FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

When our school opened in 2002, we were known as the British International School of Shanghai (BISS), Pudong. We changed our name to Nord Anglia International School (NAIS) Shanghai, Pudong in 2015 to reflect that we are part of the Nord Anglia Education global family.

We continue to offer a high quality, academically rigorous education, and are extremely proud of our history and heritage within Shanghai. Indeed, NAIS Pudong is the longest-running British international school in China.

Nord Anglia Education (NAE) is a British education provider and a community of more than 80 world-leading international schools. Founded in 1972, NAE has grown into a network that extends across more than 35 countries worldwide, educating over 70,000 children around the globe. Due to its scale, Nord Anglia has been able to forge exclusive collaborations with MIT, UNICEF, The Juilliard School and, most recently, IMG Academy. These partnerships greatly benefit both students and staff at NAIS Pudong.

NAIS Pudong is a truly international school, which is home to students of more than 40 different nationalities. We’re also the longest-running British international school in China, which means we have a long history and tradition within a community that we understand very well. Our diverse and inclusive school provides students with a global perspective that will shape the rest of their lives.

Learning here, your child will achieve academic excellence, learn to lead, and make the world a better place. Our core values nurture students who are confident, creative, and considerate, and who are well-prepared for their futures. We believe students shouldn’t just be strong academically – they need to become leaders, be flexible, and be understanding.

Our school environment is warm, welcoming, and inclusive for all. We have small class sizes, allowing us to customise and differentiate teaching and learning to ensure every child is catered for and can be stretched academically. Despite being a non-selective school, our academic outcomes are outstanding, with IGCSE and IBDP results well above the global average. This opens doors to the world’s best universities.

Our collaborations with The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), UNICEF and IMG Academy offer truly unique learning opportunities. Your child will have direct access to outstanding performing arts, STEAM, and sports curricula and professionals, whilst also developing their awareness of global issues.

Our school is home to students from more than 40 countries. This will give your child a wonderful opportunity to engage with peers from across the globe. They'll also be part of worldwide community through our Global Campus programme, which connects more than 70,000+ students worldwide.

Our facilities enrich the education we provide – one that prepares our students for lifelong success.

Our purpose-built learning spaces are packed with technology, while our beautiful green surroundings will enable your child to learn and grow beyond the classroom. Our campus has a multi-purpose Performing Arts Centre, which includes multiple music spaces and a 300-seat theatre. We also have a high-tech MIT Maker Space, along with dedicated STEAM teaching and learning spaces, both in Primary and Secondary. Our outdoor, natural grass sports pitches are complemented by two indoor gymnasiums and a 25m indoor swimming pool.

Our admissions process is efficient and straightforward, and will be tailored to your family's needs and schedule.

Your journey starts by getting in touch with our friendly Admissions Team. You can do this either through our short online enquiry form, by email at admissions@naispudong.com, by phone on +86 (0) 21 5812 7455 ext. 1015, or via WeChat by adding our account ID 'NAISPudong'.

We'll then arrange for your to join us for an in-person tour or Virtual Discovery Meeting. Next, you'll need to complete our easy-to-use online application form. You'll need to input information about your child and family, and upload some supporting documents, such as passports and school reports. 

Every step of the way, you'll be guided by our dedicated team, who will ensure you have the information and support you need.

We comply with Shanghai Education policy, which means we accept applications from families who fall within one of the six categories below:

1. A foreign national parent with a Shanghai Alien Work Permit.
2. A working parent who holds a Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan passport.
3. A Chinese national working parent who is married to a non-working, non-Chinese national, and who is residing in Shanghai with a child who is a Chinese national.
4. A Chinese national working parent whose child is born overseas (B1) or in Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan (B2).
5. A Chinese national parent with a residence permit whose child is a foreign national and holds a valid residence permit which has been issued in Shanghai.
6. A Chinese national parent and child who have a foreign permanent residence permit and hold a SHMEC waiver letter. 

To discuss your specific situation further, please contact our Admissions Team.

Of course! You're welcome to visit our school at any time, including during the academic holidays. Our Admissions Team will be happy to take you on a tour of our beautiful campus and facilities. We also organise Open Days throughout the year, details of which can be found on our website and social media channels.

We're located in the Kangqiao area of Pudong district, Shanghai, not far from the Disney resort. We’re nestled in peaceful surroundings, with a river flowing along the front of the school and beautiful housing complexes located close by. You can find us using our address: 2888 Junmin Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201315 (or 上海市 浦东新区军民公路2888号 邮编201315).

We understand it isn’t always possible for families to visit our school – either because they’re not currently located in Shanghai, or perhaps because of busy schedules. In these cases, our Admissions Team are happy to arrange an online Virtual Discovery Meeting. We also offer Virtual Open Days throughout the year.

While NAIS Pudong is an inclusive, non-selective school, we assess all possible entrants to ensure we're able to support them in the right way.

Prospective Early Years students will meet our teaching staff and take part in lesson observations, during which time we monitor how they interact with other children. Potential Primary and Secondary school learners will sit an entrance assessment, which includes either written papers or online testing, or a combination of both. The assessment can be done either in school or remotely online. Our most senior students may also be invited to an interview with our Secondary academic staff to discuss their options and ensure they're prepared for the academic challenge.

All prospective students are also assessed for any English as an Additional Language (EAL) or Learning Support needs. EAL support is provided free of charge.

Find out more about our entry requirements.

In most cases, we offer a child a place on the same day as the assessment takes place; if this isn't possible, however, you will receive a decision within 48 hours. The process can be completed very quickly and our Admissions Team will support you every step of the way. If you accept the offer of a place, our Finance Team will send you an invoice for the relevant fees. You'll need to pay these to secure your child’s place.

From Pre-Nursery to Year 11, all our students wear a smart and durable school uniform. We offer uniform options that allow for appropriate comfort during cold and hot weather, and we also have a dedicated sports kit.

You can purchase our uniform online, direct from our supplier. We also have a small shop located in the main reception area of the school. Our parent group sells a limited number of second-hand uniforms, too.

Although our Sixth Form students don’t wear a dedicated uniform, they're expected to attend school wearing business-like attire.

Our school fees range from RMB 250,000 to RMB 360,000 per year, depending on your child's age group. We also offer half-day fees for Pre-Nursery and Nursery students. There are additional costs such as uniform, school bus, trips, and lunch fees. Where necessary, all EAL fees are included in tuition costs.

We offer a 3% ‘Early Bird’ discount for families who choose to pay their annual school fees ahead of a dedicated deadline each summer. Families with three or more children at the school are also entitled to sibling discounts.

Yes, all our teachers hold a minimum bachelor's degree and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), which is a specific and targeted teacher training qualification. Teachers from outside the UK have equivalent qualifications. Many of our teachers have master's degrees or other higher qualifications, too. Our brilliant teaching assistants (TAs) are also degree qualified, recruited based on their previous education experience. They are all bilingual and provide essential language and teaching support in the classroom.

To ensure they remain at the forefront of educational innovation, our teachers access the very best professional development opportunities through Nord Anglia University. This award-winning platform brings teachers together from Nord Anglia Education’s 80+ schools worldwide to share knowledge and best practice.

We're serious about protecting our students from potentially harmful air pollution. We have clean air filters in every classroom and all our communal areas. Even on the highest of pollution days, indoor air quality is better than international health standards. We maintain our filtration system regularly and always monitor internal air quality.

We have an outdoor play policy based on the best available advice from the US Department of Health, the recognised leader in the field. We take regular readings for Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 (the most dangerous particles) throughout the day at four set times, and more regularly where required. When readings exceed the healthy range, students’ outdoor activities are limited or, during any high pollution, cancelled.

Our extensive facilities include three indoor gymnasiums and other suitable indoor spaces, meaning that many activities are easily transferrable indoors. The Chinese government also has strict regulations in place to reduce air pollution in China. This means that air quality is continually improving and the AQI is at its lowest levels in decades.

No, we don't. NAIS Pudong is a day school and therefore we can't offer students accommodation. If you are looking for boarding schools, however, we recommend exploring other members of the Nord Anglia Education network.

Students from all over Shanghai attend our school, and we have a dedicated fleet of school buses to bring them to and from our campus every day.

Each bus is supervised by a bilingual monitor who is a teaching assistant at our school. All our buses are fitted with seat belts that students have to wear. We adapt our bus routes each year to meet the needs of our community, and we try to offer transport options for all families who request the service. Please speak to our Admissions Team to find out more.

We encourage and support our parents to get involved in life at our school. We offer a variety of opportunities for you to visit, see your child in class, and to support activities. We also have a range of voluntary positions, from becoming a class representative to joining our official Parents’ Association. 

We organise several social events for our families, too, from picnics, school productions, and performances to International Day celebrations and bazaars.

Yes, we accept children in Pre-Nursery if they are still in the process of toilet training.

We'll work closely with you to ensure that the approach is mirrored at home and school so that your child has a stable routine. We have a dedicated nanny who is allocated to support our youngest children through the process.

NAIS Pudong is a nut-free school, and we ask parents not to send their child to school with any nut-related products.

We have two full-time school nurses onsite, who are highly qualified and on call during both the school day and at after-school events. Our nurses keep detailed records of all students with allergies or other ongoing or occasional medical needs. If you have any questions, our nurses are here to help and advise.

We engage with our families in a variety of ways:

1. Face-to-face conversations, either formally at planned Academic Review Evenings or informally at your request.
2. Students receive four formal reports each year: a ‘Settling In’ report after their first month at the school, and then a report at the end of each term.
3. Emails to and from our teachers.
4. In Primary, we use Class Dojo to send messages and share pictures about what's been happening in class. Secondary school staff use the iParent portal in the same way.
5. We use social media, including Facebook and WeChat.
6. Students use Microsoft Teams to access their work and keep track of homework.
7. We send weekly updates, which provide important information about upcoming events and activities.
8. You'll be invited to a variety of events throughout the year, including a parent-teacher meeting each term, twice-yearly student showcases, and a wide range of fun activities.
9. We have a parent representatives’ group, who communicate with the school on behalf of the parent community.

We're committed to having an open-door communication policy, which means that parents are welcome to get in touch with our teachers to discuss their child’s progress and wellbeing.

We pride ourselves on offering small class sizes where students receive high levels of direct interaction with our teaching staff. Our Early Years classes, for example, have a 1:4 staff-to-student ratio, while our average class size across the rest of the school is around 15 or 16 students.

We teach a carefully curated combination of British and international curricula, which culminates in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for our senior students. Our Primary curriculum, meanwhile, is enhanced by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which makes learning more global, active, and relevant.

The strength of the English National Curriculum lies in its formal structure. Divided into Key Stages of education, it develops the core skills students need to learn, with a focus on literacy and numeracy and a balance of other subjects.

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception.
• Key Stage 1 - Years 1 and 2.
• Key Stage 2 - Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
• Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9.
• Key Stage 4 - IGCSE – Years 10 and 11.
• IB Diploma - Years 12 and 13.

Learners study Mandarin from the EYFS onwards, and our curriculum reflects both our Shanghai location and the diverse international membership of our school community.

At NAIS Pudong, our Year 12 and 13 students work towards the prestigious IB Diploma. This outstanding course equips learners for study anywhere in the world, and is much broader than A-Levels. Our IBDP scores are outstanding, and graduates go on to attend some of the world’s best universities.

Aside from dedicated language classes, all our classes are taught in English.

English is the lingua franca of the school, meaning that our students revert to English as their primary means of communication. For those who need English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, learning in an immersive English-speaking environment helps them to quickly develop their skills.

Yes, they can, and we pride ourselves on the significant progress that students make while at NAIS Pudong. We offer a comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for Year 1 to Year 11 learners at no additional cost to parents. Many students do not speak English at the level of their year group when they join us; however, within a short period of time, they have quickly caught up.

Beyond the EAL programme, all of our teachers are trained to continually support students to improve their English through immersion in the classroom. Our bilingual teaching assistants, meanwhile, are on-hand to support native Mandarin-speaking students. Our After School Activities (ASAs) programme also includes classes for non-native English-speaking students and their parents.

Yes, we're an inclusive school that supports students with additional needs, where appropriate. During the admissions process, we'll discuss your child's needs and requirements with you. We will then be able to confirm whether or not we are able to offer the right level of support.

To find out more, please get in touch with our Admissions Team.

We offer a wide and varied approach to Mandarin learning. While non-native speakers study Mandarin as a foreign language, our native Chinese language speakers have several lessons per week to ensure they maintain their knowledge and skills. We know that, for a student to succeed in second language acquisition, they must also have a sound understanding of their native language. As such, students from Pre-Nursery through to Key Stage 3 benefit from appropriate level Mandarin lessons.

We also offer a variety of supplementary Mandarin options within our ASA programme, both for native and non-native speakers. At IGCSE and IBDP levels, we offer Mandarin as a language option.

The school day includes a balanced set of classes and activities.

Our Early Years students enjoy a range of play-based activities, learning outdoors, story time, and specialist lessons, such as music. Primary and Secondary students benefit from a great mix of academic, performing arts and sports, spread across the week. All students have dedicated break and lunch times, too.

Our school gates open at 8am and students are welcome to enjoy monitored play until classes start. Generally, students register between 8.15am and 8.30am, with classes starting at around 8.40am. Our school day finishes at 3.15pm although we have compulsory After School Activities (ASAs) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These last for one hour, with school buses leaving on those days at 4.15pm. On Thursday and Friday, we have optional ASAs, with school buses leaving at both 3.15pm and 4.15pm.

In Early Years, there is no formal homework; however, we encourage parents to read and/or share picture books at home. 

In Primary School, Key Stage 1 and 2 students will be issued homework, but the amount will depend on their age. Class teachers will ensure that you and your child understand expectations and how to best manage homework tasks. Any homework is usually a consolidation of previous learning and won't be a new concept.

In Secondary School, all homework is set on Microsoft Teams, so that teachers and students can easily track tasks and deadlines. We have a homework timetable to provide clarity and consistency. Students at Key Stage 3 should expect roughly 60-90 minutes of homework per day, while those at IGCSE and IBDP level will have more. 

Our After School Activities (ASAs) programme enhances student learning. We believe that every child benefits from involvement in activities outside of the classroom. Our ASAs include sport, performance, academics, community, and expression. Students are encouraged to try new things, take risks, and give back to the community - essential elements of becoming a lifelong learner and leader.

We currently offer more than 120 ASAs, taught largely at no cost by our teaching staff. For some activities, we employ expert external coaches, and these do involve additional costs, which are payable at the beginning of each term. Our ASA programme runs from 3.15-4.15pm, with some activities scheduled before school and at weekends.

We pride ourselves on being an academically excellent school. Our students earn places at the world’s best universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial College, Warwick, Duke, University of California, Erasmus, Hong Kong University, KAIST, Seoul National University and many, many more. In fact, since 2016, 50% of our graduates have gone on to study at one of the world’s top 100 universities.

At IGCSE level, more than two-thirds of students are awarded grades at A/A* or equivalent – the very highest grades at this level. Our average IBDP score in 2025 was 37 points, significantly above the global average.

To withdraw a studentfromNAIS Pudong, aparentorguardianmust submit notice in writing (and receipt of this notice must be confirmed). Please email: admissions@naispudong.com.

The withdrawal notice should be submitted at least six weeks prior to the student’s intended last day of school. Iftheleavingnoticeissubmittedduringapublicholiday,itwillbedeemedasreceivedbytheschoolonthefirstdayfollowing thepublic holiday.

Anyrefundswillonlybeconsideredaftertheleavingconfirmationletteris sent by our Admissions Team and the withdrawalprocedures are complete.

Our Finance Team willcontactparentsviaemailtocompleterefundprocedure.Thebelow itemsare requiredtocomplete therefund process:

• Ensure school property, such as library books, iPads, a laptop and charger, are returned.
• Ensure there are no outstanding fees.
• Confirm bank information.

Students who do not notify the school of withdrawal will be considered as re-enrolled for the following year.

There is a cancellation charge of RMB16,000 if a student does not attend NAIS Pudong after a place has been reserved. Unused school fees will be fully refunded if parents pay in advance. 

Refunds

Resourcing fee

The resourcing fee is fully refundable when a student leaves the school. All accounts need to have been settled in full, all school property returned without damage, and written notice provided six weeks in advance of the child’s last day of school (holidays excluded).

Tuition fees

If a student withdraws from school during the academic year, and the withdrawal notice has been submitted at least six weeks prior to the child’s last day, all remaining pre-paid tuition will be refunded in full.

If a six-week withdrawal notice has not been given, six weeks of tuition will be deducted from the refund.

School bus fees

Once a term commences, refunds cannot be provided for school bus fees.

Terms and conditions

Onceastudentjoins our school, fees will be chargeduntil they leave.Therearenorefundsforperiodsofabsence.

If a withdrawal notice is submitted but a student still attends school for the term in which they are supposed to leave,tuitionfeeswillbechargedon a weeklycyclebasisandtherefundwillbedeductedaccordingly.

Any refund or release of school records is dependent upon satisfactory completion of our withdrawal procedures, the returnof allschoolproperty,and the clearanceofaccounts.

NAIS Pudong reservestherighttoamenditspoliciesandfeestructurewhenever it is considerednecessaryand/orappropriate.We make these policies available to parents through our website. It is the parent or guardian’sresponsibilityto ensurethat they understand these policies.