Jakarta’s Leading British School
The Independent School of Jakarta: Setting a New Standard in International Education
Only four years in, The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) is already outperforming international benchmarks and redefining what families can expect from a British education in Indonesia. With exceptional academic results, a close-knit community, and leadership drawn from some of the UK’s most respected independent schools, ISJ has quickly established itself as one of Jakarta’s most ambitious and high-performing international schools.
Outperforming the Benchmarks
Across core subjects, ISJ pupils are achieving results that place them well above both UK and international averages. In recent GL Education assessments—used by leading British independent and international schools worldwide—ISJ year 7 pupils recorded the following mean Standard Age Scores (SAS):
| Subject | ISJ Mean SAS | International Mean / Norm |
|---|---|---|
| English (PTE) | 122 | 104.6 |
| Maths (PTM) | 118.7 | 101 |
| Science (PTS) | 119.7 | 103.1 |
| Reading (AR NRSS) | 113.1 | 100 |
| Spelling (NGST) | 116.7 | 100 |
These results place ISJ pupils among the top 10% of international schools globally, a remarkable achievement for a school in its early years.
“Higher expectations across the board—staff, leaders, pupils. You feel it in behaviour, energy, even happiness.”
— Eileen Fisher, Academic Director
Such performance is not accidental. It reflects the school’s culture of high expectations, exceptional teaching, and a belief that every pupil can achieve beyond standard benchmarks when they are known, supported, and challenged in equal measure.
Understanding the Benchmarks: What GL Assessments Measure
ISJ uses GL Education assessments to track academic progress from Year 3 onwards. These standardised tests, widely adopted across British independent schools and leading international institutions, provide a Standard Age Score (SAS) that allows direct comparison with UK and global norms.
Because these tests are statistically normed against tens of thousands of pupils each year, ISJ’s data demonstrates that its pupils are not only meeting but exceeding the levels achieved in top British and international schools. This provides families with assurance that their child’s progress is measured against a robust, globally recognised benchmark—not simply internal school standards.
How ISJ Compares to UK and International Schools
Across the UK, the national average in GL Assessments sits close to 100. Selective British independent and preparatory schools—the likes of those in the Girls’ Day School Trust or the HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference)—typically average between 110 and 115, with the very highest-performing schools achieving around 118–122.
ISJ’s 2025 results, ranging from 113 to 122 across English, Maths, and Science, therefore align directly with the upper range of leading British prep schools and surpass the performance of most international schools in the region.
This is especially notable given Jakarta’s educational landscape, where schools vary widely in curriculum rigour and outcomes. For ISJ to achieve such parity with the best of the UK sector—within just four years of opening—speaks to the school’s recruitment strategy, curriculum design, and academic ethos.
At ISJ, assessments are not treated as isolated events but as part of a continuous cycle of reflection and improvement. The school’s data-led approach ensures that every pupil’s learning journey is monitored carefully, allowing teachers to provide targeted support where it matters most.
What Drives These Results
Behind the numbers lies a set of clear educational principles that shape daily life at ISJ.
High-Calibre Teaching Staff
ISJ is led by teachers with experience in leading British independent or outstanding UK schools. This ensures that the same standards of classroom practice, subject knowledge, and pastoral care found in the UK are replicated in Jakarta. Teachers are selected not only for their qualifications but for their commitment to nurturing confident, articulate, and curious young people.
Depth and Breadth of Curriculum
The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum, enhanced by the depth and enrichment typical of UK independent schools. This means pupils move beyond surface learning—exploring context, problem-solving, and real-world application. Each subject area is designed to develop both mastery of content and transferable skills such as analysis, creativity, and collaboration.
Small Class Sizes and Individual Attention
As a single-entry school, ISJ maintains small class sizes that allow teachers to know each pupil individually. This personal scale enables early intervention, differentiated support, and encouragement that builds confidence. Parents regularly comment that this environment gives their children a sense of belonging that larger institutions struggle to replicate.
Professional Development and Collaboration
ISJ invests heavily in the professional development of its teachers. Through The Schools Trust network, staff participate in cross-school training, peer observation, and curriculum planning with partner schools in the UK and Europe. This keeps teaching practice sharp, current, and connected to the latest research in British education.
A Culture of Aspiration
Perhaps most importantly, ISJ fosters a culture in which achievement is celebrated but never isolated from kindness, respect, and effort. Pupils are taught that striving for excellence includes perseverance, empathy, and resilience—qualities that underpin success far beyond the classroom.
The Value of Benchmarking for Families
For expatriate and internationally mobile families, benchmark data offers more than academic reassurance—it provides continuity. When a child’s progress is measured against UK and global standards, transitions between schools or countries become smoother and more predictable.
Parents relocating from London to Jakarta, or onward to Singapore or Dubai, can be confident that ISJ’s reporting aligns with internationally recognised metrics. Universities and senior schools worldwide are familiar with GL scores, which adds further value when planning long-term educational pathways.
At ISJ, benchmarking is not about competition; it’s about clarity. By analysing assessment data at both individual and cohort levels, teachers identify learning patterns early, ensuring that every pupil is stretched and supported in equal measure. This thoughtful, data-informed approach mirrors that of high-performing British independents.
Beyond the Numbers: Education for Life
While ISJ’s assessment outcomes are exceptional, they represent only one dimension of a much broader educational vision. The school’s ethos is rooted in developing well-rounded young people—those who are intellectually curious, socially confident, and emotionally resilient.
The focus on enquiry-led learning encourages pupils to ask thoughtful questions, form reasoned opinions, and approach challenges creatively. Whether through classroom discussions, music, art, or sports, ISJ pupils learn to balance ambition with empathy and individuality with teamwork.
This holistic approach is not incidental—it is central to ISJ’s definition of a British education. The measure of success lies as much in character and contribution as in grades and test scores.
A Living Link to the UK
ISJ’s approach to education draws directly from the same best practices, expertise, and professional networks that define the UK’s leading independent and preparatory schools. Many of ISJ’s senior educators and advisers have held positions within schools such as Queen’s College, London, Ipswich High School, and Craigclowan Preparatory School—institutions known for their academic excellence, strong pastoral systems, and holistic approach to pupil development.
This shared foundation ensures that ISJ delivers not only the structure of a British curriculum but also the ethos and expectations of the UK independent sector: intellectual curiosity, confidence through character, and care that runs deep through the life of the school.
Building on these professional and cultural connections, ISJ pupils in Years 7 and 8 have been invited to spend two weeks each year at Ipswich High School. During this immersive programme, pupils attend lessons, participate in joint projects and enrichment activities, and experience life within one of Britain’s most respected independent school communities.
The exchange offers far more than a change of setting—it gives ISJ pupils a living connection to British school life. They return to Jakarta with a renewed sense of independence, global awareness, and shared values: academic rigour, curiosity, and respect.
The collaboration also extends to teachers. Through professional dialogue and shared practice with UK counterparts, ISJ staff continue to refine their curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment approaches—ensuring that ISJ’s educational standards remain aligned with those of the best schools in Britain.
The Verdict
ISJ may be young, but it is already achieving outcomes that place it among the world’s best British international schools. Its pupils perform at the level of top-tier UK prep schools, its leadership brings proven independent-school expertise, and its culture combines high expectations with personal warmth.
In just four years, ISJ has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and innovation. For families seeking a school that values both achievement and character, ISJ offers something rare: a genuine British education delivered in Jakarta, with results to prove it.