During the last few years with the entire world getting used to learning, working and socialising virtually more families have started to work online and realise the flexibility this gives them as far as locations to live are concerned. As more families re-evaluate their cost of living we are finding more parents looking further afield for good international schools. Phuket has long been an island paradise for local Thai families and a wonderful destination for travel to enjoy the beautiful beaches, clear skies and fresh air and now it’s beginning to look like a great southern educational hub for families to consider.
Location is one of the many important factors prospective parents have to weigh when choosing where to go to school – it’s also about the educational setting. Many families moving to Thailand don’t always find themselves living in the capital city of Bangkok. Corporate companies now have offices based outside of Bangkok creating the need for international schools to be located in the surrounding provinces.
There are many benefits to attending a school outside of a big city, generally they have bigger spaces & less pollution issues, far less traffic which results in less stress getting to and from school. Not only are the campuses larger they offer a wide range of outdoor activities, the green spaces offer a much calmer and zen environment to encourage learning and the added bonus of the large sprawling campuses for students means it’s easier to “get away from it all” even if that is just taking a leisurely walk around campus, or finding a green space amongst nature to sit and do homework. Rural or island schools offer students the opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings and greenery, being surrounded by nature is particularly beneficial for students mental and emotional welfare.
Attending a school outside of a big city you will often find both students and parents have a strong campus community which means you’re likely to run into people more frequently, which makes it easier to build long-lasting friendships and connections. You will also find due to the size of the campuses many on-site after school activities are available without having to rush around the city from one activity to the next.
With this is mind, over the last few years we have seen the emergence of many new International schools opening in provinces outside of Bangkok and in the other major cities across Thailand. Schools in Phuket offer as many different curriculum styles to choose from as in Bangkok, and some excellent teaching staff and educators have made Phuket their homes.
Due to the demand for good international education outside of Bangkok, we now have a dedicated category on our website created specifically for these excellent alternatives to big city education.
With the launch of our new website phuketkids.com coming in 2024 we are excited to be featuring some of these schools and helping families find the perfect fit for their children’s educational journey.
Featured Schools in Phuket
British International School, Phuket
British International School, Phuket (BISP) is a co-educational day and boarding school, established in 1996. The school is set in extensive landscaped grounds and benefits from a healthy tropical island environment. The school delivers the highest standards of teaching to an international community, emphasising a balance of learning, wellbeing and passion. BISP offers a British-international curriculum, opening with the play-based English Early Years curriculum and progressing into an internationalised British Primary programme. In Secondary, BISP students follow the British Secondary curriculum and undertake IGCSEs in Years 10 and 11. In Years 12 and 13, students study for the IB Diploma and are also entered for the US High School Diploma. BISP’s mission is to inspire learning, nurture wellbeing and ignite passion.
Take a Sneak Peek at BISP Q&A and School Tour
Finnway International School Phuket
Finland is recognised and envied by the rest of the world for two significant reasons. Firstly, their high-quality educational system, which has elevated them to achieve some of the highest academic results in the world. Secondly, the highest levels of happiness in the world that their children and adults enjoy. The Finnish way (Finnway) combines an academic curriculum of excellence with innovative learning engagement, where the educational process includes the happy, healthy and holistic development of the whole child. Imagine a proven school system where your child reaches exceptional academic heights, but the learning journey is one of personalised, fun, hands-on learning experiences, which makes your child excited to come to school every single day. Welcome to the exclusive education at Finnway International School Phuket.
RIS Ruamrudee International School Phuket
At RIS Phuket proudly offer a modified American curriculum that caters to students from pre-K onwards. Our approach is rooted in a carefully designed learning and development continuum, that aligns with American Education Reaches Out (AERO). This innovative approach extends across core subjects from kindergarten through middle school through, fostering a comprehensive educational journey. With our principle of Head, hands, and heart core values that guide our students in their academic, personal, and social development.
UWC Thailand International School
In commitment to the school motto of “Good Heart, Balanced Mind, Healthy Body”, UWC Thailand, a non-profit international school on the beautiful island of Phuket offers a holistic, transformative, and rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum education from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, including both day and boarding students.
UWC Thailand students benefit from our programming, grounded in mindfulness, outdoor experiential education, sports and service learning. These opportunities for continuous growth in a safe and nurturing environment allow students to develop the skills and dispositions that will transcend time and prepare them for the resilience needed in an ever-changing world.
As a member of the UWC movement, students attain an unparalleled global network of connections with more than 60,000 alumni. They enjoy impactful learning experiences, enriched by our deliberate cultural diversity community, and driven by the common goal of our students to ‘be a force’ for ‘a more peaceful and sustainable future’ now and for generations to come.
