Tes Awards for International Schools 2025: shortlist revealed

The annual global celebration of international schools has unveiled its shortlist, with countries across the world represented

10th November 2025, 9:00am

Tes reporter

Tes Awards for International Schools 2025: the shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the Tes Awards for International Schools 2025 has been unveiled, with schools and teaching staff from across the world recognised for their excellence in the profession.

In total, the awards attracted 578 entries from countries ranging from The Seychelles and Nepal to India, the United Arab Emirates and China. These entries were then whittled down by the panel of expert judges to the shortlist you can see below.

There are 13 awards in total and the winners will be revealed via a live video stream on 9 December. To watch the video when it’s live and learn more about the Tes Awards for International Schools, click here.

Partners for the awards are:

British Schools in the Middle East (BSME)
Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
The Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS)
The Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA)
The International Baccalaureate (IB)

Dan Worth, international editor at Tes Magazine and chair of the judges, congratulated those who had been shortlisted on their achievement.

“A huge congratulations to all the schools and individuals shortlisted for these awards. The volume of entries we received, coupled with the depth of quality, meant it was no easy task for our judges to create the shortlist we are now proud to share,” he said.

“We look forward to celebrating the winners next month and saying thank you to educators everywhere for the amazing work they do day-in, day-out.”

Sarah Chidgey, head of international education at the Department for Business and Trade, which is one of the partners for the awards, said it was “inspiring to see the passion and creativity coming out of international schools this year”.

“The Tes Awards shortlist is a testament to the incredible educators who go above and beyond every day to make learning meaningful and impactful,” she added.

Dr Nicole Bien, chief schools officer at the International Baccalaureate, said the organisation was proud to support the awards and have the chance to shine a light on the “inspiring dedication of teachers, schools and communities around the world”.

She added: “We congratulate the schools shortlisted for this year’s honours, who are helping raise the profile of international schools while equipping their students with skills, curiosity and open-mindedness.”

Tes Awards for International Schools 2025: the shortlist

Best Use of Technology

Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) - India
Hamilton International School - Qatar
International School of Monaco - Monaco
JESS Dubai - UAE
King’s InterHigh - Online
Kodaikanal International School - India
Pascal Private School - Cyprus
Seth Anandram Jaipuria School - India

Community Engagement Initiative of the Year

Agora Lledo International School - Spain
Akademeia High School - Poland
Braeside Lavington - Kenya
Haileybury Astana - Kazakhstan
International School Seychelles - The Seychelles
Japanese International School - Vietnam
The British School Kathmandu - Nepal
The Olympia Schools - Vietnam

Curriculum Initiative of the Year

Arcadia British School - UAE
Britannica International School - China
Jerudong International School - Brunei
Lüderitz Blue School - Namibia
Raha International School - UAE
Tanglin Trust School - Singapore
The Arbor School - UAE
The British School in Tokyo - Japan

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

British School Muscat - Oman
Dover Court International School - Singapore
GEMS Metropole School - UAE
GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis - UAE
GEMS World Academy - UAE
Reigate Grammar School - Cambodia
United World College Maastricht - Netherlands
United World College Thailand - Thailand

Leadership Award

Dr Nguyen Quang Minh, Nguyen Sieu School - Vietnam
Dr Rukshan Razak, Sri Lankan International School - Saudi Arabia
Francesco Banchini, European Azerbaijan School - Azerbaijan
Hajiya Samira Jibir, Glisten International Academy - Nigeria
Ildar Iliazov, Light International School - Kenya
Jacquelene Da Silva, Amstelland International School - Netherlands
Mai Thuy, Reigate Grammar School Vietnam - Vietnam
Shoaib Raza, Nexus International School - Singapore

Principal/Headteacher of the Year

Adam McRoy, Cogdel Cranleigh School - China
David Tongue, Doha College - Qatar
Dr John Knight, St George’s British International School - Italy
Fiona Cottam, Hartland International School - UAE
George Bowery, Al Mustaqbal School - Palestine
James McDonald, GEMS Wesgreen International School - UAE
Matthew Burfield, GEMS Founders School - UAE
Simon Burbury, Marlborough College - Malaysia

Specialist Provision Provider of the Year

GEMS Metropole School - UAE
GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis - UAE
International School Brunei - Brunei
Nita Mukesh Ambani International School and Dhirubhai Ambani International School - India
Pembroke House - Kenya

Sustainability Award