Alexanders International School (AIS), established in 1975, is an international boarding school for boys and girls, ages 11-17, from all over the world. Students come to our school as the first step towards a successful school and university education in England. We provide the ideal bridge, emotionally and academically, to the challenge of mainstream boarding schools and colleges in Britain.

We offer intensive English language and academic preparation programmes for international students. After Alexanders our students go on to study at a variety of schools and programmes in the United Kingdom, including A levels and the International Baccalaureate. The British Council has accredited the quality of the English language element of all of its courses. The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) has assessed the quality and standards of education at Alexanders and has rated the School as “Good”.

We help students set achievable goals and work toward them. In return for our commitment to their education, we ask from students a readiness to participate fully in our school community. They establish life-long friends in this respectful environment and look back on their time at Alexanders with affection. 

Mission and Aims

We aim to provide a balanced academic curriculum, social programme, and pastoral care to meet the individual needs of overseas students who wish to enter and be successful in English schools and colleges.

Excellence of academic opportunity is our first priority. We help students to improve their academic ability in the core subjects of English Language, Maths, and Science and in a range of other courses including Business Studies, Art, Global Perspectives, Music, and Information and Computing Technology (ICT). Students establish a firm foundation for the specialist vocabulary needed in each subject, adapt to different teaching and learning styles, and develop a variety of study skills.

Socially, students can choose from a range of different activities such as sports, crafts, music, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, and a programme of excursions at weekends. The Social Programme is a key factor supporting students learning English language and British culture as preparation for joining the English educational system.

Alexanders International School offers the highest standards of quality in its pastoral provision. There is a friendly atmosphere, close supervision and professional care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A family atmosphere promotes the idea of community and respect. 

Facilities

Alexanders International School is located on the Bawdsey Manor Estate with 120 magnificent acres (48 hectares) of grounds set in an Area of Outstanding Beauty on the Suffolk Heritage Coast. On campus we have the offices for Administration and teachers, fifteen classrooms, an ICT room, Wi-Fi, an Art Centre with impressive displays of student work, and four student residences.

Sports and recreational facilities include numerous grass pitches for football, rugby and softball, tennis courts, basketball court, playing fields, squash court, sand pit for beach volleyball, weight room, and badminton hall for aerobics, volleyball, and badminton. Qualified instructors teach at our on-site and RYA accredited Water sports Sailing Centre.

Registered Examinations Centre

Alexanders International Schools is a registered centre for the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is the part of the University of Cambridge that provides qualifications for learners of English. The exams are well known for their high quality assessment of real English, as used in everyday work, study and leisure situations.

Cambridge ESOL certificates are recognised by thousands of organisations throughout the world for study and work purposes.

Students who reach the required standard can be entered for the following English Language Examinations at Alexanders.  Examinations are held on certain dates throughout the year so students' course dates must coincide with these.  Students are usually entered two months before the date of the examination.

KET Key English Test

The first level Cambridge ESOL examination, at level A2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

PET Preliminary English Test

An intermediate level examination, at level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

FCE First Certificate in English

An upper intermediate level examination, at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.  A qualification at this level will help a student to gain a place at a UK Boarding School.

CAE Cambridge Advanced Certificate

The second highest level Cambridge ESOL examination at level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, this is regarded as the minimum qualification for university entrance in this country. For more information about these Examinations go to: http://www.cambridgeesol.org

Preparation for IELTS - International English Language Testing System

You can be prepared for an IELTS assessment at Alexanders.  English medium universities in the UK and overseas usually expect a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (on a scale 0 to 10 points).