What People Say About Us
"All students are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education." "Parents are very positive about the teaching, the curriculum, the extra-curricular activities, and the professionalism of the management of the school." "The quality of the students' personal development is outstanding." "Students have excellent social awareness and contribute to school life enthusiastically." "Students' cultural development is excellent and is at the heart of the school's philosophy of internationalism." "(Students) receive outstanding pastoral care that strongly supports their personal development." "The school is outstanding at accommodating new students from around the world." "The school has developed an outstanding partnership with parents, carers and guardians." "Excellent communication between home and school is characterised by an open-door policy that operates extremely well." "The (EYFS) provision has many excellent features. The EYFS offers a rich, stimulating environment both indoors and out, with a curriculum based on an inclusive approach that meets the diverse needs of students. Very good use is made of the many cultures and backgrounds of the children themselves, and of London as a resource." "Outcomes for (EYFS) children are excellent. They have a positive attitude to their learning and demonstrate excellent enjoyment through eager participation and motivation." ISI Inspection Report 2010. Click here to read the full March 2010 inspection report by the British Independent Schools Inspectorate.
"It is great I am in the school and I love my teacher. I love being in this class" Ben
"Well it has been really good at Southbank because there have been lots of opportunities to learn different things. The teachers are really lovely. I'm surely going to miss all my friends... I am going to miss here" Tomasso, who relocated in December 2009.
"My first term here at Southbank has been a wonderful experience! I feel very lucky to have found such a great home in Southbank!" Allyson Eno, Kindergarten Teacher
"Reflecting on my first term at Southbank, the overriding impression is of a vibrant learning community with students who are interested and interesting, and staff who are keen to share good practice and learn more. My class is lively and keen to make connections in their learning, keeping us all on our toes. In only three months we have been all around the globe culturally in our Beliefs Unit of Inquiry, appreciated some of the world's most stunning feats of architecture and enjoyed some great literature together. What new delights will 2010 bring?" Shirley Harwood, Grade 4 Teacher
"Hello, my name is Noam. This is my 6th year at Southbank and this school means so much to me and my family. I couldn't think of a better school with such nice people. I thank this school for teaching me things and making me great in lots of subjects, especially math. This school gave me good friends. Maybe I don't know what other schools feel like but I am sure this is the best."
"Hi my name is Jamie and I have been at Southbank for 7 years since EC 3. I am 9 years old and so have spent most of my life here, so Southbank is a bit like my home. Being a Southbanker means people saying hello to you in the mornings and having lots of friends, I think if I was at a different school it might be different. I feel privileged to be in this school."
"Hi, my name is Keiko and I'm in Grade 5. When I came to this school I was only 4 years old. Over the last 7 years Southbank has transformed me from a shy little girl who wouldn't even dress up for the Book Character Day, into someone who has developed the confidence to recite a piece on the cello in front of their class, to MC town meetings and events, to represent my class...I'd just like to thank all the teachers that have taught me through the years, and Milton (Toubkin) for thinking up such a school, where they not only teach you academically but they also teach you how to be a real Southbanker."
A new parent settling in at Southbank: "It is a pleasure getting an understanding of the class, the methods of communication and learning at Southbank. It has been a refreshing change for me and had an unbelievably encouraging and positive affect on my son. The changes we have seen have been enormous and it is lovely to have the piece of mind to be able to let go knowing we all have the same ultimate goal. Our decision to choose Southbank for our son was the correct one."
A parent reflecting on her family's time at Southbank: "My son's class of 15 were from 12 different nations, the school represented the globe. It was remarkable. And in his words, no one picked on anyone because everyone was different. There was no common norm. It was race relations utopia."
Here is just a tiny sample of the dozens of thank you cards and letters we receive every year:
"Our son has blossomed yet again during another beautiful year at Southbank. All thanks to the ethos of the school and the professional, caring teaching. Thanks!"
"We first sent our daughter to Southbank when she was just 3 years young. Besides being the youngest child at Southbank she was also physically the smallest little girl in EC3. We were so concerned that she was too young, small and vulnerable for us to let her go but for the same token it was important to let her experience an organised environment with other children her own age. How right we were. Thanks to Southbank we have seen her grow from that tiny toddler into a confident, knowledgeable and happy little girl. We have come across a unique approach to education and a team of teachers who work together to help children achieve the best they can do while absorbing the values that can only be admired. We are constantly amazed at the wide range of knowledge our daughter has accumulated in the four years she has been at Southbank and we are extremely happy to see her develop so well in so many fields. If we were asked to point out one teacher who stands out of the rest we would have a serious problem as we think that they have all done their job so well. We are sure our daughter will miss Southbank, we definitely will!"
"Southbank has been an exceptional place for my son and our family...The staff, education, teachers and administration were fantastic...We particularly enjoyed the Suzuki program and the international flare...Thank you for the wonderful experience we have had this past year."
"When my kids were at Southbank I used to joke that the teachers must be giving pony rides and chocolate cake every day because the kids never seemed to want to leave. I am mystified by what Southbank managed to do. With no tests, few rules, no discernible pressure, and an extremely manageable amount of homework, my children were completely well-prepared to step into the American school system at 9 and 12 years of age. What Southbank does, I believe, is produce children who know how to think and love to learn, and both of those qualities will enable them to readily adapt to their next educational environment, wherever it may be."
"I have grown so much as a person while being here and I have picked up so many skills that I never would have learnt or applied anywhere else. The School has prepared me for anywhere I will go"
"Oh what a lot you have given our family: your thoughtful guidance, insight and kindness...We are sad that circumstances require our departure, but feel confident and fortunate that we will forge ahead imbued with the spirit of Southbank!"
"Thank you for what you've done for our boys. You've challenged and nurtured our boys through ‘what life is' when you're 6/7 and 9/10. Your teachers are true professionals and I respect and really like them."
"Under your care I have seen my children blossom. They have loved every minute of their time at school and have truly taken on the PYP profiles and attitudes which I know will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives. Most of all they are happy to learn. ...I have loved being part of the life of the school and have learnt so much from watching the teachers. We will miss Southbank immensely and are very sad to be leaving."
Susan, a former student of Southbank Hampstead, came to visit us four years after she left the Middle School. She reported that, after her five years at Hampstead, she felt she knew who she was. She entered a new school where she noticed that the other students had little sense of identity and, although they were good students and good friends to her, she noticed that they spent the whole four years of high school trying to figure out who they were. Susan felt she had "found herself" at Southbank and gave credit to her years here.
"Good family orientated urban school with international flavour. Well geared for the smart, curious and self-motivated student, but the average student would do very well here." Good Schools Guide 2008.
