American School in England

The American International School in England (TASIS England)
Location
Thorpe, Surrey, England
Information
School type Boarding and Day
International school
American school
Founded 1976
Founder Mary Crist Fleming (September 10, 1910 -- January 27, 2009)
Sister school The American School in Switzerland
Faculty 100+
Grades Pre-K through Post-Graduate
Enrolment 646 (Day and Boarding students)
International students 56 Nationalities Represented
Average class size 15
Student to teacher ratio 1:8
Colour(s) Red, White, and Blue
Sports Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Golf, Tennis, and others
Mascot Lion
Affiliations

Council of International Schools (CIS)

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Website www.tasisengland.org

Coordinates: 51°24′29″N 0°31′34″W / 51.408°N 0.526°W / 51.408; -0.526

TASIS England also known in its home country as The American International School in England is one of five American schools in and around London and was founded in 1976. Its 46-acre campus is in the village of Thorpe, Surrey, south west of London, adjoining Royal Holloway, University of London.

The school consists of an early years program,[n 1], a Lower or Elementary School (pre-kindergarten to 4th grade), a Middle School (5th-8th grade) and an Upper or High School (9th-12th grades). The American School enrolls c. 646 students.

The Lower and Middle Schools teach the American Core Knowledge curriculum. The Upper School since 2005-2006 offers the International Baccalaureate together with the traditional American AP system.

History

TASIS stands for The American School in Switzerland.[1] TASIS England was originally set up as a branch of that school based in Surrey, England.[1] Its relationship to the Swiss base of TASIS (other than common ownership) is that of a sister school. TASIS England was founded in 1976 by Mary Crist Fleming by way of expansion. TASIS England is the second oldest of five American schools in England.

Campus

Central part of grounds

The 46-acre school campus is in two halves. The North site, separated by a public lane, has modern buildings set behind its largely administrative 17th century rebuilding of Thorpe manor house (with Georgian front elevation).[2] The South site centers on the grand early 19th-century convent built in the grounds of Thorpe manor house, built in yellow brick featuring a two-storey splay sided bay with sash windows in splays and French windows.[3] James Lander wrote an extensive history of the school and surrounding area in The Heart of Thorpe.[1]

The school is divided into North and South Campuses, separated by Coldharbour Lane. The Lower and Middle Schools form the North campus. Several dormatories, Thorpe House, Upper School cafeteria and Student Center (including a Starbucks area) are on the South campus.

Transport

The nearest town is Egham and the larger adjoining town of Staines upon Thames sees school shuttle runs on the weekend that facilitate boarders' access. TASIS England is beside a bus stop, Thorpe Village, which besides the village street sidewalks links it to Virginia Water railway station at under 1 mile (1.6 km).[4] The school is the closest to London Heathrow Airport of the five American schools and Virginia Water 35 minutes from London by train.

Academics

TASIS England's teacher student ratio is 1:8. The Upper School is college preparatory and currently operates on a block schedule.

Independent assessments

The Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the International Baccalaureate Organisation have all accredited TASIS England. The school is also inspected by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education of the UK government. An Ofsted inspection carried out in May 2016, rated the school as "inadequate" in eight of ten categories assessed.[5] While a follow-up Ofsted inspection carried out in December 2016 found some improvements, the school still did not meet all of the independent school standards and national minimum standards for residential provision that were checked during this inspection.[6] A further Ofsted inspection in September 2017 found that the school had improved and was meeting all of the independent school standards and national minimum standards for residential provision.[7]

CIS and NEASC inspected TASIS England in March 2016, and their report lists areas needing improvement, while also calling the school "a forward-thinking school, developing new programs to meet the demands of a 21st century education and … [the School] benefits from strong and collaborative leadership."[8]

University admissions

In 2007, 97% of TASIS graduates were either accepted into three or four-year universities, or chose to pursue a gap year before making university plans. While many TASIS graduates go to American universities, some go to the UK, Japan, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.[9]

Athletics

TASIS England offers competitive soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, rugby, cheerleading, tennis and lacrosse at the varsity and junior varsity levels. Students travel throughout England and Europe for tournaments. TASIS is a member of the International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST) conference.[10]

Activities

More than 30 student-run clubs and organizations run in the Upper School ranging from Model United Nations to Global Issues Network.[11] Upper School students perform two productions (a play and a musical) every year.

The Fleming Theatre offers rehearsal and performance spaces. The Fleming Gallery has rotating displays that showcase student work. The Visual Arts is centered around the Fine Arts Center, with purpose-built Photography, Drawing & Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture and Printmaking spaces.[12]

TASIS offers is an Academic Travel Program. During October break, Upper School students travel, if they wish, to various countries throughout the world. Past destinations have included Austria, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and various Eastern European countries. Middle School students have the opportunity to travel to Greece during Spring break, as well.[13]

All divisions of TASIS include service programs that introduce students to the challenges and benefits of doing good for others. Students are showcased on a Service Learning Spotlight.[14]

Notable alumni

See also

Notes and references

References
  1. 1 2 3 Archived August 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Thorpe Manor House (1190067)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1028931)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 November 2016. (listed under predecessor, south, convent building name)
  4. ↑ "Staines Station Onward Travel Information" (PDF).
  5. ↑ https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2595834/urn/125423.pdf
  6. ↑ https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2639395/urn/125423.pdf
  7. ↑ http://england.tasis.com/uploaded/Ofsted_Reports/TASIS_The_American_School_in_England_10035873_-_Final_report.pdf
  8. ↑ http://england.tasis.com/uploaded/documents/NEASC_2016/CIS_NEASC_2016_Report.pdf
  9. ↑ "TASIS England University Destinations".
  10. ↑ "ISST Member Schools".
  11. ↑ "TASIS England Clubs & Activities".
  12. ↑ "TASIS England Arts".
  13. ↑ "TASIS England Academic Travel Program".
  14. ↑ "TASIS England Spotlight on Service".
Notes
  1. ↑ 'Frog Hollow'
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