Southbank International School vs TASIS The American School in England
🇬🇧 London · Side-by-side comparison on verifiable public data.
Both carry a public inspection verdict: Southbank International School is Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) "Met all standards (2024-2025, post-2023 framework)" and TASIS The American School in England is Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) "Met all standards (2023 routine, post-2023 framework)" — a rare pairing where an official quality rating can be compared head-to-head. One practical difference: TASIS The American School in England offers boarding while the other is day-only — decisive for families who need a residential option. Verify current fees against each school's own figures (see the table below).
Key Facts
| Southbank International School | TASIS The American School in England | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | IB | American / IB |
| Ages | 2-18 | 3-18 |
| Languages of instruction | English | English |
| Annual fees | £6,724-£16,033 per term (2025/26 Early Childhood half-day to DP; 2026/27 DP up to £16,033) | Day £15,600-£37,170/yr; boarding £69,650/yr (2026-27, inc. VAT) |
| Enrollment | 800 | 646 |
| Boarding | Day only | Yes |
| Inspection rating | Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI): Met all standards (2024-2025, post-2023 framework) | Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI): Met all standards (2023 routine, post-2023 framework) |
| Accreditations | IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP), Independent Schools Association (ISA) member, ISI-inspected independent school | NEASC, CIS, IB, ISA |
Strengths
- ✓Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) authorised end-to-end, ages 2-18, within one school
- ✓Strong published DP outcomes: Class of 2025 average of 35.4 against a 30.58 global average, with three perfect 45 scores
- ✓Highly international community of around 70 nationalities reinforcing genuine international-mindedness
- ✓Embedded EAL support enabling students with little or no English to access PYP and MYP
- ✓Central-London campuses across Hampstead, Kensington and Westminster offering catchment flexibility
- ✓Dual American Diploma plus AP and IB Diploma pathways, giving families genuine curriculum choice in the Upper School
- ✓Triple accreditation by NEASC, CIS and the IB, plus ISA membership and ISI inspection
- ✓Highly international community of more than 70 nationalities
- ✓Boarding available from age 13, with a green Surrey campus close to London and Heathrow
- ✓Dedicated International Section providing English-as-an-additional-language support
Trade-offs
- !Premium fees, with DP at up to £16,033 per term inc. VAT for 2026/27 plus deposit and capital charges
- !Recent ISI inspections use a met / not-met framework, so no top graded band evidences excellence
- !Programmes split across separate campuses rather than one continuous all-through site
- !Day-only school with no boarding provision
- !Fees sit at the premium end, with full-year boarding at £69,650 and senior day fees above £37,000
- !No published verbatim 'Excellent' ISI grade, as recent inspections use the met / not-met framework
- !Less suited to families seeking a British GCSE / A-Level route, which the school does not offer
- !Quantitative IB and AP results are not prominently published, limiting outcome comparison
Best Fit For
- • Internationally mobile families wanting a single IB pathway from age 2 to 18
- • Students who thrive in a multilingual, multinational peer group
- • Families targeting strong IB Diploma results for university entry
- • Children needing structured EAL support to enter an English-medium programme
- • American and international families wanting a US-style education near London
- • Students who may relocate within the global TASIS or US university system
- • Families seeking a choice between AP and the IB Diploma under one roof
- • Boarders aged 13-18 wanting a campus close to Heathrow
University Placement
School-reported · not independently verified
School-reported, unverified: Southbank describes itself as 'London's leading International Baccalaureate (IB) School' and reports three Class of 2025 students scoring a perfect 45, placing them in the top 1% globally.
School-reported, unverified: graduates pursue admission to universities in the United States, the United Kingdom and worldwide; specific destination data was not verified from a primary source.
More Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Southbank International School or TASIS The American School in England?
Southbank International School is best for: Internationally mobile families wanting a single IB pathway from age 2 to 18. TASIS The American School in England is best for: American and international families wanting a US-style education near London. The right choice depends on target curriculum, budget, and family priorities — the two are not linearly comparable.
How do fees compare between Southbank International School and TASIS The American School in England?
Southbank International School: £6,724-£16,033 per term (2025/26 Early Childhood half-day to DP; 2026/27 DP up to £16,033). TASIS The American School in England: Day £15,600-£37,170/yr; boarding £69,650/yr (2026-27, inc. VAT). Verify against each school's own published fees; some figures are sourced from third-party aggregators.
What curricula do Southbank International School and TASIS The American School in England offer?
Southbank International School: IB. TASIS The American School in England: American, IB. Southbank International School inspection: Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) "Met all standards (2024-2025, post-2023 framework)". TASIS The American School in England inspection: Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) "Met all standards (2023 routine, post-2023 framework)".
Do Southbank International School or TASIS The American School in England offer boarding?
Southbank International School: day school only. TASIS The American School in England: offers boarding.
Questions parents ask
This comparison is BrightKey's independent assessment using verifiable public data only. University-placement figures are school-reported and not independently verified. BrightKey takes no payments from schools. Our method →