Brighton College Bangkok is an academically selective school for children aged 2-18 years that promises a challenging academic curriculum, outstanding pastoral care, and wide choice of extra-curricular activities. In line with its high-profile sister school in the UK, the college offers IGCSEs and – since launching its sixth form in 2019 – A Levels.

Brighton College Bangkok brings a very British education to Bangkok. As the sister school of Brighton College UK, which is one of the UK’s top independent schools, we would expect nothing less. This school for students aged 2 to 18 years replicates the authentic Brighton College experience, from the academic rigour of its curriculum through to the traditional house system.

Its purpose-built 20-acre campus in the Krungthep Kreetha area of eastern Bangkok opened with a Pre-Prep School (Nursery to Year 3) in 2016; the Prep School (Years 4 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 11) opened in September 2017; and Years 12 to 13 opened in 2019.

The school has the capacity for up to 1,500 students, boys and girls, and currently has a student body of just under 400. It follows the National Curriculum for England, which works towards IGCSEs and A Levels for senior students. The academic year runs from August to July.

We’ve seen the Brighton College UK model work well internationally in the UAE. Brighton College Abu Dhabi is a WhichSchoolAdvisor.com Top School, and it has been rated Outstanding by the Abu Dhabi Education Council; its sister school in Al Ain is also rated Outstanding. And you sense a strong culture of excellence at Brighton College Bangkok, which is an academically selective school with a demanding curriculum and very academic environment.

In the school’s own words,

“Our expectations are high but children rise to these challenges and thrive on the opportunities that they are awarded.”

A very British education
Brighton College Bangkok follows the National Curriculum for England throughout all year groups – and the school channels children for achievement and excellence from a very young age.

The Pre-Prep School for two to eight year-olds talks about “supporting, challenging and inspiring every child to achieve their very best academically, in the arts and sporting arenas”. As well as focusing on the academic subjects of reading, writing, phonics, grammar, punctuation, spelling, mathematics, computer science, and science, the school has specialist teachers in the arts, music, and sport. The school also combines history and geography to teach humanities as a single subject. All students from the age of four learn both Thai and Mandarin Chinese, and children are introduced to music by learning the ukulele and recorder.

The website says,

“We believe passionately in offering a wide range of sporting activities to all children from the outset, whatever their ability, celebrating successes and effort, as well as giving children their first taste of competitive play. We have purpose-built art rooms and dance studios ensuring that children are encourage and inspired creatively from their earliest school days.”

At the Prep School, students in Years 4 to 8 study maths, PE, music, science, wellbeing, performing arts, two languages from French, Mandarin, Spanish, and Thai, computing, art, English, and design and technology. The National Curriculum for England is given an international tweak to include lessons in Thai culture and the ‘story of our land’. Specialist teaching is introduced across the curriculum from Year 4, whereas most British schools will introduce this from Year 7.

“Children in Year 4 are at the right age to really benefit from this; their thirst for knowledge and love of learning makes them ready for the challenge. The advantage of teachers who are passionate about their subject is invaluable.

“Children who learn in a science laboratory with a science specialist and have the opportunity to use a dedicated design and technology suite at this age will have a more in-depth learning experience and the opportunities to really explore the practical side of such subjects.”

Once again there’s a lot of talk about “stretching and challenging” students within the school, so parents can expect their child to be pushed academically here. While the school stresses that learning should be fun, it does have high academic expectations. 

The school has been structured to encourage leadership and independence from a young age. Whereas most British schools start senior school in Year 7, Brighton College starts in Year 9. This gives Year 7 and 8 students the opportunity to act as young leaders and role models for the Prep School.

Once in Senior School, students study for their IGCSEs – English language, English literature, maths, physics, chemistry, biology, and four ‘option’ subjects. In the sixth form, the majority of students are expected to take four A Levels, with a choice of English, maths, further maths, physics, chemistry, biology, languages, economics, history, geography, art and design, design and technology, computing, and music.

The new Sixth Form, which opened in August 2019, offers students a choice of 21 different A Level subjects, and promises "many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom", including the chance to visit and study alongside A Level students at Brighton College in the UK.

Subjects available for A Level: art & design, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, design & technology, drama & theatre studies, economics, English language, English literature, French, geography, history, Mandarin, mathematics, further mathematics, music, physical education, physics, psychology, and Spanish.

The Brighton College experience
As we’ve seen in the UK and the UAE, the Brighton College brand isn’t just about academic excellence. A house system, a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing are all part of its DNA. While many schools will have a house system, it’s often limited to grouping students into teams for competitions. At Brighton College, though, the house system is what you’d expect at a boarding school; it provides considerable pastoral care to students.

All students are assigned to one of four houses, where house masters and mistresses and tutors “play an integral part in each child’s life at the college”. Each house has a physical base or hub within the school where students can socialise, study, or meet with teachers; there are house competitions in sport and non-sporting events; and the houses meet every morning and afternoon. It does feel as if students are getting the benefits of a boarding experience without having to stay the night. As the school says,

“Good pastoral care is not just an ‘add on’ or something that happens when things go wrong.”

Wellbeing is central to an education at Brighton College, and with all the talk about turning out “respectful” and “polite” students, you should expect your child to leave the school as well-mannered as they are educated. There’s a daily wellbeing session that can include tutor time, PSHE, assemblies, service-related activities, or house time. Throughout the year, students contribute to a Kindness Charter and take part in events such as Healthy Living day.

Sport and the arts
The family of Brighton College schools has a reputation for the quality of its arts performances. Not only are the arts an important part of the curriculum, they are well represented in the school’s extra-curricular programme. Lessons include drawing and sketching, painting with different media, modelling, weaving, photography, and computer aided design, as well as drama and expressive arts, poetry, and scripts. As well as hosting annual productions, the school offers students the opportunity to take part in choir, orchestra, and individual instrumental music tuition.

In terms of sport, the school certainly has the facilities to develop talent in swimming, athletics, and much more. In addition to the PE element of the curriculum, the school expects all students to commit to at least one team sport in its ECA programme; this includes football, basketball, netball, tennis, touch rugby, swimming, dance, gymnastics, orienteering, and badminton.

Beyond the classroom
There are many ways in which Brighton College Bangkok takes learning outside the classroom. It offers an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities. There’s also a trips programme that runs throughout the prep school; this starts with a simple residential experience such as Night in the Library for Year 2, and builds up to five-day residential trips. 

The school has established a strong community through activities such as community service programme, charitable events, and a young ambassadors programme that focuses on real-life careers.

Results
The college delivered its first cohort of IGCSE students in August 2019 – and the grades were impressive. Its first group of Year 11 students celebrated 100% A* – B grades, and 83% of grades A* or A. 

Head of prep and senior school, Vanessa Robitaille said: “We are thrilled and excited to receive our first IGCSE results. Our pupils have done extremely well and thoroughly deserve this success following their hard work and dedication."

Students in the college's first A Level cohort will sit their exams in 2021.

The campus
Brighton College Bangkok has a purpose-built, low rise campus that’s surrounded by greenery. You’ll find the state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with the latest technology, a library that flows throughout the campus, dedicated hubs for each house, and a performing arts centre with a 650-seat theatre, music practice rooms, and instrumental teaching room.

Sports facilities include a 50m and 25m swimming pool, sports hall, sports pitches, a fitness centre and dance studio, 400m athletics track, and tennis courts.

Leadership and faculty
The head teacher at Brighton College Bangkok is Mike Walton, who joined the school in 2019 having previously led the independent AKS Lytham school in the UK and Regents International School Pattaya in Thailand; his daughter joined the college's first Year 12 cohort in 2019.

Walton is an experienced educator in the international schools sector, and previously sat as chairman of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA), and as a board member of the International Schools Association in Thailand.

More than 20% of the teaching staff come directly from Brighton College, and more than 75% have worked at leading independent schools in the UK.

Admission and fees
Brighton College Bangkok is a selective school and all students will need to pass the entrance exam and interview to be accepted. It’s also one of the most expensive schools in Thailand, with fees ranging from THB 515,000 for pre-nursery up to THB 778,200 for Year 7 and THB 892,000 for Year 12.

Are you looking for a place for your child, and want help from our school consultants? If so, click on the link below, and we will forward your request for information to the school or schools of the same type that we are confident have availability. This is a free service for our readers. Request Information