TASIS The American School in England, usually shortened to TASIS England, is one of the longest serving American schools among the international schools in London and its commuter belt, founded in 1976 as the English sister of the original TASIS school in Switzerland. It sits on a campus of around 46 acres in Thorpe, in the Surrey borough of Runnymede, and educates day and boarding students from age 3 through to Grade 12. Unlike the central London Americans, TASIS pairs the American programme with the full IB Diploma, giving older students a genuine choice of exit qualification.
TASIS England at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | US curriculum, High School Diploma, Advanced Placement (College Board), IB Diploma Programme |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early Childhood to Grade 12 (roughly age 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Accreditation | CIS and NEASC accredited; IB authorised; inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate |
| Enrolment | Around 650 students (day and boarding) |
| Fee band | Premium, with a further supplement for boarding |
| Campus area | Thorpe, Runnymede, Surrey, near Egham in the western London commuter belt |
Curriculum and academics
TASIS England teaches an American programme from the Lower and Middle Schools, built on a core knowledge approach, then opens out in the Upper School into two pathways. Students can take the American High School Diploma supported by a wide menu of Advanced Placement courses, or sit the IB Diploma, or combine elements of both. That dual offer is the school's defining feature and the reason many families choose it over a single track school. The IB route connects to our IB curriculum pillar, while the American side follows the American curriculum with AP and the High School Diploma.
The school is well resourced across arts, sport and a structured university counselling operation that works to both the US and the UK application calendars. Leavers progress to North American, British and other international universities, where AP scores, the IB Diploma and the High School Diploma are all recognised. Families weighing the IB against the American route will find a direct comparison useful, and our compare tool puts schools side by side on programme, fees and stages. Some parents also look at the wider field of IB schools in London before settling on a single school.
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TASIS England fees
TASIS England fees sit in the premium band of the London international school fees range, rising by stage from the Early Childhood years to the Upper School, with full boarding adding a significant supplement on top of day tuition. The January 2025 introduction of 20 per cent VAT on private school fees lifted headline figures at independent schools across England, and TASIS, as a fee charging independent school, is within that change. The school publishes its current tuition by grade and by day or boarding place, which is the figure to rely on because it reviews fees each year.
As with other premium schools, budget for costs beyond tuition. These typically include a registration fee, a deposit to confirm a place, and charges for lunches, trips, certain activities and any bus service from the surrounding towns. Boarding families should also confirm what the boarding fee covers across term time. Because precise figures change annually, confirm the current day and boarding tuition and the ancillary charges directly with the admissions office before applying.
Admissions
TASIS England admissions run to a rolling annual cycle, with the main intake at the late August start of the academic year. Families apply through the school's admissions office, submitting prior school reports and references, and applicants are usually assessed or interviewed as part of the process. Demand for boarding places and for the most popular day entry points is high, so early application is sensible for families relocating to the London area.
The school is experienced with corporate relocation timelines and mid year moves, and can advise on availability by grade and on day or boarding options. Overseas families should factor in the documentation needed for child or student visas where applicable, and boarding families will complete additional guardianship and welfare paperwork. Once a posting near London is confirmed, early contact with the admissions team is the practical first step.
Location and who goes there
TASIS England occupies a green campus of around 46 acres in Thorpe, in the Surrey borough of Runnymede, close to Egham and within easy reach of the M25 and Heathrow. The setting is semi rural rather than urban, which is a large part of the appeal for families who want space, playing fields and boarding in the commuter belt rather than a city campus. Day pupils travel in from Egham, Virginia Water, Weybridge, Cobham, Windsor and the western edges of London.
The community is international with a strong American core, reflecting the school's history and its boarding intake, alongside British and dual nationality families and a wide spread of other nationalities. The surrounding towns hold long standing expatriate communities served by the same commuter network, which is why TASIS draws from a wide arc west of the capital. For how this western belt compares with the rest of the capital, the London city hub maps where the main expatriate communities settle.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are TASIS England fees?
TASIS England sits in the premium band for the London area. Day tuition rises by stage from the Early Childhood years to the Upper School, and full boarding adds a substantial supplement on top. The school publishes its current tuition by grade and by day or boarding place, alongside a registration fee, a deposit and charges for items such as lunches, trips and transport.
Does TASIS England offer the IB?
Yes. The Upper School runs the IB Diploma Programme alongside Advanced Placement and the American High School Diploma, so families can choose the IB route or the AP and Diploma route depending on the student and the universities they are aiming for.
Is TASIS The American School in England a good school?
TASIS England is a long established, fully accredited American school holding CIS and NEASC accreditation and authorised for the IB, with day and boarding places and a strong university counselling record. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and accreditation rather than score it.
When do TASIS England applications open?
TASIS England runs a rolling annual admissions cycle with the main intake at the late August start of the year. Demand for boarding and popular day entry points is high, so families relocating to the London area should apply early; the school also handles mid year moves.
Where is TASIS The American School in England?
It occupies a campus of around 46 acres in Thorpe, in the borough of Runnymede in Surrey, close to Egham and within the western London commuter belt near the M25 and Heathrow.
Does TASIS England offer boarding?
Yes. TASIS England is a day and boarding school, with boarding places mainly for older students in the Upper School. Day pupils are drawn from Surrey, west London and the surrounding commuter towns.
