Bromsgrove International School Thailand (BIST)

INTRODUCTION

Bromsgrove International School Thailand (BIST) is the only School outside the UK to carry the Bromsgrove name. Bromsgrove School UK has received the most Good Schools Guide awards for any co-educational independent school in England and shares top position with Eton, Wycombe Abbey and North London Collegiate, all of which are single sex.

BIST is a British curriculum day and boarding school in eastern Bangkok. The school is located within the grounds of a 36-hole golf course within convert|15|km|mi|0 from Bangkok International Airport and convert|30|km|mi|0 from central Bangkok. It is geared towards becoming a premier British Boarding Schools in Southeast Asia providing an excellent alternative for students in Southeast Asia to study in a UK Boarding School closer to home - in Bangkok, Thailand.

The school has two campuses which cater for students from Early Years to Year 13 (3-18 years old) including IGCSE and in 2008, A levels. In partnership with Bromsgrove School in England, it offers teaching, facilities and resources of equally high standards so as to provide education of the same outstanding quality, ensuring in time that pupils will be fully equipped to complete their education at leading universities around the world.

BIST is also the home for junior golf in Thailand. Its location in a 36-hole golf course allows it to include golf in its curriculum. All students from 7 years old learn golf. Facilities within the school grounds include a driving range, putting green and an indoor golf room for swing analysis. Many of the school's junior golfers excel in junior world championships and tournaments around the region. A recent win for one of the junior golfers include a gold medal in the recent Southeast Asian games in December 2007.

The affiliation with Bromsgrove School, its excellent location in a golf club and its proximity to the airport, first class academic, sporting and boarding facilities and the inclusion of golf in its curriculum make Bromsgrove International School a unique educational journey for students aiming to have an excellent future in this increasingly competitive environment.

HISTORY

Windsor International School

From the vision of the school founders Riza Sripetchvandee and Ian Davison, a new school was developed operating under the name of Windsor International School. The School was constructed at Soi 164 Ramkhamheang Road, Minburi, in Eastern Bangkok. Following the UK national Curriculum and designed for early years and primary aged children, the School opened it’s doors in September 2002. The pioneering band of teaching staff were recruited from England and lead by the Headmaster Mr. Stephen Robinson. The School’s philosophy was that the children come first, and a strong feeling of “family” soon developed. Over the course of the next two years pupil numbers grew steadily. A new building was opened in September 2004 to meet the demand from early years students.

Bromsgrove International School Thailand

In April 2004, the School became affiliated to the Bromsgrove School UK and changed its name to Bromsgrove International School Thailand. Bromsgrove School UK was founded over 450 years ago and is a leading co-educational independent day and boarding school for some 1,450 pupils and is situated in the English Midlands and provides a first-class education with excellent facilities and resources, as well as enjoying considerable distinction in Sport, Music and the Arts.

The change of name reflected the enhanced vision of the School management for the School to position itself in the top ten international schools in Thailand, to become the British School of Eastern Bangkok and be worthy of carrying the name Bromsgrove. Plans were laid to expand the shareholder base and have sufficient financial resources to acquire land and build a world class Preparatory and Senior School for students aged 7 to 18. An ideal plot of land was purchased, set in the serenity of Windsor Park and Golf Club, 20 minutes from the Ramkhamhaeng Road Campus. The huge undertaking of building the new campus was started in late 2004 and completed only a few days before the new school year started in September 2005. The Sports Hall was completed in late 2005 and the builders finally left the site at the end of the year.

A new Headmaster, Mr. Jeffery Topp had been appointed in August 2005 to take the School forward in the next phase of it’s development. Mr. Topp came to Bromsgrove with extensive senior management experience from England and Thailand in both day and boarding schools.

The Ramkhamheang Road Campus was converted to an Early Years campus for children aged 2 to 6. Miss Candice Hambridge was appointed as Head of Early Years in April 2006. The school is well positioned in a growing residential part of the city and has set a target for itself of becoming the school of choice for parents looking to start their children in a British style education.

Temporary boarding facilities were opened in January 2006 and the School suddenly became a 24-hour operation with truly international appeal. New boarding students from Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Australia broadened and added to the diversity of the student body. Other memorable events in the first year were the summer school at Bromsgrove UK, the opening of an intensive English learning centre and the certification as an examination centre by the University of Cambridge.

In March 2008, a new purpose-built boarding house was opened by Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, Old Bromsgrovian, for another 100 boarders.

In May 2008, Bromsgrove entered into an affiliation with Daewon Foreign Language High School of Seoul Korea to launch a Korean programme at the school. Daewon is a highly selective school in Korea ranked by Wall Street Journal as one of the top schools in the world with a high success rate for entry to Ivy League Universities. The affiliation allows Bromsgrove to offer educational excellence from the best of the West and the East.

Mission Statement

"To identify and develop the potential of individual students, provide them with the best achievable qualifications and prepare them for life"

To achieve this, the school aims to:

provide a welcoming, friendly and supportive ethos which recognises the worth of each individual within the collective family atmosphere of the School.

ensure a dynamic English-speaking community, innovative and forward-looking in its attitude yet rooted in the best of traditional values.

establish a fulfilling work environment for its staff, both teaching and non-teaching, and encourage their development.

liaise closely with the parents of its pupils and encourage them to share in the life of the School.

Core Values

Academic Rigour

Identifying and developing the potential of every individual pupil, providing them with the best achievable qualifications and preparing them for life.

Discipline

Supporting and encouraging pupils to be well-disciplined and acquire sound study habits.

Respect

Promoting and encouraging mutual respect, tolerance, understanding and support, amongst all its members

Flair

Providing a wide range of extracurricular opportunities to encourage students to discover and develop their talents, so they may fulfil their true potential.