Who are the International Group?

International Group students are those that arrive in the English school system from abroad, with no experience of the English school system and / or English as an Additional Language.  A number of these students are here because their families have moved to London for work, while some are here because their families have moved here from other countries for economic or political reasons.  There are also unaccompanied students from refugee-producing countries who are looked after.

This group of students are looked after by a dedicated team of specialist teachers and support staff who offer a uniquely tailored and supportive system unmatched in other schools.

The team and the students they look after are an integral part of our wider school community and are regarded as any other cohort of students.  Rather than a year group, this cohort encompasses students from Years 10, 11, 12 & 13 who are taught in mixed-age classes based on their level of English and their ability to access the school’s mainstream curriculum.   

Those students who are able to access the GCSE curriculum study GCSEs in one year and then move on to Level 3 qualifications in the sixth form.  Having spent a year in the International Group, many of these students surpass expectations in their achievements at GCSE and A Level.  Other students spend two or three years in the International Group and end their time at Southfields with a clutch of recognised qualifications and the ability to progress on to the next stage of education, training or to enter the workplace.

The International Group are an integral and well established part of the Southfields Academy community.

The International Group began in 2002 with 12 students from 6 different countries; they were put into a unique tutor group and were taught English, mathematics and drama.  They became such integral members of the school community that we held our first International Evening in 2003.  From humble beginnings, the cohort and the Evening celebrating the International aspect of our community have grown.  Each year there are around 140 students in five groups in Key Stage 4 & 5 and 65 students supported by the International Group in Key Stage 3. 

I am moving from abroad and would like my child to join Southfields Academy, what do I need to do?

The International Group welcomes applications for casual admission at any point in the school year.  Places in the International Group are subject to availability and applicants may be placed on a waiting list.  To apply, please complete the Google form on our Admissions page.  You are more than welcome to come and view the school before making an application. To arrange a tour of the Academy, click our 'book a tour' button. 

To make joining our community as smooth as possible, our International Group students have translated our parents' / students' handbook into a number of languages, you can download copies below.