ACS Egham
The Educatus Explorer team were impressed from the outset by the beautiful, green thirty-six-acre campus at ACS International School Egham. The setting is calm, spacious and thoughtfully designed, with a blend of traditional and modern buildings centred around an impressive historic mansion house. The campus has a strong sense of identity, combining heritage with a modern international school environment. The drone footage below provides an excellent overview of the school’s impressive setting.
A campus rich in history
At the heart of the campus sits the striking Mansion House, a historic Victorian estate originally built in 1876 for the Farlow family. Rich in heritage, the building has played many important roles over the years - from supporting wartime operations during the Second World War to serving as a rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen and civilians - before becoming home to the school in 1995.
A sense of heritage runs throughout the campus, sitting alongside a clear focus on forward-thinking education that defines the school today.
A fully IB-focused school with global outlook
ACS International School Egham is a fully IB-focused school, exclusively delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. This dedicated approach enables both staff and students to fully embrace the IB philosophy, fostering intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and a genuine lifelong love of learning. Teachers are global experts with many of them being IB examiners, workshop leaders and involved in inspections or accreditations, the experience of which further enhances the education at the school.
Academic standards are high, with students consistently outperforming the global IB average. The school’s culture of ambition, challenge and personalised support ensures that students thrive academically while also enjoying coming to school each day. Graduates regularly secure places at leading universities worldwide, reflecting the strength of the school’s academic achievement and holistic educational approach.
The school has also contributed to the 2026 University Admissions Officers Report which can be viewed here, exploring the value of the IB and its reputation among higher education institutions. ACS Egham takes pride in offering highly bespoke university preparation for applications to the UK, US and universities around the world.
Personalised learning and transition support
A key strength of ACS Egham is its commitment to meeting each student where they are, which is particularly valuable for families relocating from different countries and education systems, including many from the local area. Students are carefully supported on entry to ensure continuity in learning and a smooth transition into the school, helping them settle quickly and thrive.
This personalised approach continues throughout the school, supported by small class sizes, with a maximum of 22 students, though the average is around 16. Where classes become larger, they can be split, as the school aims to remain flexible and welcoming to new students wherever possible.
Older students also benefit from dedicated spaces for study and socialising, helping to foster both independence and a strong sense of community.
Sport, facilities and co-curricular life
Beyond the classroom, sport and co-curricular life play an important role in the culture of the school. Facilities are strong, including a purpose-built sports centre, multiple courts and a large “bubble” sports hall.
During our visit, we observed an energetic basketball practice and learned about the school’s competitive team, the Jaguars. As well as competing with other schools nationally and internationally, they also take part in friendly fixtures against fellow ACS schools, with Cobham known as the Cougars and Hillingdon as the Hawks.
The school has also recently invested in a brand-new e-sports room and offers a wide range of clubs and activities running after school until 1600 or 1730, including drama, music, Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. A structured trips programme further enhances learning, offering both local and international experiences across year groups, carefully designed to enrich education while being mindful of family costs.
Support, wellbeing and inclusion
Special educational needs and inclusion support at ACS Egham is tailored to individual need. For students with English as an Additional Language, additional support can be provided both in and outside the classroom, with tools such as the Oxford Placement Test used to assess levels and guide provision. The school also recognises the importance of maintaining home languages alongside English development.
Pastoral care is clearly embedded, with strong systems in place to support wellbeing, including access to a school counsellor. Communication with families is a clear priority, with regular updates from the Head through newsletter video messages known as the Jaguar Jamboree, helping to maintain transparency and connection with the wider community.
Parents play an active role in strengthening community life. There are weekly coffee mornings and a regular programme of events for families, including a community Welcome social , the great ACS Egham Bake Off and our annual International Fair. During our visit, it was clear how this helps create a welcoming and well-connected environment, particularly for new international families joining the school.
At Educatus, we recognise how important this is during relocation, helping families build early connections and feel supported as they settle into a new country and school community.
Transport and accessibility
The school also benefits from an extensive bus network covering a wide surrounding area. This provides strong accessibility for families and demonstrates flexibility, with the school often exploring options for those on the edges of existing routes where possible. You can view the current bus routes here.
Final thoughts
The Educatus Explorer finds that ACS International School Egham presents itself as a calm, welcoming and academically focused school with a strong international identity. From its historic campus and exclusive IB curriculum to its personalised approach to learning and strong co-curricular offer, it provides a well-rounded and supportive environment for students.
It is a school that successfully combines heritage, academic ambition and community, creating an environment where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially and globally.
