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Why choose ISL?

  • At ISL we don’t just teach - we inspire: From age 3 to 18, our students master the world-renowned IB curriculum through a blend of academic rigour and hands-on discovery.
  • Preparing our pupils for their global future: Our ethos and community diversity allow your child to build a cultural intelligence that will secure their future in tomorrow’s global workforce.
  • Green spaces, big ideas: Our forest school cultivates a deep respect for nature, a commitment to sustainability and develops personal resilience making the most of our unique location on the edge of the 200-acre Gunnersbury Park, which also hosts ISL’s state of the art sporting facility at the Gunnersbury Sports Hub.
  • Cultivating excellence: We balance high academic expectations with a dedicated focus on personal wellbeing, we develop happy and confident individuals.

Introducing the 2026 Founder’s Award

To honour our founder, Nadim Makarem, and to reflect our inclusive ethos, we are making a world-class education more accessible. We are offering a fee award to a limited number of new students to show we truly believe in our mission:

  • Generous support: More substantial than typical West London independent school scholarships.
  • Non-selective: Available to prospective new students from early Years to Year 12 (UK) / Grade 11 (ISL) for local long-term residents (5+ years).
  • Limited opportunity: Only 60 places are available with this award.

For more information visit our Founder's Award page.

ISL 2025 academic highlights

We don't sacrifice results for wellbeing — we achieve results through wellbeing:

  • Top score: 44/45 (Placing students in the top 1% globally)
  • High achievers: 30% of students scored 38+ points (The equivalent of 3 A* at A-Level)
  • Average score: 33 points, consistently outperforming the global average.
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ISL - The modern advantage

Choosing the right curriculum is about more than just exams - it’s about how your child learns to think.  That’s why many London families are choosing to bypass the anxiety of standardised testing by choosing the ISL IB pathway:

 

The independent school linear route

The ISL
IB advantage

Exam pressure

High-stakes 11+ and GCSE cliff-edge assessments.

No 11+ or GCSEs - Continuous growth without the exam-season burnout.

Academic scope

Early specialisation (narrowing subjects at 14 and 16).

Broad & balanced - Students excel in sciences, arts, and languages simultaneously.

Global standing

Domestically focused; qualifications may require equivalency checks.

The gold standard - Recognised and preferred by top universities worldwide and in the UK.

Learning style

Often involves rote  memorisation and  teaching to the test.

Inquiry-based - Emphasises independent research, critical thinking and reflection.

Life skills

Focus is primarily on academic grade output.

Leadership ready - ISL develops Cultural Intelligence [CQ] as well as IQ/EQ creating rounded individuals for the modern global workplace.

Experience the ISL difference

The best way to understand our unique spirit is to see it in action. Join us for a personalised tour of our West London campus, meet our leadership team and discover a school where your child truly belongs.

Ready to start the journey?  Fill out the form to book your visit or to find out more.
 

Virtual Tours

Our Admissions team provide a range of options for families who can't visit us in person. Meet the Admissions team online using Microsoft Teams or Zoom, take a virtual tour around our school and facilities below, as well as phone or email at times convenient to your time zone. 

Virtual tour