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Gateway College - Colombo

Sri Lanka, Colombo

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Part of
Gateway College Sri Lanka
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages Sinhala, Tamil, French
Typical class size 25
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Located in Rajagiriya, Gateway College Colombo serves approximately 2,000 students from ages 2.5 to 18. The school operates as a co-educational day school and instructs primarily in English. Students progress through a British-based framework, with secondary pathways including Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, and Cambridge A Levels. Uniquely for Sri Lanka, the school also offers the Australian South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) as an alternative to A Levels, alongside a BTEC Foundation Diploma in Sport. Campus life incorporates an active co-curricular program with over 30 clubs, including specialized groups like the Aviation Club, Robotics, and the Model United Nations. The 4.5-acre site integrates a dedicated physical education framework, with teams recently winning regional championships in netball and squash. Gateway College also directly integrates computing and data science diplomas into the secondary framework via NCC Education, giving senior students dual qualifications before university entry.

This campus is part of Gateway College Sri Lanka

Via Parliment Road, 185 Koswatta Road, Off Royal Garden Rd, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte 10100, Sri Lanka

The Essentials

Gateway College - Colombo has 2,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English.

Location
Colombo campus is located at 185, Koswatta Road, Rajagiriya (Via Parliament Road, Off Royal Gardens). The 4.5-acre campus hosts almost 2,000 students and features state-of-the-art facilities.

Stages
Foundation to Graduation. Primary and Secondary schools run from Play Group through Year 13. IGCSE is offered in Years 10–11 and AS/A2 in Years 12–13.

Type
Private international school

Country affiliation
Sri Lanka
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform includes a periwinkle blue shirt with the crest and 'Gateway to Learning' motto; a tie and school scarf; a midnight-blue blazer for A-levels; and a grey skirt for girls or grey trousers for boys.

House System
There are four houses named after the first four Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka: Don Stephen Senanayake, Dudley Shelton Senanayake, Sir John Lionel Kotelawala, and Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike.

Governance and Ownership
Gateway College Colombo is part of the Gateway Group, governed by a Directorate and a Board of Directors. The founder was Ralph Ignatius Thomas Alles; current leadership includes Dr Harsha Alles (Chairman) and Mrs Rohini Alles (Managing Director), with Mrs Dinali Alles, Mr Asoka B. Herath, Mr RAMANTHA ALLES, and Ms ANISHKA ALLES serving on the Board.
Fees
Application / Registration Fees

- A non‑refundable application / registration charge is required to secure a place. Independent listings place a typical one‑time admission/registration charge in the range of LKR 50,000 to LKR 200,000 for international‑style schools in Colombo; Gateway College is listed by independent school directories as charging a one‑time admission/registration amount within this general band.

Tuition fees (by year group) — per term and typical annualisation

- Gateway College does not publish a public line‑by‑line fee table on its main public pages. Independent school fee guides and market summaries therefore list estimated per‑term ranges for Gateway and comparable Colombo international schools. These independent estimates show:
- Early years / Foundation stages (Nursery / Reception): commonly in the lower end of international school bands and typically less than secondary year levels (estimates vary).
- Primary (Years 1–6): estimated per‑term ranges in the broader market commonly fall around LKR 120,000–450,000 per term, depending on campus and services.
- Lower secondary / middle school (Years 7–9): estimated per‑term ranges typically sit above primary and are often quoted in the mid‑range of Colombo international school term fees (examples in the market indicated per‑term figures between LKR 250,000 and LKR 500,000).
- Upper secondary / IGCSE / A‑Level / SACE (Years 10–13): estimated per‑term ranges for senior secondary often appear at the top of the school's per‑term band; independent sources indicate upper secondary term fees that can exceed LKR 400,000–600,000 per term at premium Colombo schools.

- The independent market summaries above convert to typical annual tuition figures by multiplying term amounts by three (three terms per academic year is the standard billing rhythm used across international schools in Sri Lanka). These are market estimates rather than an official published Gateway College fee schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The prevailing billing model for international schools in Colombo (including Gateway‑type schools) is term‑based billing across three terms per academic year; tuition is invoiced on a per‑term basis and is normally payable in advance of the term start. Many school fee guides and fee regulation documents for comparable schools state payment terms such as payment due within 15 days of invoice or prior to term commencement. Expect the school to follow a similar termly invoicing schedule.

Boarding / residential fees

- Gateway College is advertised and listed as a day school with standard daily hours; there is no public indication of an on‑site boarding/hostel programme for the Colombo campus. Therefore no regular boarding / residential fee line item applies for Gateway College Colombo.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Expect additional compulsory and optional charges beyond tuition: common items include uniforms, textbooks and workbooks, examination/registration fees for external exam boards (IGCSE/A‑Level or SACE), activity/co‑curricular fees, ICT/device charges, and transport (school bus) fees. Market summaries for Colombo international schools commonly list these as recurring annual or per‑term charges and identify uniforms, transport and textbooks as the most frequent additional costs. Typical additional cost examples from market guides: uniforms and starter packs, transport LKR amounts that depend on route, and exam fees charged by external awarding bodies.

Refunds and deposits

- The common practice among international schools in Colombo is that the admission/registration fee and seat reservation payments are non‑refundable. Seat reservation payments are frequently deducted from the first term's fee when a family accepts the offered place. Refund and withdrawal procedures are normally governed by the school's admissions / fee policy; independent fee regulation examples for comparable schools show non‑refundable registration/entrance fees and specific terms for partial refunds only in narrowly defined circumstances. No public, itemised Gateway College refund policy / schedule was located on the school's public pages.

Fee payment options

- Market sources and directory listings for Colombo international schools indicate standard payment methods in the sector: bank transfer (telegraphic/bank deposit), online payment gateways (card payments), and in some cases cheque or in‑person payment at the school's accounts office. Some schools in Colombo also use third‑party payment facilitation platforms. Expect Gateway College to accept bank transfers and card payments via the school's payment channel or the group payment platform used by the Gateway network.

Brief summary of availability of official fee details

- An itemised, up‑to‑the‑penny Gateway College Colombo fee schedule (per year group, with per‑term and annual lines) is not published in a clearly labelled public fee page on the school's main public site. Independent school directories and Colombo fee guides provide the market estimates and the practical details above; where precise, official line‑by‑line amounts are required for a database, the school's admissions/accounts office should be contacted to obtain the formal, campus‑specific fee schedule and the current academic‑year invoice format.
Academics

Gateway College - Colombo teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The school teaches a curriculum modeled on the English National Curriculum, with adjustments reflecting changes in education and the global context. It incorporates local history, culture and civil society to ground students in their world. The Gateway Curriculum Prism visually represents how academics, sports, co-curricular activities and character development are integrated to support holistic growth. The curriculum prepares students for university and life. It is presented through an interactive online guide for exploration.

Higher Education Progression
Gateway students continue to secure admission to universities in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan with many studying in top-200 universities according to Times Higher Education rankings. Some students receive scholarships, including up to 100% from reputed universities. Popular destinations include Stanford University, MIT, University of Cambridge, UC Berkeley, University of Chicago, Imperial College London, University of Pennsylvania, UCL, Columbia University, University of Toronto, NUS, NYU, University of Edinburgh, University of Melbourne, University of British Columbia, HKU, McGill and University of Manchester.

Gifted and Talented
The co-curricular programme includes many clubs and societies across campuses, with more than thirty options. Gateway has dominated national and international Model United Nations competitions and encourages participation in events such as COMUN, Harvard MUN and MUN at The Hague. Co-curricular activities are recognized at the College Awards Day.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Mindfulness programme in the Secondary school includes five minutes of mindfulness practice each morning to enhance attention and focus. Primary students from Year 3 upwards participate in three minutes of mindfulness each morning. The MindUp curriculum is introduced in HomeRoom sessions from 2022 and is an evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program grounded in neuroscience, with four pillars: Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, Mindful Awareness and SEL. Mindfulness and short religious observances after the interval support emotion regulation, better behaviour, greater empathy, improved social skills and reduced test anxiety.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches English and Tamil. English courses are delivered through traditional lessons, blended learning and e-learning, with courseware from UK publishers such as Cambridge, Pearson and Delta. All programmes in BigSpark are designed according to the CEFR to meet international standards, and courses are carried out in partnership with Cambridge and Pearson.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a core aim, with the mission to promote wellbeing and happiness by enhancing spiritual, moral, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Mindfulness and daily religious observances support emotion regulation, empathy and social skills, contributing to emotional well-being and reduced anxiety. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to mental wellbeing as part of its curriculum and student experience.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding ethos is central to Gateway College, fostering a calm, disciplined, respectful, caring and ethical environment for children. Every student engages in religious observances and mindfulness daily, and religion teaching has been restructured to include learning about other religions to promote safeguarding of values and inclusion.
Parent Experience

History
Gateway College was established in 1997 in a converted house with 33 students and eight teachers. In January 2005, it changed from Gateway International School to Gateway College, signaling a new era in the history of the school and in the international school system of education in Sri Lanka. In 2013, the motto changed from 'Gateway to Knowledge' to 'Gateway to Learning', reflecting the belief that the key future skill is the ability to learn. Provision of learning of the highest global standards while retaining the culture of the land was the raison d'être for the establishment of Gateway College, creating an international school experience in a Sri Lankan environment. Students engage in daily religious observances and a variety of religious, charitable and social service activities throughout the year, and Gateway moved to a hybrid model of teaching and learning in 2020.

Community
Gateway College fosters a Sri Lankan environment where students of different nationalities learn to belong and to respect local customs, norms and values. Students engage in daily religious observances and a range of religious, charitable and social service activities throughout the year. The student–teacher relationship is friendly and the management style is firm, fair and supportive. This approach reinforces a cohesive school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Gateway College Colombo provides education from Play Group to Degree Level under the Foundation to Graduation theme. The Foundation School consists of colourful classrooms with separate reading corners, a spacious music room, a multipurpose room with a mini library, an IT suite and an indoor play room; the outdoor play area is equipped with modern equipment. Primary and Secondary schools are equipped with modern libraries, Science laboratories, Design and Technology laboratories, and rooms for Art and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music, Math Lab and Innovation Studio, plus an Auditorium and several ICT suites. Interactive Whiteboards are used in classrooms, and Internet access is provided in the Secondary School; a Bring Your Own Device policy operates at the A Level, and the School-On-Line system automates many processes. Class sizes are capped at 25 students per class.

Sports Facilities
Gateway College Colombo has a strong sports program with dedicated courts for basketball and badminton, and a range of other sports offered across campuses. The school lists 13 sports and supports competing at inter-school events; students represent Sri Lanka in athletics, swimming, basketball, netball, chess, rowing, football, tennis, badminton, karate and scrabble. The Colombo campus supports rowing with a fleet of boats at the Colombo Rowing Club. Swimming is integrated into the curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 2, and the school fosters a culture of athletic participation and achievement.

Academic Facilities
The school offers a Foundation School with a music room, mini library and IT suite, plus an indoor play room, while Primary and Secondary campuses house modern libraries, Science laboratories, Design and Technology laboratories, and dedicated spaces for Art and Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music, Math Lab and Innovation Studio. An Auditorium and multiple ICT suites support learning, and landscaped play areas provide outdoor learning spaces. Interactive Whiteboards are used in classrooms, and Secondary School classrooms have Internet access to support research; a BYOD policy is in place for A Level students. The School-On-Line system automates many processes to streamline administration.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Gateway offers a wide array of co-curricular clubs and societies across Colombo and other campuses, including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic societies; Business Club; Debating Club; ICT & Photography Club; Drama Club; Model United Nations; Science Society; Innovation and Robotics; Community Service; Astronomy/Aviation; English and French clubs; Sinhala, Maths, Art, Interact, Environmental, History, and other clubs. Co-curricular activities are recognised at College Awards Day, and Gateway encourages participation in national and international events such as MUN competitions. Clubs vary by school, with examples of broad participation and opportunities for leadership and teamwork.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has a comprehensive range of extracurricular activities, including more than thirty clubs and societies and a strong Model United Nations programme with national and international recognition. The school has students who compete in the Inter-International Schools Athletics Championship (ISAC) and in inter-school drama, debating and Shakespeare competitions, often earning awards. The school has annual plays and digital art and photography exhibitions that showcase student work.

Arts & Creative
The school has annual plays and concerts and digital art and photography exhibitions. The school has a Drama Club that supports theatre initiatives, and Gateway schools stage public plays and host an inter-house drama competition each year.

Cultural & Language
The school has a multi-cultural and multi-religious identity, with dedicated observances for Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic traditions. The school has Vesak lantern competitions, Bhakthi Gee, Sil Campaign, Dhamma discussions, Islamic Day, Christmas carols, Saraswathi Pooja and Holi as annual events across campuses. Avurudu celebrations are observed in April across the community.

Social & Hobbies
The school has more than thirty clubs and societies across campuses, offering opportunities to participate in teamwork, leadership and community events. The school has Debating, MUN, ICT, Drama, English Literary Society, Environmental, Interact, Photography, Art and many other clubs, with achievements recognised at College Awards Day. The school has a culture of encouraging participation in national and international events.

Community & Service
The school has Community Service and Social Responsibility activities through dedicated clubs and programmes. The school has students contributing through volunteering initiatives and local projects as part of the co-curricular framework.

Leadership & Professional
The school has leadership development embedded in co-curricular activities, with formal recognition at College Awards Day. The school has The Founder's Award for Advanced level students, designed to develop volunteering, internships, skills and sport as a pathway to higher education and life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has a Mindfulness programme in the Secondary School with daily 5-minute mindfulness practice, and MindUp curriculum introduced in HomeRoom sessions from 2022. The school has pastoral care and trained counsellors to support student wellbeing, and after-interval religious observances support emotion regulation and social skills.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses the English National Curriculum as the basis for its curriculum.
Reputation

Awards
Highest number of High Achiever Awards at the Annual Edexcel Awards Ceremony during the last eight years

Accreditations
An International Teaching Institution of Pearson Edexcel
An Associate School of Cambridge International
An approved institution of the SACE board
A Microsoft Showcase School
A Duke of Edinburgh Independent Award Centre
An accredited SAT test centre of the College Board, USA
A registered Institution of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA)
A Member School of ECIS, the Educational Collaborative for International Schools that is headquartered in London
Microsoft Centre for Excellence
A SLT EdTech Specialist School
A Dialog DigiEdu Model School
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit online application. Gateway College initiates the admissions process by online application. The Join Gateway College page provides a link labeled 'Click to submit your online application' for this purpose. Colombo contact details are available for inquiries.

2. Choose programme after OL/IGCSE. After OL/IGCSE Gateway offers multiple pathways: 4 Advanced Level subjects (50+ combinations); 3 Advanced Level subjects with a Level 4 Diploma in Computing; 3 Advanced Level subjects with a Level 4 Diploma in Business; 3 Advanced Level subjects with ATCL Diplomas in Performing; 2 Advanced Level subjects with a Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Sport; Australian Secondary Certificate of Education (SACE) which is equivalent to AL; The International Foundation Programme as an alternative. Completion times: AL by June 2025; SACE by November 2024; Foundation by June 2024.

3. Registration for final stage of schooling. Gateway College Colombo opened registration for post OL/IGCSE students to complete their final stage of schooling. The programme commences on the 21st of June and offers a wide range of options to plan for Higher Education. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach; courses are designed to support timely completion for university entry. The completion times for AL (June 2025), SACE (November 2024) and Foundation (June 2024) are noted.

4. University admissions counselling. Gateway has partnered with a leading international higher education counselling organisation to give students maximum support in gaining admission to universities of their choice. Higher-grade students receive one-to-one guidance in selecting universities, preparing applications and writing personal statements.

5. Scholarships. A limited number of scholarships are available for students who have excelled in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities. Some scholarships have been awarded up to 100% of tuition.

Scholarships
Gateway College Colombo offers scholarships for its own programmes to students who excel in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities. A limited number of scholarships are available. Some scholarships provide up to 100% tuition coverage.
School Events
The school has not added events
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