Southbank International School Westminster is the senior campus families reach when researching the international schools in London for the secondary and sixth form years. It is the Fitzrovia home of Southbank International School, a long established IB World School, and it concentrates on the older students. Spread across sites around Portland Place, Conway Street and Cleveland Street, it teaches the Middle Years Programme and the two year Diploma to students aged 11 to 18, taking them on from the school's primary campuses and through to university.
Westminster campus at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme |
|---|---|
| Stages | Age 11 to 18 (boys and girls) |
| Opened | Westminster campus opened 2003 |
| Accreditation | Part of Southbank International School, an IB World School |
| Type | International senior day campus, co educational |
| Fee band | Premium London international school |
| Campus area | Portland Place and Fitzrovia, City of Westminster |
Curriculum and academics
The Westminster campus teaches the senior phases of the International Baccalaureate. Students begin with the Middle Years Programme, which keeps the breadth of subjects while building the academic skills and independence the later years demand, then move into the two year Diploma Programme at 16. The Diploma asks students to study six subjects across languages, sciences, humanities and the arts, alongside the core of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service.
For internationally mobile families the appeal is a recognised, globally portable sixth form qualification taught in central London by a school with deep IB experience. Because Westminster is the senior arm of a through school, many students arrive from the school's primary campuses having followed the Primary Years Programme, giving a continuous IB pathway. Families who want the full picture can read our profile of the wider Southbank International School, which covers all three campuses.
Comparing central London IB senior schools?
Put up to three schools side by side on curriculum, stages and fees, then take the quiz to shortlist schools that fit your family.
Southbank Westminster fees
Southbank Westminster fees sit in the premium band of the London school fees market for international schools, and as a senior campus its fees are at the higher end, with the Diploma years the most expensive. The school publishes its current termly and annual figures by year group, which is the figure to budget from. The January 2025 introduction of 20 per cent VAT on private school fees applies and is reflected in the published figures.
Beyond tuition, families should plan for a registration fee when applying, a deposit to secure a place, and the usual extras for examination entry, school trips and optional activities, which weigh more heavily in the senior years than in primary. There is no boarding. To bring tuition and the additional items into one annual figure before you commit, use our fee calculator, and confirm the current published fees with the admissions team.
Admissions
Admission to the Westminster campus is rolling rather than tied to a single deadline, which suits families relocating to London mid year. Places are filled as they arise across the Middle Years and Diploma year groups, and the school assesses academic readiness and any English language support needs as part of the process. Entry into the Diploma also involves confirming subject choices and ensuring a student's previous schooling provides the right foundation.
Availability varies by year group, and sixth form places in particular can be competitive, so relocating families should enquire early about the specific year they need. The admissions team can advise on the documentation required, on any assessment, and on how a student's prior qualifications map onto the IB programmes. Students arriving from the school's primary campuses transition into the senior school as a matter of course.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits in Fitzrovia, in the City of Westminster, across sites around Portland Place, Conway Street and Cleveland Street, all within a short walk of one another. It is close to Regent's Park, the BBC's Broadcasting House and the West End, and exceptionally well connected by underground and bus. The central setting suits older students who use the city as part of their education, from museums and galleries to universities on the doorstep.
The student body is international, drawn from many nationalities, and the campus serves families living across central and west London as well as those who began at the school's primary sites. For how Fitzrovia and Westminster compare with Kensington, Hampstead and the other neighbourhoods where expatriate families settle, the London city hub sets out the wider map of areas and schools.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community. If you have experience of the Southbank Westminster campus, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Southbank International School Westminster fees?
The Westminster senior campus sits in the premium band for London international schools, with the highest fees in the Diploma years. The school publishes current termly and annual fees by year group, which is the figure to use, alongside registration, a deposit and extras such as examination entry and trips.
What does Southbank International School Westminster teach?
It teaches the IB Middle Years Programme and the two year IB Diploma Programme to students aged 11 to 18. It is the senior school of Southbank International School, taking pupils on from the primary campuses.
Is Southbank International School Westminster a good school?
It is the established senior campus of a long running IB World School, offering a full MYP and Diploma pathway in central London. We do not assign a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its programmes and entry rather than score it.
When do Southbank International School Westminster applications open?
Admissions are rolling across the year, with places filled as they arise rather than to a single deadline. Diploma entry involves confirming subject choices. Relocating families should enquire early and confirm assessment with the admissions team.
Where is the Southbank Westminster campus?
It occupies sites around Portland Place, Conway Street and Cleveland Street in Fitzrovia, in the City of Westminster, all a short walk from one another and close to Regent's Park and the West End.
