Welcome to the International School of Zürich North (ISZN)
At ISZN, we combine a British curriculum with a caring, international environment that encourages every student to explore their potential and achieve academic excellence. From our dual-language early years through to A-Levels, students learn to think critically, act with respect, and build the resilience to thrive at university and in life.
Our Principal James Stenning is proud to welcome you to ISZN.
“I am trying to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, to thrive and to grow in a fast changing world."
- Mr James Stenning, Principal
Vision & Values
We are a global community that embraces diversity and celebrates our core values…
KINDNESS
We are friendly and empathetic to the feelings and needs of others.
RESPECT
We choose words and actions that demonstrate respect for ourselves, others, and our wider environment.
RESILIENCE
We are resourceful, self-motivated and demonstrate perseverance when facing challenges.
Why Families Choose ISZN
At ISZN, families find a caring international community that blends academic ambition with individual attention. Guided by the British curriculum from Nursery to A-Levels, our students grow in knowledge, confidence and character — prepared for university and for life.
A Clear British Pathway
From dual-language Early Years to A-Levels, ISZN provides a continuous and internationally recognised education that builds solid academic foundations and prepares students for global and Swiss universities.
Small Classes, Individual Attention
With an average of 15 students per class, teachers know each learner personally. Lessons are dynamic, individual progress is visible, and students gain the confidence to take initiative and achieve their best.
A Welcoming Community
ISZN brings together Swiss and international families in a close-knit environment. Respect, kindness and resilience shape daily life, helping students settle quickly and feel part of something bigger.
Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom
Sports, art, drama and technology encourage exploration and teamwork. Through co-curricular activities, students discover their interests, develop leadership and enjoy a balanced school life.
Wellbeing and Care
Every child’s wellbeing is central to our approach. Supportive teachers and a safe, positive atmosphere ensure students are ready to learn, grow and contribute.
Convenient and Connected
Our campus, just four minutes from Wallisellen station, combines modern facilities with full-day structure — supporting busy families with reliable routines and a strong sense of community.
Join us for a Personal Tour
We warmly welcome families throughout the year, offering tailored personal tours on a day that suits you, including school holidays.
Facilities & Location
Ready for a nurturing learning environment
Our Primary and Secondary schools share a newly remodelled campus with modern amenities. Conveniently located near Wallisellen train station, the campus is easily accessible from various directions.
Our big and bright classrooms and the modern technical equipment lay the foundation for a nurturing learning environment.
EXTRA CURRICULAR & CLUBS
Ready to explore all their talents
We believe that co-curricular activities form a crucial part of the learning of our students, as they help them to find a passion, which is something that every student should be aiming for.
Getting out of their comfort zones will enable them to gain soft skills which will be useful in all areas of their lives.
OUR TEACHERS
Ready to be part of a caring, inclusive community
Our staff body is as diverse as our student community and is a sign of the true internationality of our school. All our teachers are highly qualified and undergo regular professional development to be up-to-date in regard to trends and innovation in teaching to ensure the best possible education for your child.
BEGIN AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE
We welcome students into our Nursery from the age of 3 months and accompany them through all stages of their learning until their graduation after grade 12.
3 months - 6 years
6 - 12 years
12 - 14 years
14 - 16 years
5 easy steps
#ISZNExcitingNews ⛸️ Our Grade 6s hit the ice – and didn’t look back!
From confident, speedy skaters to those taking their very first careful steps, everyone embraced the challenge and supported one another along the way. It was a day full of movement, laughter, growing confidence, and real connection.
A few words straight from our students say it best:
“Playing hockey was a blast!”
“Fun to skate and celebrate the festive season without falling down!”
“Brilliant hanging out with my friends – they taught me a lot!”
Moments like these remind us how powerful learning beyond the classroom can be.
#WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #SkateDay #Community #Grade6 #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #StudentVoice #SchoolLife #ConfidenceBuilding #ActiveLearning #WellbeingInEducation #InternationalSchoolZurichNorth #WinterMoments #LearningTogether
#ISZNExcitingNews 🧪 Grade 1 and 2 Students Explore, Design, and Engineer at Annual Science Fair
This week, our Grade 1 and 2 students showed us what meaningful learning looks like in action. At ISZN’s annual Science and Engineering Fair, classrooms became spaces for curiosity, testing ideas, and creative problem-solving.
Students explored the properties of materials, invited parents to investigate alongside them, and confidently explained what they observed. From Grade 1 sensory stations to Grade 2 3D game designs, every project reflected careful thinking, teamwork, and purposeful design.
What stood out most was how clearly students could talk about their learning—why they chose certain materials, how they adapted their designs, and what they would improve next.
👉 Read the full article here in our bio or go to iszn.ch/school-news/
#WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #ISZNCommunity #PrimaryLearning #LearningByDoing #YoungEngineers #YoungScientists #InquiryBasedLearning #HandsOnLearning #InternationalSchoolZurichNorth #EducationInAction
#ISZNExcitingNewsISZN Welcomes Doukas School Students for a Day of Learning and Connection 💡🌍
Last week, we had the joy of welcoming 40 students and staff from @doukas_school School in Greece – a wonderful moment of cultural exchange and connection within our @cognitaschools family.
Our students showed incredible leadership and hospitality, from hosting a lively Science Quiz to sharing moments of music, conversation, and new friendships. Visits like this remind us how powerful international learning experiences can be.
👉 Curious to see more? Read the full story in our bio or go to iszn.ch/school-news/
#WeAreCognita #WeAreISZN #ISZN #Community #StudentLeadership #GlobalLearning #SchoolLife
#ISZNInsights Meet Chris Derrick: Leading ISZN’s Secondary School with Purpose and Vision
What does strong secondary education look like? For Chris Derrick, it starts with clarity, consistency, and a team that believes in every learner’s potential.
Since joining ISZN, Chris has focused on building systems that help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. He speaks openly about the power of great teaching, the importance of confidence and challenge, and why global citizenship should be lived daily — not just taught.
👉 Discover the full interview in our bio or go to iszn.ch/blog/
#WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #SecondaryEducation #LeadershipInEducation #HighQualityLearning #ZurichSchools #HolisticEducation #GlobalCitizenship #TeacherGrowth #FutureReady
#ISZNInsights Meet Sarah Lowery, Our Newly Appointed Head of Primary 💡
Every strong school community is shaped by the people who lead it with heart. Today, we’re excited to spotlight Sarah Lowery, our newly appointed Head of Primary – a leader who brings warmth, vision, and a clear sense of purpose to our school.
In her interview, Sarah shares what inspires her, what she hopes to build for our learners, and how connection, curiosity, and kindness guide her every day at ISZN.
👉 Discover the full interview in our bio or go to iszn.ch/blog.
#WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #InternationalEducation #PrimarySchool #Leadership #ZurichSchools #EducationInSwitzerland #GlobalCitizenship #HolisticEducation #SchoolCommunity #LearningAndTeaching #PositiveEducation #TeacherGrowth #WholeChildEducation #CuriosityDrivenLearning #LeadersInEducation
#WorldChildrensDay ISZN Celebrates Our Students and Their Rights 🩵
Yesterday, we came together for a special World Children’s Day workshop with Loredana I. Zeffirini, exploring the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in a way that felt clear, meaningful, and empowering. Our Primary students filled the room with raised hands, bright ideas, and the confidence that their voices matter.
We ended the celebration outdoors, releasing colourful balloons carrying messages about children’s rights. It was a joyful moment that reminded all of us why these conversations matter so much. 💙🎈
Thank you to our facilitator, our teachers, and our amazing students for bringing so much energy and heart to the day.
#WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #StudentVoice #ChildrensRights #EducationMatters #InternationalEducation #LearningTogether #Community #UNICEF #GlobalCitizenship #Children
#ISZNExcitingNews 🏐✨ Girls’ sport at ISZN is surging – and this week proved it.
Our first women’s volleyball tournament marked a major step forward. Four schools competed, the games were tight, and our ISZN team showed real talent and leadership. Grade 11 student Sarah stood out once again, leading with confidence and representing the high level of athletes growing at ISZN.
This momentum is spreading through the whole sports programme. Volleyball is rising. Basketball is rising. Our Primary girls are national champions. Families who want an empowering environment for their daughters are finding it here.
This is only the start – and you can read the full story below.
👉 Read more in our bio or go to iszn.ch/school-news/
#WeAreISZN 💙🙌
#ISZN #InternationalSchoolZurichNorth #ZurichSchools #GirlsInSport #SchoolSports #StudentLife #YouthSports #VolleyballLife #EducationInZurich #WeAreCognita #ISZNIbex
#ISZNNews Anti-Bullying Week 2025 at ISZN: Power for Good in Action
At ISZN, we used Anti-Bullying Week 2025 to explore how Power for Good shows up in everyday school life. We introduced simple, practical activities that helped students understand how their choices impact others – from positive communication to empathy, support and teamwork.
Across the school, students created posters, shared messages, worked on kindness challenges, and took part in age-appropriate conversations about respect. Secondary students added their voice through the “Window Wall,” while Primary led activities like the Kindness Chain, Buddy Challenge and “Fill Your Bucket.”
This was a chance for us to strengthen our values – Respect, Kindness and Resilience – and give students real opportunities to put them into action.
👉 Read the full story in our bio or go to iszn.ch/school-news/
#AntiBullyingWeek2025 #PowerForGood #WeAreISZN #WeAreCognita #ISZN #InternationalSchool #Zurich #Education #SchoolCommunity #StudentLife #Wellbeing #Kindness #Respect #Resilience #SchoolsThatInspire #LearningTogether
ISZN School News
Discover what makes our school community vibrant and unique. From student achievements and learning highlights to sports victories, performing arts showcases, and school accreditations—explore how we bring our values to life.
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14/12/2025
An ISZN student achieved the highest IGCSE English Language score in Switzerland in the May/June 2025 Pearson Edexcel examination series and was recognised with an Outstanding Pearson...
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11/12/2025
The ISZN Science and Engineering Fair 2025 was a powerful success! Our Grade 1 and 2 students mastered material properties, solving unexpected challenges and demonstrating safety-first awareness...
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09/12/2025
ISZN welcomed students and staff from Doukas School in Athens for a day of science, collaboration and cultural exchange. Their visit, part of a wider educational journey...
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14/12/2025
An ISZN student achieved the highest IGCSE English Language score in Switzerland in the May/June 2025 Pearson Edexcel examination series and was recognised with an Outstanding Pearson...
-
11/12/2025
The ISZN Science and Engineering Fair 2025 was a powerful success! Our Grade 1 and 2 students mastered material properties, solving unexpected challenges and demonstrating safety-first awareness...
-
09/12/2025
ISZN welcomed students and staff from Doukas School in Athens for a day of science, collaboration and cultural exchange. Their visit, part of a wider educational journey...
