Basic Information & Location
ACS Cobham International School is one of the four ACS international schools. It is a co-educational day and boarding school opened in 1967. The school comprises four divisions, serving students aged 2 to 18. Since one third of students are from North America, its educational program is predominantly American-based. Located at Surrey, the 128-acres campus is near London which takes 40 minutes drive from Heathrow Airport.
Academic Development
ACS emphasizes developing key learning dispositions with knowledge and skills. While in its vision, it stresses to ‘inspire all to make a difference’ which encourages students to see and enable achievement as their personal goal.
Owing to its multi-cultural background, ACS features its curriculum with international level, rather than British GCSE and A-Level. For students aged 16 to 18, it offers International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma (APCP), Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID), Advanced Placement (AP) courses. All successful graduates earn a US High School Diploma.
Owing to its multi-cultural background, ACS features its curriculum with international level, rather than British GCSE and A-Level. For students aged 16 to 18, it offers International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma (APCP), Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID), Advanced Placement (AP) courses. All successful graduates earn a US High School Diploma.
ACS has over 30 years experience of teaching IB. Since every UK university accepts IB, its students regularly enter top universities. It is also getting increasingly recognized in US and Canada.
While AP is considered the standard for academic excellence in the US. It is currently getting wider recognition as a quality university entrance qualification in Europe and the rest of the world. As for APCP, it is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth and specialized study provided through AP course. ACS Cobham is only one of the international schools in Europe to offer this programme.
For students aged 10 to 14, ACS’s middle school program prepares students to undertake IB and AP. In addition to core subjects, students study Languages, Drama, Music, Art, Health, and PE.
Its overall results is excellent. For class IB 2018, the highest score achieved is 41 over 45;12% of students achieved 38 and above. Its pass rate is 92%, while the average being 78.4.
According to the 2015 report of Independent School Inspectorate (ISI), the quality of students’ achievement and learning were graded ‘excellent’. Its success was described as ‘(students showing) high levels of cooperation, creativity, application and independence with characterise the learning of many students throughout the school.’ Also, students with SEND could achieve at levels equal to their peers.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
ACS is providing separate wing accommodation for over 100 boys and girls aged between 12 and 18. It believes boarding experience should encourage positive involvement, which suggests students engaging in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.
In 2017, a new boarding house was established with high levels of natural light and ventilation, and commanding views across its woodlands. Except from the single and twin rooms, there is a triple-height atrium, multiple social areas, kitchenettes, lounges and study areas, and extensive landscaped areas and a BBQ.
As for pastoral care, throughout the daily care, the Head of Boarding and resident House Parents would identify and promote each student’s learning skills. Thus, academic progress can be better monitored and guided. Moreover, they can help deal promptly and sympathetically with any persol situation that may arise.
Extracurricular & personal development
Understanding the value of co-curricular activities in helping to provide a balanced school experience, ACS organizes many events that draw together artistic, cultural, interpersonal, intellectual characteristics to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Regarding its sports development, it runs an extensive athletic programme fielding Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School teams. Athletes will compete against other international schools in the UK, Europe, and Africa. Each varsity season concludes with an International Schools Sports Tourment (ISST), where ACS Cobham ‘Cougars’ have established a winning tradition.
Regarding its arts development, a multitude of displays, exhibitions and performances provide students with channels to explore and broadcast experiences and perspectives.
The main thrust of the programme is student enrichment and participation. For every year, at least six theatre productions are staged. Students are able to explore all aspects of stagecraft including those in regional theatres, on stage and off.
Music performance programme is rooted in the curriculum, with event opportunities that include mini-concerts, recitals, talent shows and charity fundraisers, as well as whole-school choral and instrumental shows, and a bi-annual Spring Concert.
Students can also participate in the year round ACS Camp which welcomes students from all four ACS schools. Students can experience an abundance of co-curricular opportunities that nurture and celebrate individual character, help develop social skills to get along with others, whilst building self-esteem and self-reliance.
