The founding Headmaster of Brighton College Bangkok, which will open in September, has just arrived in the city from the United Arab Emirates. With several educational leadership postings around the world under his belt, he brings with him a wealth of experience and an impressive track record of success. Just the perfect person, then, for establishing what looks set to be one of the finest international schools in Bangkok
 | What attracted you and your family to Bangkok and a leadership position with the newest international school in the city? As a family we have lived across three continents and travelled widely. My wife, Victoria, and our two young children are looking forward to making new friends and experiencing all that Bangkok’s rich and vibrant culture has to offer. Having grappled with an Antarctic winter in the Falkland Islands, and the 50-degree heat of a desert summer in the Middle East, we are really enjoying the tropical climate of Thailand! |
| Prior to moving to Bangkok, I served as Headmaster of Brighton College Al Ain for a number of years, so you could say that I have Brighton College’s DNA running through me! Having been at that College since the pre-opening phase I was tremendously excited about the prospect of leading another Brighton College start-up. From seeing the College grow from architect’s plans into an iconic, purpose-built campus, to welcoming our first pupils through the door in September, setting up a school is an incredibly rewarding experience. It is wonderful to be part of Brighton College’s expansion into Asia, particularly Bangkok, a city very well-suited to Brighton’s focus on excellence, its exceptional teaching and its unique approach to British independent education. In your opinion what are some of the challenges in international education today? |   |
With the conflicting demands and pressures today’s children face, it is fundamental that they are given an opportunity to enjoy their childhood. At Brighton College we focus on creativity and inspiration to allow our pupils to develop a love of learning for its own sake. Through getting to know all of our pupils as unique individuals, rather than looking to create stereotypes, we help each and every child to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be.
Another challenge is that we don’t know what the global economy of the future will be demanding of graduates. To ensure that our pupils are best prepared for entrance into the world’s leading universities and the most challenging professions we ensure that they all secure mastery of a wide range of skills that fully equip them for life beyond the classroom. This is one of the reasons why we teach Mandarin from our Pre-Prep School.
We want our pupils to be literate and numerate, as would be expected, but also to be articulate, to construct an argument and to debate; to lead, innovate and be entrepreneurs; to be creative and technologically literate and to have the confidence to inspire an audience.
What initially attracted Brighton College in the UK to look at Bangkok for their third international school?
The Headmaster of Brighton College in the UK, Richard Cairns, was instrumental in looking at Thailand, and Brighton College Bangkok will be the first member of our family of schools to be located in Southeast Asia. The first two successful overseas openings were in the United Arab Emirates. Bangkok was identified as a city with a large demand for international education from both expatriate and Thai families, looking to benefit from our status as the UK’s leading co-educational school.
Another challenge is that we don’t know what the global economy of the future will be demanding of graduates. To ensure that our pupils are best prepared for entrance into the world’s leading universities and the most challenging professions we ensure that they all secure mastery of a wide range of skills that fully equip them for life beyond the classroom. This is one of the reasons why we teach Mandarin from our Pre-Prep School.
We want our pupils to be literate and numerate, as would be expected, but also to be articulate, to construct an argument and to debate; to lead, innovate and be entrepreneurs; to be creative and technologically literate and to have the confidence to inspire an audience.
What initially attracted Brighton College in the UK to look at Bangkok for their third international school?
The Headmaster of Brighton College in the UK, Richard Cairns, was instrumental in looking at Thailand, and Brighton College Bangkok will be the first member of our family of schools to be located in Southeast Asia. The first two successful overseas openings were in the United Arab Emirates. Bangkok was identified as a city with a large demand for international education from both expatriate and Thai families, looking to benefit from our status as the UK’s leading co-educational school.
As a brand new school, what can Brighton College Bangkok offer to prospective families in Bangkok?
As a father of school-aged children myself, I am acutely aware of what parents are looking for when choosing the right school for their child. Children at Brighton College Bangkok will be given the opportunity to be taught by inspiring teachers in a nurturing environment where every child is cared for and valued. This in turn allows pupils to achieve the highest standards of academic achievement. Our small class sizes and low pupil/teacher ratio means that we can truly offer child-centred teaching and learning. Our curriculum is tailored to go well beyond the confines of the English National Curriculum, and offers abundant opportunities for children to develop their thinking and skills in ways which are unique to them, whether that be through the academic curriculum or our extensive extra-curricular activities programme.
Brighton College Bangkok pupils will develop into considerate and empathetic individuals as we will place much value on the qualities of honesty, determination, respect and kindness.
We want to ensure that children not only achieve academically but are thoughtful, caring citizens who have the utmost respect for their peers, themselves and the world around them.
How has the Brighton College family of schools become so successful both in the UK and overseas?
I believe there are a number of reasons for our success. Brighton College has over 170 years of tradition and history but it is not weighed down by this. It is constantly looking to evolve and improve and it feels fresh not stuffy. Whilst proud of its heritage it is also ambitious, aspirational and forward thinking. The quality of Brighton College teachers ensures that excellence is the norm, and combining this high expectation with traditional academic rigour, innovative approaches to learning, and a broad and balanced curriculum results in the highest academic standards. The Brighton College pursuit of academic excellence is known across the world and will be no different in Bangkok.
Brighton College Bangkok in focus
Brighton College Bangkok will open its Pre-Prep School for pupils aged from two to nine in September 2016, located in the Srinakarin-Rama 9 area of Bangkok. The Prep and Senior Schools, for pupils aged between nine and 18 years old, will open the following year in September 2017.
For more information please visit www.brightoncollegebangkok.com. To make an appointment to visit the pre-opening team, Head of Admissions, Kim MeadenKendrick, can be contacted on +66 (0) 2-136-7898 or by email at [email protected].
Brighton College Bangkok will open its Pre-Prep School for pupils aged from two to nine in September 2016, located in the Srinakarin-Rama 9 area of Bangkok. The Prep and Senior Schools, for pupils aged between nine and 18 years old, will open the following year in September 2017.
For more information please visit www.brightoncollegebangkok.com. To make an appointment to visit the pre-opening team, Head of Admissions, Kim MeadenKendrick, can be contacted on +66 (0) 2-136-7898 or by email at [email protected].
SPECIAL EVENT!
May 15 at the British Club Bangkok
(Click image for details)
