Established in 1976 by the Founder M. Crist Fleming and owned by the TASIS Foundation, TASIS The American School in England is a leading co-educational, independent day and boarding school providing a truly international learning experience for over 600 students aged three to 18, with boarding available for students starting in Grade 8 (ages 13-18).
The School’s beautiful 46-acre campus is located 18 miles southwest of London and eight miles from Heathrow Airport. Students from over 50 nations thrive in an environment where they are encouraged to become lifelong learners, develop international mindedness, and take responsibility for their community and the environment through service leadership.
Each student is provided with multiple pathways through TASIS England’s curricular and co-curricular programs, designed to inspire their learning and challenge them to strive towards their personal potential.
Mission and Values
Mission
TASIS England nurtures intellectual curiosity and emboldens each learner to flourish as a principled, openminded, and compassionate member of a global community.
Commitments
- To promote multiple pathways for each learner throughout the learning environment, the programs, and the community.
- To nurture the intellectual curiosity that will prepare each learner for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
- To encourage continuous personal growth through active engagement and the desire to seek and learn from experiences. Through a balance of support and challenge, students flourish as creative, reflective, and resilient owners of their learning.
- To foster connections and collaboration in the community of learners by cultivating supportive relationships and celebrating the unique contributions of each member.
Outcomes
- Life-long Learning cultivates curiosity, exploration, and discovery, emboldening individuals to embrace a culture of learning and celebrate the journey of continuous development toward personal fulfillment.
- International Mindednesspromotes the exploration, communication, and celebration of diversity. Being curious and open-minded to the richness of perspective within our global community creates a desire to flourish through action and service.
- Service Leadershipfosters empathetic, compassionate, and principled individuals who take responsibility for sustaining healthy relationships with themselves, their families, their communities, and their environment.
Person Behind the Success
Bryan Nixon joined TASIS England as the Head of School in June 2017. Prior to arriving at TASIS England, he led international schools in locations as varied as the Bahamas, Germany, and the United States over the course of his long career in education.
Bryan built a strong leadership team and focused on partnering with the entire school community to create an updated school Mission and three-year strategic plan.
During Bryan Nixon’s leadership, a wide range of initiatives have been introduced and the School has been continuously improving its performance in all aspects of what defines a high performing school.
- Development of a Hybrid Learning Program so students are able to seamlessly transition between face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous learning depending on their needs and circumstances.
- Bespoke scheduling is available to provide individualised learning experiences for all students and a balance of challenge and support, while students can pursue their own academic goals, learning pathways, and interests.
- Four-year university counseling program to ensure students receive timely guidance and support from a team of four college counselors.
- Formalized student support programs in Student Counseling, English-as-an-Additional Language (EAL), and Learning Support.
A three-year “Flourishing Plan” was developed in 2019 and includes the following resources:
- A Wellness Center providing access to dedicated spaces on campus to allow time for reflection, prayer, meditation, or quiet time.
- Student Voice initiatives helping students engage in and develop their well-being.
- Mental Health First Aiders – Dedicated emotional counselors across all school sections including evening boarding support
- Annual “Flourishing School” survey, a school-wide initiative to provide informed interventions for its approach to the students’ well-being.
- Mindfulness courses: for students in Grades 8 to 10 as well as faculty and staff.
- Introduction of dedicated boarding house parents and support workers to create genuine home-away-from home feel.
- Creation of a Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) working group with representatives from all parts of the community.
In addition to the above, TASIS England’s extremely low teacher turnover (at 7%) and high student retention (over 80%) is exceptional for an international school.
Academic Programs, Accreditations, Specializations
TASIS England is inspected by The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
It is also accredited by:
- The Council of International Schools (CIS)
- The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The School offers the following programs:
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses that are recognised by universities and colleges in the UK, in the US, and across the world.
- A choice of international and American curricula and a traditional academic program.
- Robust Sports and Activities programs as well as dynamic travel and student leadership opportunities.
- Extensive Visual and Performing Arts programs.
- Four-year College Counseling program.
In Future
Having successfully achieved the objectives of the 2018 – 2021 Strategic Plan, TASIS England will develop its next three-year strategic plan starting in Spring 2021. This mission-focused plan will ensure that the School continues to promote opportunities for individualised student learning through both the curriculum and the co-curricular programs. In addition, the development of a new 10-year Master Plan will consider potential future campus development projects inclusive of additional classrooms, the renovation of Theatre, Music, and Sports facilities, and how to continue to upgrade facilities to maximise the efficiency of the technology now utilised daily within teaching and learning.
