All anniversaries offer an opportunity to both look back, and anticipate and plan for the future.
I have many fond memories of the inauguration of the first ACS school at Netherall Gardens, Hampstead, in the summer of 1967. Our initial enrolment totalled 35 students in September, and it is astonishing to consider the journey that ACS has made since those early days to reach its current student population of over 2,500.
Hairstyles and fashions may have changed over the past 40 years, but our commitment to helping students achieve their potential remains strong and undiminished.
In 1967, our child-centred approach to teaching was sound, and our enthusiasm in abundance, just like it is today. Although we have grown, I must congratulate ACS students, faculty and staff for retaining and building upon the intimacy and family atmosphere we established all those years ago.
This growth would not have been possible without the tireless commitment of you all and the drive and energy of our thriving parent communities who add so much to school life.
Building on a solid foundation
Our commitment to financial stability and a policy to consistently reinvest surpluses back into the school, has encouraged the organisation’s development from our humble beginnings in 1967 to our current status as the largest and most successful international school in the UK.
During the late 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s, the ACS group of schools grew into a family of small, satellite campuses based in and around central and south west London.
Increased enrolment and our desire to offer the highest quality facilities to support our excellent academic programmes led us to acquire ever-larger sites. This resulted in a series of moves, culminating in our current three campuses located to the west and south-west of London in Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon. During the past decade we have focussed upon developing these schools to their full potential.
This evolution has resulted in three state-of-the-art campuses offering world-class academic programmes and facilities, built on a collective enthusiasm and team spirit, coupled to prudent management and planning.
Our programme of measured expansion continues to be an integral part of our strategy as we look ahead into the future. And the marking of our 40th Anniversary gives us an opportunity to look forward to the next 40 years. As ACS Co-Founder, I remain committed to protecting the long-term future of the organisation and the values we cherish, ensuring that we never stand still, and continue to grow and strengthen our position as a genuine leader in the world of international education.
E J Poularas
Chairman and Co-Founder
