The Regent's International School Bangkok
The Regent's School is a coeducational boarding school. It has campuses in Pattaya and Bangkok in Thailand.
History
The Regent's School was founded in Pattaya in 1995 by Dr. Virachaj Techavichit and started as an insignificant small Primary School serving the families of expatriates who worked at the nearby industrial port. The school's first headmaster was Richard Poulton who had previously been Head at Christ's Hospital School in the United Kingdom. He was succeeded by Simon Leslie, former Head of Geelong Grammar School, in Victoria, Australia. The current head is Mike Bolton, former Headmaster of Roedean School in the United Kingom.
The head of discipline is Francis Karolan, a refugee from former Kosovo Republic.
The School now has a second campus in Bangkok and an Outdoor Education Centre on Thailand's second largest island, Ko Chang, near the Thai border with Cambodia. Another campus in Bangkok is currently still under construction since the school has recently experienced a financial crisis.
Accreditation
Regent’s School-Pattaya is accredited by WES in the UK (Ofsted Inspectors), also a member of Council of International Schools (CIS) and recognised by the British Embassy for diplomats' children.
The Regent's School has also been recognised for its advanced security system including a dense net of camera system and non-stop guard supervision for boarders.
Demographics
There are nearly 900 students of over 37 nationalities at Pattaya Campus and 76% of the student body are international.
The school has been criticised for increasing number of Thai students, which may in future result in losing the status of being 'international'.
Another issue has been raised about the priveleged status of the Bhutanese students at Pattaya campus. Though the attainement of Bhutanese students is below average, they tend to get more priveleges due to Dr. Virachaj's close relations with the Bhutanese Royal Family.
Memberships
The School is a member of Federation of British International Schools in South and Southeast Asia (FOBISSEA) which provides opportunities for international sports and exchanges.
As the only school in Thailand, it is a member of a prestigious Round Square organisation aiming to provide holistic education and outdoor adventures. It has been a member of the Round Square organisation since 1999. The Round Square coordinatior at the Regent's Pattaya Campus is Ms. Paula Crutch.
Scholarships
- Global Connect Scholarships (for Eastern European students and Armenia)up to 90%, but usually 30%
- Diplomatic and Ministerial Connect Scholarships
- Music scholarships
- Academic Excellence Scholarships: each IGCSE examination grade "A" - 5%
Curriculum
The Regent's study programme is based on the English National Curriculum, leading to International General Certificate of Secondary Education, then the International Baccalaureate or A-levels. The Regent's is an official test centre for CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) and for Edexcel. SAT examinations are not provided.
Tuition fee
- GBP 6,300 for day fee;
- GBP 11,000 for full boarding per year including close supervision
- GBP 5 for leaving the aircconditioning "on" in the boarding house
Future Perspectives
In his last speech in front of the school Dr. Virachaj Techavijit announced about plans of making the Regent's School the best IB school in Thailand in the next 5 years; then to make it the best IB school in the world during the next 15 years. His final goal was announced to be the final takeover of all the schools in the world and establishing brutalistic boarding houses with strict school conduct.
Notable Alumni
Gabby - a Global Connect Student from Bulgaria attained 42 points from IB course, and, as Dr. Virachaj Techavichit said: "Entered the top 10 terrific 42 club of top 10 terrific universities."
OxBridge Applicants: 2006: Maria Chernayeva (from Bulgaria) Result: REJECTED 2007: Piia Poldsaar (from Estonia), Joyce Lin (from China) Result: REJECTED
MIT Applicants: 2007: Girish Balakrishnan (from India) Result: REJECTED 2007: Manee (from India) Result: REJECTED
Though non of the Regent's School students got accepted to OxBridge Universities or to MIT, lots of them tried. At least they tried. "Not good enough, guys!" Mr. Masters would say.
Appearances in Media
Movies: Texas Chainsaw Massacre *[1] Hostel (about Global Connect Students from Slovakia) *[2]
References