We have something for everyone, with opportunities to play at after school clubs or represent the school at competition level.

We encourage the widest participation and highest possible standards from the 70+ teams we field each year under the banner of ACS Cobham Cougars.

We offer sports such as swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, athletics, tennis, golf and cross country.

The perfect balance to a rigorous academic curriculum like ours is an equal measure of co-curricular and extra-curricular energy.

From football to craft clubs, Model United Nations to drama productions, we have something to increase the capabilities of all our students.

With expert facilitators, students perfect known skills, discover new interests, and quickly realise that new challenges are often the most rewarding motivators.

No, but we offer means-tested bursaries to children living in the local area who have the right to remain.

These financial awards range up to 100% of our full tuition fees. All bursaries are strictly means-tested, with each award dependent on the student’s individual circumstance.

We offer Middle School bursaries for students aged 11 or 13, and High School bursaries, for students aged 16.

Yes we offer after school care for children aged 4 and upwards which is our Pre-K Grade. In our Lower School we offer an extended day club until 6:00pm.  In our Middle School for children aged 10 to 14 we offer a range of after school clubs as well as standard after school care in our library every day until 5:30pm. For our Upper and High School for students aged 14 and above we offer a wide selection of student led clubs as well as an extensive after school sports programme.

Yes we offer taster days at the request of our new families with our admissions team. This is for children aged 4 and above.

ACS Cobham International School has a long history of welcoming overseas families, and it offers a wide range of support systems to ensure a smooth transition both for students and their parents. Here’s how ACS Cobham helps settle international families:

Dedicated Admissions & Transition Teams
Experienced Admissions staff guide families through the entire process, including visa questions, school tours, and curriculum orientation.

Welcome Programmes
New Family Orientation Days are held before school starts, helping families meet staff, tour the campus, and learn about school life.

Buddy Systems pair new students with current ones to ease social integration.

Parent welcome sessions introduce key contacts and school routines.

Language Support (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for students who need help adjusting to instruction in English.

Specialist teachers work with children in class or in small groups to build confidence and fluency.

Strong Parent Community (PSO & PAFA)
The Parent Student Organisation (PSO) are very active. They organise regular social events, cultural celebrations, and support groups.

“Welcome coffee mornings,” local area tours, and WhatsApp groups help new parents connect.

Boarding Support (if applicable)
For boarding families, there’s 24/7 care with staff who are experienced in helping students from abroad feel at home.

Weekend activities and cultural trips are arranged to help boarders explore and bond.

Cultural Sensitivity
ACS celebrates diversity: students come from over 60 countries.

Regular international days, mother-tongue support, and cultural awareness are part of the school ethos.

Yes, we offer mid-year enrolment depending on availability.

Each student is assigned a homeroom teacher (Lower School) or advisor (Middle/High School).

On-campus counsellors and a strong pastoral care system help students settle emotionally.

Wellbeing programmes are built into the curriculum.