Founded in 1997, BAISIS is dedicated to championing the academic and pastoral support of international students within UK independent schools. It defines and shares best practices in areas such as English as an Additional Language (EAL), visa compliance, and cultural integration. The association provides specialized training, conferences, and networking opportunities to help staff navigate the unique challenges of educating a global student body. Since 2020, BAISIS has operated as part of the BSA Group (Boarding Schools’ Association), strengthening its ability to support schools in delivering high-quality care to overseas pupils.
BAISIS Member Schools (28)
Mill Hill School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within 120 acres of parkland in North London. Established in 1807 by Nonconformist ministers and merchants, the school occupies grounds that formerly belonged to the botanist Peter Collinson. The campus features notable architecture, including the Greco-Roman School House by Sir William Tite and a chapel designed by Basil Champneys. The school provides a broad education that balances academic study with a diverse co-curricular programme, supported by facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and a dedicated theatre.
Mill Hill International is a co-educational day and boarding school in North London for international pupils aged 13 to 18. Situated on the 120-acre site of the Mill Hill School Foundation, it occupies its own refurbished campus at The Mount. The school provides a transition into the British education system, offering GCSE and A Level programmes with dedicated English language support. Students benefit from small class sizes while accessing the Foundation's extensive facilities, which include an indoor swimming pool, a professional-standard theatre, and vast sports fields set within traditional parkland.
Caterham School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in the Harestone Valley in Surrey. Set within a 200-acre campus, the school was founded in 1811 and moved to its current location in 1884. It provides a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on digital innovation, being recognised as an Apple Distinguished School. Facilities include a performing arts centre, a large sports complex, and extensive woodland used for outdoor education. The school fosters an environment focused on both academic achievement and personal development.
Kent College Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on an 80-acre site overlooking the historic city of Canterbury. Founded in 1885 as a Methodist school, it comprises a junior school, senior school, and sixth form. The school is notable for its working farm, which allows students to engage in agricultural activities. Facilities include the Great Hall for performing arts and extensive sports grounds. The curriculum offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, alongside a broad range of extracurricular activities.
Situated in the Sussex countryside in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, Bede’s Senior School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18. The school claims to offer a holistic education that prioritises individual interests, combining academic study with traditions in the performing arts and sport. Notable facilities include an on-site zoo housing over 70 species and the Legat School of Dance. Its ethos focuses on cultivating curiosity and ambition within an inclusive community that values personal growth and both creative and academic achievement.
RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Mickleham, near Dorking. Set within 40 acres of countryside, the school's centrepiece is Dalewood House, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Founded in 1959, it is a founding member of the Round Square movement, following the holistic educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. The school offers a choice between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a modern sports hall and grounds that support a range of activities, including outdoor education and traditional team sports.
The King's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Founded in 597 AD, it is widely considered the oldest school in the world. The school occupies a UNESCO World Heritage site, incorporating historic medieval buildings alongside modern facilities such as the Malthouse Theatre and the Birley Centre for music. Its ethos focuses on holistic development, offering a traditional academic curriculum complemented by extensive programmes in sport and the arts, all set within a unique scholarly environment.
Kensington Park School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in the heart of London. Established in 2017, the school operates across two sites on either side of Kensington Gardens: the Senior School in Bayswater and the Sixth Form, housed in a white stuccoed townhouse overlooking the Natural History Museum. KPS prioritises a personalised education with small class sizes and a modern curriculum. The school utilises prestigious local facilities, including Imperial College’s Ethos Sports Centre and Hyde Park, for its extensive sporting and co-curricular activities.
Royal Russell School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 110-acre parkland estate in Croydon. Founded in 1853, the school maintains a long-standing royal patronage. The campus features notable architecture, including a chapel and Great Hall designed by Sir Aston Webb. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals through extensive extracurricular programmes in sport, music, and drama. Facilities include a performing arts centre, modern science laboratories, and comprehensive sports pitches.
Rochester Independent College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Kent for pupils aged 11 to 19. Established in 1984, the college occupies an urban campus within a conservation area, featuring fourteen listed buildings connected by wildlife gardens. The school operates with an informal ethos where students do not wear uniforms and staff are addressed by their first names. Facilities include an underground theatre, garden classrooms, and sculptural musical gates. While maintaining its founding focus on mathematics and science, the curriculum also emphasises creative arts such as fine art, digital media, and film.
Aldro is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 7 to 13, located in Shackleford near Godalming. Founded in 1898 and relocated to its current Surrey site in 1940, the school operates with a Christian foundation. Set within extensive grounds, facilities include a rowing lake, an adventure island, and a swimming pool. The school focuses on the development of the whole child through a broad curriculum and co-curricular programme, preparing pupils for transition to leading senior schools via the Common Entrance pathway.
Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated within the 250-acre Hemsted Park estate near Cranbrook, Kent. Founded in 1923, the school is centred on Hemsted House, a Victorian mansion built in the 1860s. Its educational approach follows a 'Complete Education' model, which integrates academic study with professional skills and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated science centre, a professional-standard theatre, and a music school with a concert hall. The expansive grounds accommodate a variety of activities, including lacrosse, hockey, and equestrian sports.