65 Years of ICS

The 1950s

The Rise of the English-Speaking Community in Zurich

In the late 1950s, a growing number of English-speaking expatriates in Zurich began discussing the need for an English-speaking school for their children. At the time, most expat children either attended local Swiss schools or were sent to boarding schools in their home countries.

The expatriate community was expanding, with families arriving through companies such as Dow Chemicals, Associated Electrical Industries, Ford and Swissair. Swissair’s international recruitment of pilots, including many Australians in 1957, contributed significantly to this growth.

Parents, Community Leadership and the Formation of a Committee

Among them were the Falkner family, who recall that conversations about starting a school took place frequently among parents, often after church services. The Rev. Donald Mossman, the English Chaplain in Zurich, helped connect interested families and lay the groundwork for action.

As more expatriates with business and legal expertise arrived, the idea began to take clearer shape. A committee of British, Australian, American and Canadian parents formed to explore establishing a new school.

English businessman Brian Burnett became a driving force behind the initiative, joining the committee with determination to see the project realised.

Appointing School Leadership and the Decision to Move Forward

On the recommendation of Rev. Mossman, Gerald and Kay Atkinson, experienced educators from the Pestalozzi Kinderdorf, were invited to lead the new school.

In March 1960, a decisive committee meeting brought together the Atkinsons and committed parents, and after four hours of discussion, firm agreement was reached to move forward with the project.

The 1960s

Beginnings and Vision

Gerald Atkinson, ICS’s founder, left school at 16 and had no university education or formal teaching qualification. Despite this, his intelligence, humour, determination, discipline, and compassion shaped the school’s early success. He discovered progressive education while selling violins and soon began a teaching career at St Christopher School in Hertfordshire. After the war, he used his Air Force pension to establish a prep school in Lancashire and later invested personally to equip ICS in Zurich.

Early Challenges

The first ICS Nativity in December 1960 shows him as a typical upright, straight-backed Englishman of his generation. Early challenges included a last-minute change of classrooms, using the Hotel Rigiblick, and designing a curriculum for children from around the world. ICS overcame these difficulties with the support of the Atkinsons and a committed committee of parents.

Establishing a Home

The school was legally established as a foundation in 1968, and Gerald Atkinson served on the governing Board of the International Schools Association. Temporary classrooms included a basement room at Mission Catholique, where students contended with trams rattling past. A year after opening, ICS finally moved to Seefeldquai 41, a building once used by exiled King Peter of Yugoslavia and later the Turkish Consulate.

Gerald Atkinson - The Founding Headmaster of ICS.

Here, in a school were nationality was of no importance, was the opportunity to practise this and demonstrate that national prejudices need not be perpetuated in school.Gerald Atkinson
The Founding Headmaster

1970s

Searching for Space

As ICS grew, the villa at Seefeldquai became too small, so in 1967 Grades 3–7 moved into an office block in Regensdorf. Students faced six flights of stairs and had only a rooftop terrace and a nearby cow field for play. Despite the challenges, the move relieved some pressure on Seefeldquai.

Transition Years

In 1969, ICS was given notice to leave Seefeldquai, but new options emerged: a wing in Dubendorf and farmland in Zumikon. From 1970 to 1973, the school operated across Regensdorf and Dubendorf, connected by buses and regular visits from the Atkinsons. Teachers and students adapted to split facilities, shared gyms, swimming pools, and the occasional disruption from military planes.

A Permanent Home in Zumikon

In January 1973, ICS moved into the purpose-built Zumikon campus with halls, playgrounds, and sports fields. Robert Lilburn returned as headmaster in 1971, guiding the school for the next 25 years. For students, Zumikon brought freedom, a close-knit community, and unforgettable experiences. The school now had all grades under one roof, marking the start of a new era in ICS history.

Photo: The entire ICS Staff in 1975, sitting on the field behind the school.

The 1980s

Facing Growth and Choices

By 1985, ICS had grown with new extensions in Zumikon, a library, and a kindergarten, yet pressure to expand remained. The school faced a choice: stay small to preserve its personal touch, or grow to serve Zurich’s growing English-speaking community. The arrival of companies like General Motors highlighted the urgent need for international education.

Exploring the Options

To guide the way, a special sub-committee led by Paul Brink examined the school’s strengths, weaknesses, and future possibilities. They concluded any expansion must protect the ‘special spirit’ that made ICS unique. Discussions with other international schools explored collaboration rather than competition, including shared grades and a joint Middle School.

At the same time, ICS embraced technology early, introducing its first computer on a trolley around 1981–82. By 1984, the school became a Macintosh pioneer, with parent Charles Kubler helping bring machines from Asia. Students explored programming with Logo and simple graphics, while word processing led to the first electronic school reports—laying the foundation for the digital systems still in use today.

The first ICS Computer Room 1981-82.

Facing Growth and Choices

In 1987, ICS introduced 8th Grade, marking its first step into secondary education, with plans to expand further to 10th Grade. Limited space led to temporary pavilions and the rental of the Farlifang gym to accommodate the growing student body. Support from teachers, families, and companies confirmed that secondary expansion was both needed and welcomed. Through careful planning, ICS embraced growth while preserving the personal touch that had defined the school for decades.

The 1990s

Expanding into Secondary

The first Secondary students arrived in autumn 1987, marking a new chapter as ICS began carefully planning its expansion with support from companies, Chambers of Commerce, and advice from other international schools.

Grade 9 was added in 1990 and Grade 10 in 1991, with Nick Darlington leading recruitment efforts and advocating strongly for growth.

The transition from a purely Primary school brought new dynamics, along with the addition of temporary classrooms, laboratories and art rooms.

Even while operating in temporary facilities, staff remember the 1990s as an energetic and pioneering period defined by collaboration, innovation and determination.

Shaping an International Curriculum

Students began studying for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), while discussions with Zurich-based companies led ICS to adopt the IB Diploma in 1994, setting the school apart locally.

The introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) transformed the school’s reputation, and within two years waiting lists had formed.

At the same time, Primary leaders explored new curriculum directions, ultimately introducing the IB Primary Years Programme to create a coherent international pathway.

The Secondary Building

By the mid-1990s, enrolment had surged to nearly 600 students, stretching facilities and prompting the Board to commit to permanent expansion of the Zumikon campus.

The ambitious “ICS 2000” project moved forward with strong community support and steady progress.

When the new Secondary building opened at the end of the decade, it symbolised resilience, vision and a bold commitment to the school’s future growth.

The 2000s

A New Millennium, A New Building

The completion of the new Secondary building in March 2000 marked a proud milestone for ICS and an important step into the new Millennium. The Board’s Building Committee, guided by experienced mentors, delivered a clean-lined, light-filled building on time and within a carefully managed budget. Head of School John Young described it as “like my baby”, recognising how the new building and the IB Diploma Programme strengthened the school’s future.

A Unified IB Vision

Having arrived from Vienna in 1996, John and Maggie Young were strong supporters of the International Baccalaureate. He proposed introducing the IB Middle Years Programme to create a seamless IB pathway throughout the school. Through thoughtful discussions led by IB Coordinator Peter Mackenzie, the MYP was chosen for its rich philosophy and emphasis on community and service. The introduction of the MYP aligned learning from Primary through to the Diploma Programme under one coherent vision.

Growing International Presence

In 2002, Michael Matthews joined ICS from Thailand, inspired by Zurich and the school’s welcoming atmosphere. With enrolment strong, he focused on enhancing communication and raising the school’s international profile. By the end of the decade, ICS combined a modern learning environment with a growing global reputation and deep engagement within the IB community.

The 2010s

The 50th Jubilee

The school’s 50th Jubilee marked a joyful milestone, celebrated throughout the year with special events that brought the community together. Highlights included visits from author Ian Whybrow and illustrator Korky Paul, who inspired Primary students to publish their own commemorative book.

Grade Four students brought the Jubilee celebrations to a spectacular close by working with Circus Balloni to stage a memorable circus performance for the community. The year concluded with a heartfelt farewell to Primary Principal Mr Brett Penny as he moved on to a new leadership role in Bangkok.

Growth, Spaces and Community

Increased space in the Primary Building allowed the creation of a new IT Lab, enabling Kindergarten to Grade 2 students to learn on site while other classes also benefited from the facility. Continued growth led to Grade 10 students being based in the Diploma Studies Centre, where they settled in well and shared the space successfully with Diploma students.

A satellite library was opened in the DSC, and ICS’s membership of Round Square became more visible as we hosted our first conference for Grade 6 students focused on democracy and later welcomed our first exchange student from Methodist Ladies’ College in Sydney. Middle School athletics expanded to include new programmes such as Netball, Volleyball and Badminton, reflecting a broadening of opportunities.

Innovation, Sustainability and Student Wellbeing

ICS strengthened its Green Spirit initiative, improving recycling, energy efficiency and sustainability projects across campus. Hosting the annual European Google for Education Summit highlighted our commitment to professional development and the effective use of technology to support learning.

Major campus projects enhanced learning spaces for modern educational approaches, while the introduction of a mobile-free Middle School created a more focused environment for students. The dedicated Extended Care provision further enriched support for our youngest learners before and after school.

The 2020s

The COVID Challenge

The 2020s presented ICS with one of the most significant global challenges of modern education as COVID impacted schools around the world. ICS did more than endure; it flourished, learning powerful lessons and witnessing commitment across its community. Guided by the belief that learning must continue, ICS did not close during the pandemic but adapted with purpose.

Students transitioned from Learning@Home to Learning@Campus within a ‘Healthy Learning’ philosophy that prioritised not only hygiene, but the holistic wellbeing of the community. The return to campus was not simply logistical, but human — focused on restoring belonging and reinjecting the true spirit of ICS despite necessary restrictions.

Introducing Nursery and Student Life

As the 2020–2021 academic year began, the new Nursery opened its doors, welcoming children aged 18 months to 3 years into dedicated facilities within the Primary building. This milestone reflected ICS’s commitment to its youngest learners and their families.

In 2023, the launch of the Student Life Programme broadened co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, strengthening engagement through international tournaments and shared outdoor experiences, fostering growth and connection across the school community.

Campus Development Project

The Campus Development Project marked a transformative new chapter, consolidating all grades onto a single purpose-built campus. The 2024–2025 academic year saw the completion of a new entrance and exit road and the Pavilion, a modular learning space ensuring uninterrupted operations during construction.

Stage 2 now extends the Secondary School building to create inspiring new spaces for the arts, including Visual Arts, Theatre, and Music, alongside performance halls and additional office space. 

The Grand Opening of the full campus extension is planned to take place in August 2026, marking another great milestone in this decade.

ICS continues its strategic commitment to providing an enriching and dynamic environment for both students and staff.