Our History

In 2012, four visionary parents set out to build a pioneering educational community.

Amidst the increasing marketisation of both state and independent schools, they perceived a growing trend: education was being treated as a business rather than a platform to serve the academic and developmental needs of young people. Determined to challenge this trend, they founded Halcyon, a not-for-profit international school, with community and innovation at its heart. In 2013, we opened our doors, and our founders’ vision became a reality.

Halcyon’s story is one of innovation, collaboration, and community.

This pioneering approach attracted like-minded individuals who believed in pursuing what was right, not what was fashionable. With their combined experience in international education, they chose the International Baccalaureate (IB) as the cornerstone of our curriculum, recognising its unique ability to foster both academic and personal development in the quest for a better and more peaceful world.

The founders understood that, like any field or industry, innovation was crucial. Our expert teachers leveraged the IB curriculum as a springboard for this innovation: integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance our students’ ingenuity and capabilities; pursuing a student-centred ‘behaviour’ policy based on values rather than rules. This policy built the capacity of both staff and students to strengthen and grow from mistakes, fostering a community in which everyone felt safe, happy, and valued. In which everyone could prosper.

Our founders' vision was clear from the start: to create an institution where fees were reinvested into the school community rather than distributed to shareholders; invested in developing and maintaining an exceptional education, dedicated to drawing out the unique potential of each student.

One decade on, Halcyon remains true to its founding principles. The school continues to nurture an environment where everyone feels secure and appreciated, thanks to its value-driven approach and commitment to innovation. As we step into the next decade, Halcyon has formed a dedicated Innovation Team focused on exploring the potentials of AI, service, and international mindedness. This team continues to view education as a means to serve the academic and developmental needs of young people, drawing out their unique potential, ready to build a better and more peaceful world.