ABOUT US
We are excited to be celebrating Uplands 70th Platinum anniversary. Click the button below for more details
About Uplands
Principal’s Welcome
Welcome to The International
School of Penang (Uplands)
Since 1955, Uplands has been at the heart of education in Malaysia, nurturing internationally minded students who make a difference in their communities. As a fully accredited member of the Council of International Schools and the International Baccalaureate, we are proud to offer a globally connected education rooted in best practices.
At Uplands, warmth and care define our community. From the moment you step onto our campus, you’ll feel the positive energy and support that make this school a home away from home. Through inquiry-based learning, vibrant extracurricular activities, and meaningful service opportunities, we help students discover who they are and what they can achieve.
Whether you are a prospective family exploring our school or a current community member, I invite you to visit us and experience the spirit of Uplands firsthand. Let’s make this academic year one of growth, connection, and incredible new opportunities!
Warm regards,
Dr. Marc Mesich
History
From
Penang Hill:Â
The founding of Uplands School dates from the period of the Malayan Emergency when a communist insurrection threatened the country’s peace and stability.Â
From
Penang Hill:Â
Attacks by insurgents against rubber estates led the Incorporated Society of Planters I.S.P. to seek a safe location where expatriate planters could send their young children to school while keeping them in Malaya.
From
Penang Hill:Â
Penang Hill was identified as a suitable location and the I.S.P. leased the premises of the former Crag Hotel on Penang Hill to open a new Primary Boarding School for approximately 60 children in mid January 1955.
From
Penang Hill:Â
Among its first pupils were children from a small private school called Uplands which had been run from a bungalow on Penang Hill before 1955. This small school was subsequently absorbed into the I.S.P.’s new school.Â
From
Penang Hill:Â
It is very likely that because the new School stood for high standards in education and was also at some altitude, it was seen as fitting that the name Uplands also be adopted and its students referred to as Uplanders.
From
Penang Hill:Â
The School had two parts – most of the buildings being at the Crag Hotel site, whilst the kindergarten was in Grace Dieu. Another Bungalow, Hillview, was also converted to be part of the School in 1965 to house the growing number of students. One highlight of that period on Penang Hill was the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.
From
Penang Hill:Â
Students at Uplands were either full boarders, or, if their parents lived in Penang, weekly boarders. To take them back to the School, the Hill Railway had to be used. In 1976, day students were accepted at the School. A year later in 1977, the Secondary School was started.
To Kelawai
Campus:
In 1977, Uplands left Penang Hill for its new home down at sea level, occupying the former St. Xavier’s Branch School on Kelawai Road in Pulau Tikus.Â
To Kelawai
Campus:
The Boarding House was set up nearby in an elegant mansion along Burmah Road and later moved on to York Road for a brief period in early 1990s.Â
To Kelawai
Campus:
It was not until 1988 that Uplands acquired the use of the former St Joseph’s Novitiate, a beautiful heritage building behind the Primary School facing Gurney Drive and the sea in a move that finally brought the whole school including boarders, together on the same campus.
To Kelawai
Campus:
Although the move down from Penang Hill made the name Uplands less apt, it was retained to preserve the School’s historical roots.
To Kelawai
Campus:
Becoming known officially as The International School of Penang (Uplands) not only preserves the school’s heritage but also reflects its evolution into a modern institution, while still retaining the initials I.S.P., which it shares with its founders.
To Our Home Now:
After 28 years in Pulau Tikus and 50 years in leased accommodation, Uplands experienced its biggest change of all, a move to our very own brand new purpose-built campus in Batu Feringgi.
To Our Home Now:
On September 9, 2006 hundreds of guests including the School’s Board of Governors, Consuls, Heads of Schools, parents and students gathered at the new campus to witness a most significant milestone in Uplands’ history- Grand Opening by the then Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. The event celebrated almost a decade of searching for appropriate land, planning and overcoming setbacks to finally realise the School’s vision to have its own permanent home.
To Our Home Now:
Despite the major changes in Uplands history, the School’s spirit and world class standards remain unchanged, if not stronger, with the beginning of a new era that promises to live up to its proud past. The journey does not end here – the School will continue to move forward in its quest for excellence and the universal values it instills in all it students, past, present and future.
UPLANDS STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2030
INSTITUTIONAL
LONGEVITY
Reaching towards longterm financial and operational continuity.
Our goal is to produce a healthy base in support of our future goals.
GLOBAL
MINDEDNESS
Working within the UN global goals to ensure that our students grow to be global citizens and are internationally minded. Ensuring that our actions as an organisation align with these goals.
INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAURETE
CONTINUUM
Striving towards being an IB continuum school. Working towards MYP accreditation.
WELLBEING
AND
INCLUSION
Placing wellbeing at the forefront of life at Uplands for students, staff, and wider community to ensure a safe, equitable, inclusive, and positive school environment.
SUPPORTING THE

DEVELOPMENT OF

MULTILINGUALISM
Developing an integrated approach to language learning, valuing our cultures and identity within a multilingual international community.
DEVELOPING OUR
SPACE AND
ENVIROMENT
Enhancing the school campus to be innovative and supportive of wellbeing and education. We aim to develop our campus in relationship with the environment around us.
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PENANG (UPLANDS)
FIND OUT MORE
School Campus
Safeguarding At Uplands
Designated Safeguarding Leads
Whole School Safe School Coordinator
Safe School Commitment
At Uplands, we are committed to ensuring all members of our community are provided with a safe environment, enabling them to achieve, thrive and develop. It is our stated intention to be proactive and diligent in ensuring all members of our community are kept safe from exploitation, abuse or harm.
Meet the Team
Lead (Secondary)
If you are concerned about the
welfare or safety of any child in
Secondary, please report your
concerns to Emily.
Lead (Primary)
welfare or safety of any child in
Primary, please report your
concerns to Jacqueline.
School Counselor
psychological support, our
school counselor Annalise is
always available for a talk.
Child Protection Governor
Any concerns regarding the
school’s child protection
procedures should be directed
to Mrs Leigh Pratt.
Safe School Coordinator
safe-school coordinator is
always ready to provide the
support needed.
Our Services
Transport
Our school bus service operates on a termly booking basis to ensure efficient planning. Bookings must be made for the full term, and if you wish to withdraw your child, written notice must be provided by mid-term to avoid being billed for the following term. Please note that withdrawals made during the term are non-refundable, as it is unlikely the seat will be filled once the term is in progress.
For families seeking more flexibility, a short-term school bus service is also available. This option is ideal for students who require transport for less than a full term and is subject to seat availability. The flexible service is charged at a fixed weekly rate, regardless of how many days the service is used during that week. You may refer to our bus service information for the full schedule of flexible rates for both one-way and two-way options.
If you are a new student and would like to book a seat on the school bus, please complete the bus registration e-form by clicking the link below.
Medical Care
The School employs a fully qualified nurse who is available on site from 7:30am until 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Medical and First-aid Care
In the event of a student requiring medical attention, they will go to the nurse at the medical room on site. It is equipped to deal with first aid and basic emergency treatment.
The school is within:
- 5 minutes drive to the nearest clinic in Batu Feringghi,
- 30 minutes drive of several excellent private hospitals.
