BCIS International School Phuket vs Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus
BCIS International School Phuket and Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus are both in Phuket, about 16 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge (Secondary) programmes, and BCIS International School Phuket also offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS and French. Published annual fees are THB 281,800 - 468,900 at BCIS International School Phuket and THB 347,000 - 491,000 at Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus, which puts Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus roughly 12% higher. BCIS International School Phuket takes pupils from 1 to 18, and Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus from 2 to 14. The two are similar in size, at around 400 and 400 pupils. Typical class sizes are 20 at BCIS International School Phuket and 22 at Headstart International School Cherngtalay Campus.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), French Curriculum
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary)
Pupils
Pupils
400
Pupils
400
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, French
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
2023
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
BCIS Phuket is located in Chalong, in the southern part of Phuket Island, Thailand. The campus sits between the popular residential areas of Rawai, Nai Harn, and Kathu, and is approximately 15–30 minutes from major shopping centres like Central Festival and local beaches. It is easily accessible by main roads such as Chaofa West Road and is situated near essential amenities including hospitals and supermarkets.
Location
HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus is situated at 9/2 Srisoonthorn Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand. It lies in a family-friendly suburb near Laguna, Boat Avenue, and Pasak, with local shops, cafés, and clinics within easy reach. The school is accessible via quality roads.
Stages
Stages
BCIS Phuket is divided into Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form sections. The school admits children from 18 months old in its Early Years Centre and continues through Year 13 or Terminale, depending on the curriculum stream. Both British and French academic pathways are available throughout these levels.
Stages
The school offers education from Foundation (age 2) through to Year 9 (age 14). It includes Early Years (Foundation), Primary School (Years 1–6), and Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3, Years 7–9)—all in preparation for students to transition to the Chaofah City Campus from Year 10 onwards.
School type
School type
BCIS Phuket is a co-educational day school offering both British and French curriculum streams for students aged 18 months to 18 years.
School type
This is a co‑educational day school. There are no boarding facilities available at this campus.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
BCIS Phuket provides additional learning support for students with mild to moderate learning, emotional, behavioural, and communication needs. Support is delivered through in-class assistance and small group interventions, overseen by a dedicated Student Support Team. Individual learning plans are developed and regularly reviewed to target areas such as literacy, social communication, and emotional regulation. The team includes a SEN Coordinator and Student Learning Coach who work closely with teachers and families to ensure each student’s needs are met effectively.
Additional learning support
While specific facilities for Cherngtalay are not detailed online, HeadStart campuses provide Learning Support for Additional Educational Needs (AEN), including small‑group tuition, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and collaboration with external specialists when needed.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
BCIS Phuket is not affiliated with a specific national government but offers both the British (Cambridge) and French national curricula.
Country affiliation
The school is not affiliated with any country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
BCIS Phuket is not affiliated with any religion. It welcomes students and families of all cultural and religious backgrounds.
Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliations.
School day structure
School day structure
At BCIS Phuket, the school day typically begins at 8:00 am and runs through to 3:00 pm for most academic lessons, Monday to Friday. The day is structured around seven teaching periods, with a short morning break and a lunch break. After 3:00 pm, students can take part in a range of extracurricular clubs and activities, which may extend the school day until 5:00 pm. This structure applies across both the British and French curriculum streams.
School day structure
The school operates Monday to Friday, starting with homeroom from 8:00 to 8:20 am. Students attend six academic lessons, with a morning break at 10:15 and a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:25 pm. The final lesson ends at 3:20 pm, followed by a short break. Optional Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) run from 3:30 to 4:20 pm, and Academy programmes are available from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
BCIS Phuket offers a scheduled school bus service for students from Year 1 to Year 13. Pick‑up times run between 6:30 am and 7:00 am, with afternoon departures from 3:30 pm to 3:45 pm. Students travel in minibuses equipped with seatbelts and supervised by attendants. The bus routes cover areas including Rawai/Chalong, Phuket Town, Cape Panwa, Cherngtalay, Patong, Kamala, Kata, and Karon. Services during school camps are charged weekly with flat-rate fees.
Bus service details
HeadStart Cherngtalay offers a school transport service for students living in the surrounding areas. The service includes air-conditioned vans with seatbelts and designated drop-off and pick-up points. Transport staff are trained to ensure safety and punctuality. Parents coordinate directly with the school’s transport coordinator for routes, availability, and fees.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees A one-time entrance fee of THB 75,000 is required for all new students. This includes a non-refundable registration fee of THB 10,000 and a refundable deposit of THB 50,000, returned upon withdrawal with one term’s notice. Continuing students are charged an annual re-registration fee of THB 5,000.
Tuition Fees (Per Year)
British Curriculum Stream Nursery – Reception: THB 281,800 Year 1 – Year 2: THB 337,600 Year 3 – Year 6: THB 380,500 Year 7 – Year 9: THB 460,200 Year 10 – Year 13 (IGCSE & A Levels): THB 468,900
Fees are billed by term as follows: Term 1: 40% Term 2: 30% Term 3: 30%
Additional Fees Uniforms, textbooks, Cambridge and exam fees, specialist academies, extracurricular activities, and after-school clubs are charged separately. Lunch, library access, and accident insurance (up to THB 30,000) are included in the tuition fees.
Transportation Fees Rawai/Chalong route: THB 1,350/week Phuket Town, Cape Panwa, Cherngtalay, Patong, Kamala, Kata, and Karon: THB 1,650/week All buses are equipped with seatbelts and are supervised by attendants. Transport fees are invoiced monthly.
Learning Support If additional educational support is required beyond the school’s provisions, families must privately arrange and fund a Student Learning Coach (SLC) to assist in class and during school activities.
Sibling Discount Second child: 5% tuition discount Third child and beyond: 10% tuition discount
Boarding Fees The school does not offer boarding facilities.
Refund Policy The refundable deposit is returned with a one-term notice of withdrawal. Other refund terms are not publicly specified.
Payment Options Payments can be made via bank transfer or credit card through the school’s finance office.
Fee details
Application and Enrolment Fees
* Application Fee: THB 5,000 per child (non-refundable) * Entrance Fee: THB 100,000 (one-time, non-refundable) * Endowment Fee: THB 75,000 (refundable upon permanent withdrawal, subject to conditions)
Tuition Fees by Year Group
* Preschool & Early Years–Reception (EY–REC) * Term 1: THB 139,000 * Term 2: THB 104,000 * Term 3: THB 104,000 * Annual Total: THB 347,000
* Years 1–6 * Term 1: THB 174,000 * Term 2: THB 130,000 * Term 3: THB 130,000 * Annual Total: THB 434,000
* Years 7–9 * Term 1: THB 197,000 * Term 2: THB 147,000 * Term 3: THB 147,000 * Annual Total: THB 491,000
Billing Schedule
* Billed termly by email, 3 times per year
Sibling Discounts
* 2nd child: 10% discount on tuition fees * 3rd+ child: 15% discount * Entrance and Endowment fees only apply to the first two children
* Endowment Fee: Refunded with 30-day written notice before end of Term 3 and no outstanding balance * Term Fees: * Term 1: 90 days' notice * Terms 2 & 3: 45 days' notice * Refunds processed \~2 weeks after last day of school year
Included in Fees
* Meals and snacks (Foundation & Primary) * ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities) * Accident insurance * School trips * Duke of Edinburgh Award (registration billed separately)
Additional Charges
* Uniforms, bus service, academies, academic competitions, music lessons, lost library books, textbooks * EAL Support: THB 50,000/year (for students needing English language assistance) * AEN Support: THB 50,000/year (for students with additional educational needs)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
BCIS Phuket offers two curriculum streams from Early Years to the end of secondary: the British Cambridge Curriculum and the French National Curriculum. The British stream begins with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), followed by Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6), Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), IGCSE qualifications (Years 10–11), and concludes with AS and A Level examinations in Years 12–13. The French stream follows the official programme of the French Ministry of Education, beginning with Maternelle and École Élémentaire, continuing through Collège, and culminating in the Diplôme National du Brevet and Baccalauréat. Both curriculum pathways are delivered on a shared campus and include instruction in English, French, and Thai depending on the stream.
Curriculum details
HeadStart Cherngtalay follows the British Curriculum from Early Years through to Key Stage 3. The Foundation stage uses the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework, focusing on early literacy, numeracy, and personal development. Primary students (Years 1–6) follow Key Stages 1 and 2, which include English, maths, science, computing, PSHE, humanities, and the arts. In Years 7–9 (Key Stage 3), students follow a subject-based timetable with English, maths, science, geography, history, ICT, art, music, PE, and languages such as French, Mandarin, or Russian. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the transition to the Cambridge IGCSE pathway offered at the Chaofah City campus from Year 10 onward. Instruction is primarily in English, with tailored support provided for English language learners.
1. Book a school visit or personalised campus tour. Families are encouraged to arrange an in-person tour to explore the facilities, meet the admissions team, and ask questions about the curriculum and student life. This visit can help clarify whether the school is the right fit for your child’s needs.
2. Submit the application form and supporting documents. Parents must complete the official BCIS application form and submit required documents, which include the child’s passport, visa (if applicable), recent school reports, and photographs. All documents should be emailed to the admissions office for review.
3. Schedule an interview and academic assessment. The school will invite your child for an interview and, for Year 1 and above, an academic screening to assess subject proficiency and English language needs. These assessments help determine grade placement and whether EAL support is required.
4. Receive an offer and confirm enrolment. If the application is successful, the school will issue a formal offer letter. Parents must accept the offer in writing and proceed with the enrolment confirmation.
5. Pay registration fees and prepare for school start. To secure the place, families are required to pay registration and relevant tuition fees. Prior to the start of term, arrangements such as uniforms, access cards, and learning materials will be finalised with the school team.
Admissions
1. Book a campus tour or open day visit. Parents are encouraged to visit the school to gain insight into the learning environment, facilities, and curriculum. Tours are arranged by appointment and may include meetings with school leaders or admissions staff.
2. Fill out the Application Form. A parent or carer completes the school’s application form, which is available online. This form collects essential details about the student, academic history, and any additional needs.
3. Entrance Examination (Years 3–13). Students applying for Years 3 to 13 must sit an entrance exam to assess academic suitability. A non-refundable fee of 3,000 THB applies for each student being assessed.
4. Interview with Head of Primary or Secondary. Following the exam, the student and family attend an interview with the relevant Head of School. This helps determine readiness, support needs, and student-school fit.
5. Complete the Home and School Partnership Agreement. If a place is offered, parents/guardians sign a formal agreement confirming their understanding of the school’s expectations, values, and policies (e.g. code of conduct, dress code).
6. Submit Required Documents. The registrar will request key documentation, including ID, school reports, health records, and any relevant learning support assessments.
7. Receive Invoice and Pay Fees. The accounting department issues an invoice by email. Once fees are paid, the student’s enrolment is confirmed.
Scholarships
Scholarships
BCIS Phuket offers academic scholarships to students entering Years 7 to 13 who demonstrate strong academic performance. For IGCSE candidates (Years 10–11), applicants must show evidence of achieving or targeting at least seven A or A* grades and maintain a GPA of 3.7 or higher. For A Level students (Years 12–13), continued academic excellence and strong AS Level outcomes are required. Scholarship applications must include school reports, attendance records (minimum 90%), teacher references, and may also include a portfolio or additional supporting documents.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
BCIS Phuket does not operate a formal waitlist or pooled admissions system.
Waitlist
There is no information available about the waitlist process on the school's website.
