Top Tips for Finding the Best Schools for Expats in London

Moving to London is an exciting prospect, but no relocation comes without its challenges and ensuring a continuous education with minimal disruption for expat children is high on the list of immediate concerns. Expat parents can find building a list of potential international schools in London difficult, especially when researching and deciding from afar.

The best schools for expats offer a transferable curriculum to support academic continuity, and a diverse community to provide a sense of familiarity. Expat children tend to be remarkably adaptable, thanks to their global worldview shaped by growing up in a blend of cultures. However, it’s still important to choose carefully and make sure that the international school suits your individual child’s needs and aspirations.

Read on for our top tips for finding the best expat schools in London, and get in touch if you have more questions.

Check the Curriculum

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognised educational system that’s transferable between countries, and is a common choice for expat families. An international curriculum offers a good level of continuity from their previous school, and most IB schools in London offer a high degree of flexibility and breadth so that expat children can tailor their academic experience to suit them.

At ACS Hillingdon, our rigorous academic programmes include the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) and Advanced Placement (AP). Our flexible international curriculum allows students to tailor their course selection to reflect their aspirations and provide them with a good balance of academic challenge. In addition, the extensive co-curricular programme that we offer helps to strengthen learning within the classroom and build well-rounded individuals. It’s designed to enable ambitious learners to excel and go on to leading universities in the UK, the US, and the rest of the world, and to prepare them for the workplace.

Visit the Campus

When looking for an IB school in London, the best way to get a true sense of it is to visit the campus in person, also with your children if possible. This isn’t always easy to do when you’re living abroad, but if you can make the trip then it’s well worth it. Walking around the school buildings and wider campus with your children will help them to imagine themselves studying there, and you’ll meet some of the teaching staff who will have a direct, day-to-day influence on your children. At ACS Hillingdon, we offer open days and personal tours that can be booked via our website.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you tour the campus:

• If you can visit during term time, ensure you visit the classrooms while they’re in use. Are they organised, tidy and well-equipped? And are the children actively engaged in their learning?
• Notice the facilities that the school offers, based on the skills and interests of your child/ren. It’s useful if you have a list in mind before you visit, because it’s easy to forget once you’re there. If your child is particularly sporty, for example, then you might like to spend a little more time exploring the indoor and outdoor sports and gym facilities. Likewise, if they are musical, then you’ll want to spend time with music teachers to find out a little more about rehearsal spaces, equipment and opportunities on offer. Other areas of interest could be the library, science labs and arts rooms.
• What’s the general atmosphere like? Does it feel welcoming? Do children and staff look happy as they move around the school? A positive environment is hard to measure, but you’ll get a good sense of it when you’re there in person.
• Consider the diversity of the entire school community while you’re there, as well. Your child will likely be transferring from an international school with a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Is that reflected at this school, and will they feel at home here?
• Don’t forget to find out more about the extra-curricular and social activities that are on offer too, and make sure they’re suited to your child’s interests. This can often be overlooked, but it’s an important part of school life and your child/ren need plenty of opportunities to pursue hobbies and try out new experiences.

Of course, there are times when visiting in person just isn’t an option, but most IB schools in London understand this and offer a virtual tour on their website. This is a helpful way to acquaint yourself with the campus even when you’re in a different country, or even continent.

Readiness along with Results

At ACS Hillingdon, we place great importance on readiness: preparing children for life beyond education. Our IBCP is a great example of this in action, supporting children who already have a specific career in mind. Of course, a school’s exam results are also a good indicator of its overall impact, and reviewing previous exam results will help you understand how the international school is performing against its competitors. Any school with consistently high IB grades will be doing a lot right in terms of providing a well-rounded education and rigorous curriculum.

About ACS Hillingdon

ACS Hillingdon offers expat children a diverse and future-forward curriculum, a vibrant, international community and exceptional facilities. Conveniently located in West London with door-to-door and shuttle bus options and also very close to Heathrow, the school is set against a historic backdrop with a green and spacious campus. We understand that moving schools is a big decision, and we help parents to feel reassured that their children will feel accepted here. ‘Welcoming everyone’ is one of our guiding values, and this shows in everything we do.

ACS Hillingdon is part of ACS International Schools, a dynamic, people-focused charity inspiring the world’s next global thinkers and doers. ACS International Schools educate over 2,400 students, aged 2 to 18, day and boarding, from more than 70 countries. Along with its other two campuses at Cobham and Egham, all three schools are non-sectarian and co-educational.

If you’re searching for the best schools in London for expats, we’re really happy to answer your questions and help you and your child with a seamless transition – get in touch via our admissions page.