Rugby School Thailand (Thai: โรงเรียนนานาชาติรักบี้, RTGS: Rong Rian Nana Chat Rakbi) (RST) is a private co-educational British international school in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, Thailand. It is a day and boarding school similar to its sister school, Rugby School in the UK, which was founded in 1567. The School's 80-acre campus (190 rai) is approximately 110 km (68 mi) from Bangkok and 20 km (12 mi) from Pattaya. Rugby School Thailand takes students aged 2-18 and offers Britain's national curriculum to both Thai and international families.[1]
| Rugby School Thailand โรงเรียนนานาชาติรักบี้ | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
, 20150 Thailand | |
| Coordinates | 12°56′46″N 101°01′16″E / 12.9462°N 101.0211°E |
| Information | |
| School type | British Private School International School Boarding School |
| Motto | Orando Laborando (I prayed, I worked / Through prayer I work) |
| Established | 2017 |
| Sister school | Rugby School UK |
| Principal | Bruce Grindlay |
| Head of Senior | Rob Groves |
| Years offered | Pre-nursery (2 yr) to Year 13 (18 yr) |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age range | 2 - 18 |
| Enrollment | 1150 (2024) |
| International students | 39 nationalities |
| Student to teacher ratio | 9:1 |
| Education system | Britain's National Curriculum |
| Language | English |
| Campus size | 80-acres |
| Campus type | Rural |
| Houses |
|
| Slogan | The Whole Person, The Whole Point |
| Nickname | RST |
| Accreditation |
|
| Website | www |
History
editIn 2015, Nigel Westlake, former headmaster of Packwood Haugh School and Brambletye School, joined with Wisdom Enterprise (owned by the Teepsuwan family) to set up a new international school in Thailand.[2] With over 30 years experience in the UK independent sector, and 15 of those as head, Mr. Westlake served as the founding headmaster of the new project.
After presenting their plans and receiving positive feedback from 14 schools in the UK, the founders chose to partner with Rugby School [3]
The 80-acre campus opened in September 2017 for students in Pre-Nursery (age 2) up to Year 6 (age 10/11). Years 7-13 opened in September 2018, along with the boarding houses, which now takes students from Year 6 (age 10) up.[1]
In September 2021, Rugby School Thailand opened the first 'school sandbox' in Thailand after working with the ISAT to gain approval from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health. This was one of the first reopenings of a school (out of 258 international schools in Thailand) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed students to return to school via a boarding program by taking regular antigen tests and the implementation of rigorous safety measures within the school grounds.[4]
Curriculum
editRugby School Thailand offers the UK National Curriculum, supplemented by selected components of the British Private School Curriculum.[5]
It offers education for key stages 0–5 (ages 12–18) and also offers the internationally recognised qualifications IGCSEs and A-Levels. The school can accommodate roughly 1,350 students.[6]
Boarding
editBoarding at Rugby School Thailand began in September 2018 and is available to children from years 6–13.
Currently, there are three different boarding options:[7]
- Part boarding - Students aged 10-13 years old may board for up to three fixed nights per week.
- Weekly boarding - Weekly boarders stay at school all week during term-time (except half-term), and head home on Friday or Saturday afternoon for the weekends.
- Full boarding - Full boarders stay at school all week during term and enjoy the full weekend programme. They will be able to go home at leave weekends or over half-term.
Fees
editTuition fees range from 525,000 to 946,000 baht per year. Annual Boarding fees are 258,600 baht for Part Boarding, 378,900 baht for Weekly Boarding and 447,900 baht for Full Boarding.[8]
Campus
editAt the 80-acre campus, facilities include:
- Purpose-built, age-specific classroom blocks
- A Performing Arts Centre auditorium, with a recording studio
- Art studios
- A dedicated Science Centre with science auditorium
- Design and technology studios
- Theatres, including, a Black Box theatre
- A Sixth Form Centre
- Boarding houses
- Libraries
- Two dining halls
- A professional standard fitness suite
- Four swimming pools (a splash pool, two 25 meter pool, and a 50 meter pool)
- Football and rugby pitches
- Basketball courts
- Four Tennis courts
- Two indoor sport centres
- 300 meter lake for kayaking and sailing
- Bike and running tracks
- A soft play area
- Playgrounds
- A disc golf course
- An Outdoor Education Centre with ziplines and high ropes
References
edit- ^ a b "Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior", Rugby School Thailand
- ^ "Wisdom Enterprise collaborates with Rugby School", Bangkok Post'
- ^ "Rugby School Thailand: The Whole Person is The Whole Point", The BigChilli
- ^ "Rugby School Thailand gains approval from Ministries of Education and Public Health to open first 'school sandbox' in Thailand". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
- ^ "Academic Ambition", Rugby School Thailand
- ^ "British traditions transplanted in Chon Buri". Bangkok Post. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ "Pastoral Care, Boarding", Rugby School Thailand
- ^ "School Fees". Rugby School Thailand. Retrieved 7 May 2021.