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Stafford International School

Sri Lanka, Colombo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees LKR 150,000 - 275,000
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1500
Type Co-educational
Opened 1986
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Sinhala, Tamil, French, German
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Stafford International School is a day school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, delivering the British National Curriculum with Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations. The school has been a Cambridge International Examinations center since 2015 and began offering Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL exams in 2019. English is the primary medium of instruction, with Sinhala, Tamil, French and German taught as additional languages. The campus includes an auditorium, indoor cricket nets and a basketball court, and its central Colombo location provides access to a wide range of facilities nearby. The school serves up to 1,100 students, with an average class size of 22 and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10. Stafford maintains a nurturing pastoral care system and emphasizes drama and the arts, including a drama program and annual stage performances. A broad range of sports and clubs, including Interact Club and Model United Nations, support extensive co-curricular life and global awareness.

37 Premasiri Khemadasa Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka

The Essentials

Stafford International School has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
37, Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.

Stages
Early Years; Years 1 - 4; Years 5 & 6; Middle School; Ordinary Level; Upper School.

Type
Day School

Country affiliation
Sri Lanka
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
All students must wear the school uniform during school hours. Girls wear a white shirt with a blue knee-length skirt (trousers with written permission are allowed) and a vest from Year 5 onwards; boys wear a white shirt with blue trousers. Hair must be neat, jewellery limited to simple ear studs, and black shoes with white socks; PE kit is worn on PE days.

House System
The school has a House System with four houses: Felix, Kalan, Noreen and Ruby. Pupils belong to a house for their time at Stafford and participate in regular inter-house competitions and in leadership roles; houses are overseen by a housemaster and a team of tutors.
Fees

Annual tuition at Stafford International School ranges from LKR 150,000 to LKR 275,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No fixed application, registration or entrance-fee amount is published in the school's publicly posted fee materials. Parents should confirm current application/registration charges directly with the school's admissions office.

Tuition fees (termly) and estimated annual totals by section

- Junior School (Playgroup to Year 4): termly fee around LKR 150,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 450,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

- Middle School (Years covering roughly ages 10–15 / Form 1–3): termly fee rising to LKR 220,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 660,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

- Sixth Form (Lower Sixth to Upper Sixth / A-levels): termly fee LKR 275,000; annual tuition (three terms) approximately LKR 825,000. (figure given for the 2024–2025 academic year).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are billed on a termly basis and must be paid before the commencement of each term. A full termly fee is charged if a student withdraws during a term.

- A 5% incentive/discount applies to the termly fee if payment is made before the due date shown on the invoice; once the due date passes the discount is no longer valid and the full fee is payable.

- The school's management reserves the right to revise fees and fees are subject to change.

Boarding fees

- Stafford International School operates as a day school and does not publish or offer boarding/residential provision; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and inclusions

- The stated termly fee is described as inclusive of photocopying charges and other extracurricular activities. Additional costs commonly associated with schooling (uniforms, textbooks, specialised equipment, examination entry fees, transport) are not listed as included and are not itemised in the school's public fee notes.

- No published single-line prices for uniforms, textbooks, transport or exam-entry charges were located in the school's publicly posted materials. Independent Sri Lankan school guides note that schools commonly charge separately for uniforms, excursions, exam entries and transport.

Refund, withdrawal and re‑entry charges

- Admission fee and term fee payments are non-refundable.

- Withdrawal notice: 90 days' written notice (normally one full term) is required prior to a student leaving; failure to give this notice will render the following term's fee payable. A full term's fee is charged if withdrawal occurs mid-term.

- Re‑joining charges: if a student re-joins after one year the school will charge 50% of the admission fee; if re-joining after two years or more, 100% of the admission fee will be charged.

Fee payment options

- The school's public materials do not list specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, cheque) or a detailed payment gateway. Independent Sri Lankan school guides report that some international schools in Colombo use online school-payment platforms such as MyFees.lk to manage payments; this has been reported in third-party school guides and listings. Parents commonly use bank transfer or card payments where the school or payment platform supports them, but specific supported methods should be confirmed with the school.
Academics

Stafford International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
Edexcel and Cambridge Curricula; Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations; Cambridge International Examinations center since 2015; British Curriculum Education introduced in Sri Lanka in 1986.

Student Teacher Ratio
Teacher to student ratio 1:10; average class size 22.

Exam Results
In 2022, 63% of A-Level grades were A*/A; in IGCSE, 50% were A*/A.

Higher Education Progression
Recent university destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Harvard; in 2022 a Head Boy received a full scholarship to Harvard; other students have offers from NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai.

Gifted and Talented
The Sixth Form Scholarship program recognises excellence across Academic Scholarships, Sports Scholarships, and Speech & Drama Scholarships; scholarships can cover up to 100% of day fees; candidates may apply for up to two scholarships; awards are based on performance and potential.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Wellbeing is central to Stafford International School; every student is supported to feel safe, valued, and respected. The school actively manages mental health and wellbeing to help students engage in academic and social activities and develop resilience. A Positive Education Programme blends academic learning with character and wellbeing development. The programme equips students with life skills to cope with everyday pressures and pursue their goals. Wellbeing education focuses on six elements: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. Pastoral care and the house system support ongoing personal development and provide a channel of communication with staff and families.

Mental Wellbeing
Stafford International School prioritizes mental health and wellbeing for all students. The Positive Education Programme blends academics with character and wellbeing development. The six elements of wellbeing are Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. A strong pastoral care system provides tutor support and a student wellbeing team to monitor progress and wellbeing. The student support team includes a Whole of School Counsellor who collaborates with tutors to support students academically, professionally, and personally. The House system provides structure for mindful reflection and resilience.

Safeguarding
All teaching staff have regular safeguarding training to spot signs and respond to concerns. A team of Child Protection Officers guides staff and serves as a first point of contact for pupils seeking help. Stafford maintains a Child Protection Policy to govern safeguarding practices. The Child Protection Team includes Mr Northcott, Ms De Silva, Ms Avanthi, Ms Herft, Ms De Mel, and Ms Ramanayake. The safeguarding framework ensures all children feel safe and secure at school.
Parent Experience

History
Stafford International School traces its heritage to 1986, when it became one of Sri Lanka's pioneers in introducing the British curriculum for international education. Stafford College, founded in 1959 by philanthropist Felix R. De Zoysa, provided higher education for students unable to gain admission to government schools. In 1986 the school adopted the Stafford International School name and became a pioneer in delivering the British National Curriculum in Sri Lanka, moving to 37 Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7. In 2015 Stafford became an approved Cambridge International Examinations center. In 2019 the school began offering both Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations as an approved center for both boards.

Community
Visitors to Stafford International School are welcomed into a warm, family-like community that extends across classrooms, shared spaces, sports fields and stages. The school emphasizes a safe, supportive environment and a genuine partnership with parents and families, supported by a high staff-to-pupil ratio and pastoral care focused on pupil wellbeing. The school also promotes global citizenship and cultural awareness through activities such as Model United Nations and environmental clubs, alongside a broad co-curricular program.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has an auditorium, indoor cricket nets, and a basketball court on campus. The central Colombo location provides access to a wide range of sporting facilities within five minutes. Over 1500 pupils participate in extracurricular activities each week. Drama and the arts are a focus, with a drama program and annual stage performances. Stafford maintains a nurturing pastoral care system that supports pupil wellbeing.

Sports Facilities
Sports are a central part of life at Stafford. Athletics, football, karate, badminton, basketball, mini tennis/tennis, swimming, cricket and chess are offered. Swimming is practiced daily at Otters Aquatics Club. A recent U18 cricket match against a local rival was held at the P. Sara Oval Stadium, and minor sports use local pitches and courts for tennis, badminton, martial arts, yoga and dance. Stafford Girls' swimming team was ranked all-island 3rd in the Novices swimming championship in 2019, and the school won the under-15 Tennis and under-20 Inter-international School Tennis championships in 2018.

Academic Facilities
Languages taught include English, Sinhala, Tamil, French and German. The school operates as a day school. The maximum number of students is 1100, with an average class size of 22 and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10. Stafford was established in 1986 as a pioneer in British Curriculum Education in Sri Lanka. In 2015, Stafford became an Approved Cambridge International Examinations center, and since 2019 offers Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations.

Extra Curricular Facilities
In addition to sports, a wide range of clubs and societies are offered, including Interact Club, Debating Club, Model United Nations, Gavel Club, Media Club, Social Services Club, Art Club, Scrabble Club, Science Society, Commerce Society, Computer Society and Healthcare Society. Drama is a prominent area with a Drama Society that stages performances at the annual concert and participates in competitions. The school also emphasizes a broad arts program and active participation in numerous co-curricular activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
English, Sinhala, Tamil, French and German are taught at Stafford International School. The school offers Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL examinations and has been a Cambridge International Examinations center since 2015, with Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel IAL exams offered since 2019. In 2022, A Level results were 63% A*-A and IGCSE results were 50% A*-A. Pupils have secured places at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale, and a former Head Prefect was listed in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Arts & Creative
The Performing Arts department teaches music, drama, dance and theatre. It provides opportunities to participate in productions and to learn about production and technical aspects of running performances, with access to state-of-the-art facilities. Music education includes musical theatre, choir and orchestra opportunities. Dance classes range from ballet to hip hop, with live performances regularly featured.

Cultural & Language
Culture Club celebrates and learns about cultures, religions and ethnicities globally and in Sri Lanka. The International Awareness Society focuses on cultivating a sense of global awareness and cross-cultural understanding. The Interact Club is part of Rotary International, enabling students to take action through community and international service, discover new cultures and promote international understanding. The Scrabble Club uses English as the main medium for language development.

Social & Hobbies
Over 1500 pupils participate in extracurricular activities each week. A wide range of clubs is offered, including Debating Society, Drama Club, Gavel Club (Toastmasters), Scrabble Club, Media Club, ICT Society, Psychology Club, Social Services Club, International Awareness Society, Animal Rescue Club, Culture Club, Aviation Club, Design Club, Commerce Society, Conservation and Adventure Club, MUN Society and Book Club. These clubs foster creativity, communication and collaboration across age groups.

Community & Service
Interact Club is part of Rotary International and enables students to take action through community and international service, discover new cultures and promote international understanding. The Social Services Club focuses on activities aiding the well-being of society. The International Awareness Society inculcates a sense of global awareness and cultural understanding.

Leadership & Professional
The Sixth Form Scholarship program recognises excellence across academic, sport and Speech & Drama, and seeks Scholars who extend themselves and enrich the community; scholarships carry a limited remission of school day fees. Scholarships may be awarded up to 100% and cover the two years of Years Lower and Upper Sixth, with candidates able to apply for up to two scholarships. Internal candidates require Head of Middle or Upper School approval, while external candidates must meet the normal entry requirements.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing is central to Stafford, with a Positive Education Programme that blends academic learning with character and wellbeing development. Six wellbeing elements are emphasised: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment and Health. The School operates a House system (Felix, Kalan, Noreen and Ruby) that promotes leadership, teamwork and inter-house competitions, and supports pupils through a structured pastoral framework.
Languages

Language Provision
The school is English-medium. English Language is compulsory for all students, and English Literature is taught. French, Sinhala and Tamil are taught as language subjects; Tamil or Sinhala is offered as a language option. For Cambridge IGCSE (Form 4-5), students must choose at least five subjects from a list that includes French, Sinhala and Tamil.
Admissions

Admissions
Stage 01: An admissions form must be completed by the parents, and documents required include a copy of the student's most recent school report and a passport copy (which will be photocopied and returned) or a birth certificate.

Stage 02: All students from Form 1 upwards sit entrance tests in English and Mathematics; Reception and KG have an interview with the Head of Primary. Admission is based on performance in tests, prior reports, and interviews with the Head of School, with holistic consideration of character and extra‑curricular achievements.

Stage 03: A one‑on‑one meeting with the principal during the school visit, where the principal will discuss the student's interests and answer questions.

Scholarships
The Sixth Form Scholarship recognises excellence and may provide up to 100% remission of school day fees. Honorary scholarships recognise achievement in the same way but carry no financial benefit. Candidates may apply for up to two scholarships, and the total combined value cannot exceed 100% of the school day fees. Scholarships are awarded for the two years of the Sixth Form (Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth) and are reviewed annually; they may be withdrawn if the pupil ceases to demonstrate continued commitment. Academic Scholarships (16+) require a recent school report and candidates are expected to be predicted high grades in IGCSEs; an Academic Scholar is described as intelligent, interested and interesting and should contribute to the intellectual life of the school. The 16+ Scholarship involves examination in three upper‑school subjects and may lead to interviews; past papers may be used. Sport Scholarships (16+) require a pre‑assessment and a confidential report from the Head of the candidate's current school; external candidates must meet the academic entry requirements and sit the normal entrance examinations; assessment is tailored to the sport. Speech and Drama Scholarships (16+) require a letter of application with a resume, a recording of the presentation, and may include an audition; external candidates must meet academic entry requirements and sit entrance examinations; a confidential report from the Head of the current school is required. Timetable details and deadlines are provided on the scholarship pages, and applications can be downloaded from the school site.
School Events
The school has not added events
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