In recent years, a rising trend has emerged among Britain's most prestigious private schools: the establishment of overseas branches. These schools, steeped in tradition, with centuries of academic excellence behind them, have responded to growing global demand for quality education by opening campuses abroad. This move has transformed British education into a valuable export, bringing Britain's renowned curriculum, ethos, and values to students around the world.
The Appeal of British Private Schools Abroad
British private schools are famous for their rigorous academics, holistic education, and strong pastoral care, offering not only high-quality teaching but also a well-rounded experience that includes sports, arts, and leadership opportunities. For many international families, these schools provide a pathway to higher education in the British or other top-tier universities worldwide.
Opening international branches allows schools to cater to students who may not have the opportunity to attend their British campuses but still desire the benefits of a British education. These overseas branches typically follow the same academic structure as their British counterparts, often offering curricula like the British National Curriculum, IGCSEs, and A-Levels, or even the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Key Players in the Global Expansion
Several well-known British private schools have been pioneers in this expansion, setting up branches in key global cities.
1. Dulwich College
Dulwich College, founded in 1619, opened its first overseas campus in Shanghai in 2003, becoming the first British independent school to open in China. It was followed by Dulwich schools in Beijing (2005), Suzhou (2007), Seoul (2010), Singapore (2014), and Yangon (2016). Dulwich College International schools offer a mix of British education and an international focus, reflecting their locations in major global hubs.
2. Harrow School
Harrow School, a centuries-old institution in London, was among the first schools to establish an overseas presence. The first Harrow International School was founded in Bangkok in 1998. In 2005, Harrow opened a branch in Beijing and became the second British independent school to open in China after Dulwich College. The school has since expanded to Hong Kong (2012), Shanghai (2016), Bangalore (2023) and New York (2024). These schools maintain close ties with their British counterparts and offer a distinctly British education, complete with traditional features such as house systems and Harrow's emphasis on leadership.
3. Wellington College
Wellington College, another top British independent school, established its first international school in Tianjin, China, in 2011. It has since opened additional schools in Shanghai (2014), Hangzhou (2018), Bangkok (2018) and Pune (2023). A new branch is scheduled to open in Jakarta in 2025. Wellington's approach blends British educational practices with a strong focus on bilingualism and cultural exchange, helping prepare students for a global future.
4. Repton School
Repton School, founded in 1557, has successfully exported its educational model. It opened a branch in Dubai in 2007, becoming one of the first British schools to establish itself in the UAE. It opened further schools in Abu Dhabi (2013), Xiamen (2020) and Cairo (2021). Repton's overseas schools aim to replicate the atmosphere of its British campus, providing students with a balanced education that values both academics and character development.
5. St. Paul's Girls' School (SPGS)
St Paul's Girls' School is a private day school for girls, aged 11 to 18, located in London, England. The school is included in The Schools Index as one of the world's 150 best private schools and among top 30 British senior schools. SPGS opened its first overseas branch in Chengdu, China in 2021. SPGS International School Chengdu is a co-educational school for pupils aged 3-18.
6. Brighton College
Brighton College is an independent, boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 in Brighton and Hove, England. It has been listed in The Schools Index since 2021 as one of the world's leading 150 private schools and one of the top 30 in the British senior schools category.
In 2011, Brighton College opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi. Brighton College International Schools (BCIS) has subsequently opened campuses in Al Ain, Bangkok, Dubai and Singapore. Brighton College Abu Dhabi is also listed in The Schools Index as one of the top 15 schools in the Middle East.
7. North London Collegiate School (NLCS)
North London Collegiate School is a British independent day school for girls aged 4 - 18. It started expanding internationally in 2011 with the first overseas branch in Jeju. This was followed by branches in Dubai (2017) and Singapore (2020). The overseas branches are all-through co-educational schools following the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
8. Wycombe Abbey School
Wycombe Abbey is a private girls' boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It is internationally renowned as one of the best boarding schools in Britain. The school was founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove. In 2015, the school opened its first overseas branch in Changzhou. This was followed by branches in Hong Kong (2019), Nanjing (2021) and Hangzhou (2021).
9. Malvern College
Malvern College is a coeducational boarding and day school in Malvern, Worcestershire, England. It was founded in 1865 and is a member of the Rugby Group and of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.
In 2012, Malvern College opened its first international campus in Qingdao. This was followed by campuses in Chengdu (2015), Cairo (2016), Hong Kong (2018) and Tokyo (2023).
10. King's College School
King's College School is an independent day school in Wimbledon, southwest London, England. The school was established in 1829 by King George IV, as the junior department of King's College London. It is predominantly a boys' school but accepts girls into the Sixth Form.
The first overseas school was established in Monaco in 1994. In recent years, the school has rapidly expanded in Asia with new branches opening in Wuxi (2018), Hangzhou (2018), Bangkok (2020) and Chengdu (2021).
King's College Schools in China are run in partnership with Shanghai-based education provider Dipont.
11. Charterhouse School
Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the leading British independent boarding and day schools, providing an outstanding education for boys and girls aged 13 to 18.
Charterhouse opened its first international campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2021. This was followed by a campus in Lagos, Nigeria in 2024. There are plans to open an additional school in Almaty (2026).
12. Cranleigh School
Cranleigh is a leading co-educational independent school, offering boarding and day education for pupils aged 13 to 18 in Cranleigh, England.
Cranleigh opened its first international campus in Abu Dhabi in 2014. This was followed by three schools in China in rapid succession - Changsha (2020), Wuhan (2022) and Chengdu (2024). The schools in China are operated in partnership with Cogdel Education. There are plans to open a new school in Bahrain in the near future.
13. Magdalen College School
Magdalen College School, Oxford is a leading independent day school for boys 7 - 18 and girls in the Sixth Form. It was founded in 1480.
Magdalen College School, Oxford (MCS) entered into a long term collaboration agreement with a Hong-Kong listed company KWG Group Holdings Ltd (KWG), for the opening of international schools across several regions in China starting with the Greater Bay Area of Southern China. The first of these schools is planned to open in 2024 in the Greater Bay Area and will be open to pupils aged 6-18.
14. Queen Elizabeth's School
Whilst opening overseas branches has become the norm for leading private schools, state-funded British schools are also starting to follow this path.
Queen Elizabeth's Barnet (also known as QE Barnet) is a state-funded grammar school for boys founded in 1573. In September 2024, the school announced a partnership with Global Education (GEDU), who will be establishing overseas schools bearing the Queen Elizabeth's School branding and name. There are initial plans for three schools, two in India and one in the United Arab Emirates. In India one school is planned in GIFT City (a new financial and technology hub in Gujarat province) and the other in Gurugram (a satellite city near Delhi). Dubai is the likely location of the UAE school.
The schools will be run as separate entities and will be co-educational, unlike QE Barnet. Also, unlike QE Barnet, the international QE schools will be fee-paying and not state funded.
Why Are British Schools Expanding?
There are several reasons driving the international expansion of British private schools:
1. Global Demand for Quality Education
As global wealth increases, especially in Asia and the Middle East, more families seek premium education options for their children. British private schools have long been synonymous with academic excellence, making them highly attractive to international parents.
2. Brand Recognition
British schools hold a strong global reputation. By leveraging this, these schools can tap into new markets where their names carry significant weight.
3. Cultural and Economic Influence
The expansion of British education abroad also reflects Britain's ongoing cultural influence. Education is increasingly seen as a form of soft power, and exporting British schooling helps maintain Britain's presence on the global stage.
4. Funding and Sustainability
Establishing overseas campuses provides additional revenue streams for British schools. Given the increasing costs of running elite educational institutions, these international ventures help secure financial sustainability without compromising the quality of education at home.
The Challenges of Overseas Expansion
Despite the benefits, there are challenges. Maintaining the same high standards across multiple campuses in different cultural contexts can be difficult. British private schools must adapt their traditional models to fit the educational regulations, languages, and customs of host countries. Moreover, they need to ensure their international schools retain the ethos and academic rigor of their British counterparts.
For instance, while the curriculum remains largely British, schools may need to incorporate local history, languages, or other regional subjects to meet the needs of the host country's students. Recruiting and training teachers who can deliver a British-style education in an international setting is also a crucial factor.
The Future of British Schools Overseas
As the demand for high-quality education continues to rise globally, we are likely to see more British private schools establishing branches overseas. Markets like China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East remain particularly fertile for growth. Additionally, the emergence of hybrid or bilingual models that combine British and local education traditions may become more common.
In this era of globalization, education is increasingly borderless, and British private schools are leading the charge. By offering students around the world access to a world-class British education, these schools are not only broadening their own horizons but also shaping the future of international education.
Furthermore, with the recent addition of VAT to private school fees, even more British schools may look to open overseas branches in search of revenue growth.
Conclusion
The international expansion of British private schools represents a significant shift in the landscape of global education. As more schools set up shop abroad, they continue to spread the values of academic excellence, character development, and leadership that are central to British schooling. For families around the world, the opportunity to access these esteemed institutions without leaving their home countries is an appealing prospect, and one that is likely to grow in importance in the coming years.