St George's International School

Since August 2021, Dr Ruth Norris, MA (Cantab) and DPhil (Oxon). Liverpool-born (Wirral actually, very close!), started tutoring while a grad student at Oxford, got hooked and never left education. Career has spanned a mix of UK schools: teacher at

Parents rave: ‘Walking in for the first time was like getting a giant hug,’ said one. Transitioning into school life ‘felt like we’d always been here,’ said another.

Special kudos for the admissions team, who juggle language and cognitive tests,

The hand-holding starts early: year 11 sees mock exams, early planning chats and frank advice on IB subject choices. Year 12 introduces predicted grades and discussions on universities or pathways, hitting a sweet spot between focus and panic.

In 2025, all 34 IB students passed with an average of 35 points (global average was 30). Two students achieved 45 (out of a possible 45). Forty-two per cent achieved the bilingual diploma.

In IGCSE, 22 per cent A* (or equivalent 8-9), 49 per cent

Starts young here with 18-month-olds who toddle into the early learning school, getting their first taste of the Inspired Education approach in a French/English bilingual bubble. Junior school (3–10 years old) carries on the bilingual approach and

No sweeping tricky stuff under the carpet. School asks for medical and psychological information upfront to carefully assess whether mild-to-moderate needs (ADHD, dyslexia, slow processing) can be met.

Teachers proactively spot issues and are

Individual language pathways start at entry. New to English or French? Straight into the language acquisition programme (LAP) you go – extra in-class support (no additional cost) and extra lessons for the first six to 12 months (for a fee).

School

Under the head’s watchful eye, students are expected to throw themselves into the smorgasbord of activities on offer. ‘Strongly encouraged’ is school-speak for ‘you’re doing something,’ and parents love it.

Music is huge. Private lessons (extra

If you have a sporty child, you’ve hit the jackpot with this school. Parents call the programme ‘incredible’, with one commenting that it was ‘a big part of why we chose the school.’ Yes the sporty thrive, but late bloomers also find their groove and

Boarding is a cosy, friendly affair with around 100 boarders living literally above the classrooms (sleep in, anyone?). Rooms are modern, bright, spacious, all ensuite (some Jack & Jill), some with jaw-dropping lake-and-mountain views. Girls get

Strong pastoral care - life skills classes, calm teachers and parents say staff genuinely care, with no one left eating lunch alone. Tutors know their students inside-out, often spotting strengths (and wobbles) before parents do, and help balance

A proper cultural cocktail with around 60 nationalities, with Swiss the biggest group (12 per cent), then Brits, then French, plus a sprinkling of everyone else from Shanghai to São Paulo. Add together a healthy dose of Nestlé parents (more KitKats

Owned by Inspired Education Group, so plenty of capacity for facility upgrades and new academic projects. Nsouli Scholars Programme: globally open to 50 students across 121 Inspired schools on full scholarship.

Alpine swagger meets academic ambition - a school where your child can master the IB, hit the ski slopes and star in a musical without missing a beat. Classes are small, opportunities huge and teachers are good at coaxing students to do their best.