The Tes Schools Awards, UK, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of education’ has revealed the names of schools shortlisted for this year. A table of the shortlist can be found below. Click here to view a web version. The rigorous judging process is led by a panel of international school leaders, educational experts, and researchers from across the regions.
The winners will be revealed on 9th December 2025 via YouTube video. To watch the video when it’s live and learn more about the Tes Awards for International Schools, click here.
Tes partners for the awards are: British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), Council of British International Schools (COBIS), The Department for Business and Trade, the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS), the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Honouring the outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact of teachers and support staff teaching the British or international curricular around the world, have have attracted 578 entries from schools across the globe, nearly doubling from the previous year, showcasing inspiring stories of educational excellence. Dan Worth, International Editor of Tes Magazine and chair of the judges of the Tes Awards for International Schools, said:
“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. 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.”
Shortlist of schools:
| 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 | 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 | Japan |
| Diversity, Equity & 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 – 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 of Brunei (ISB) | Brunei |
| Nita Mukesh Ambani International School & Dhirubhai Ambani International School | India |
| Pembroke House | Kenya |
| Sustainability Award | |
| Accra STEM Academy | Ghana |
| Dhirubhai Ambani International School | India |
| GEMS Wesgreen International School | UAE |
| Jerudong International School | Brunei |
| Kodaikanal International School | India |
| Mallorca International School | Spain |
| The International School @ ParkCity | Malaysia |
| The British School New Delhi | India |
| Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year | |
| Dubai College | UAE |
| GEMS Founders School | UAE |
| Nord Anglia International School | UAE |
| Wales International School | UAE |
| Student Mental Health Initiative of the Year | |
| Brighton College Dubai | UAE |
| British Vietnamese International School | Vietnam |
| Cambridge School of Bucharest | Romania |
| ELIS Villamartin | Spain |
| Jakarta Nanyang School | Indonesia |
| Peponi House School | Kenya |
| The International School of Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia |
| Viking International School | Denmark |
| Teaching Assistant/Support of the Year | |
| Amirah Casfian – King Henry VIII College | Malaysia |
| Delma Bagayan – Hartland International School | UAE |
| Intan Dewiyani – The Independent School of Jakarta | Indonesia |
| Ligaya Kitane – Brighton College | UAE |
| Naduni Horagoda – Ambassador International Academy | UAE |
| Sharon Tourish – International School Rheintal | Switzerland |
| Sumaya Abdulameer Eid – The British School of Bahrain | Bahrain |
| Tracey Vazz – IPS Cascais | Portugal |
| Teaching Initiative of the Year | |
| Al Rabeeh School | UAE |
| Brighton College | UAE |
| Nexus International School | Malaysia |
| Prem International School | Thailand |
| The British International School of Bratislava | Slovakia |
| The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) | Malaysia |
| TradeWinds Academy | Kenya |
| Wellspring Bilingual International School | Vietnam |
| International School of the Year | |
| Central Model School Khanewal | Pakistan |
| DESS Oud Metha (DOM) | UAE |
| GEMS Founders School | UAE |
| King Faisal School | Saudi Arabia |
| Navajo Preparatory School | USA |
| Shiv Nadar School | India |
| Tanglin Trust School | Singapore |
| Zhong Ying International School | Cambodia |
