British International School Phuket vs Glenalmond Phuket International School
British International School Phuket and Glenalmond Phuket International School are both in Phuket, about 11 km apart. Both schools offer BTEC Qualification programmes. British International School Phuket also offers IB, British and Cambridge IGCSE, and Glenalmond Phuket International School also offers Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are THB 470,200 - 935,900 at British International School Phuket and THB 270,000 - 950,000 at Glenalmond Phuket International School, which puts British International School Phuket roughly 15% higher. British International School Phuket takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Glenalmond Phuket International School from 1.5 to 18.
IB (DP), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
BTEC Qualification, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
1,140
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
10
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1996
Opened
2026
Bus service
Bus service
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Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
British International School Phuket (BISP) is located in the Koh Kaew area in the northeast of Phuket Island, Thailand. The campus is set on 44 acres of secure, landscaped grounds, offering a quiet and spacious learning environment away from the island’s busier tourist zones. The school is approximately 35–40 minutes from Phuket International Airport and easily accessible via the main road, which connects to central Phuket Town and surrounding residential areas. This makes it convenient for both local and expatriate families commuting daily, as well as for boarders arriving from abroad.
Location
Glenalmond Phuket International School is located in the Thalang district of Phuket, specifically within the Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort on Thepkasattri Road. This northern location provides a setting away from the heavily populated southern tourist areas. Being situated directly inside the resort grants students immediate access to the site's sports and wellness facilities.
Stages
Stages
BISP provides a continuous educational pathway for children aged 2 to 18 years old, divided into clearly structured stages. The Early Years section (Nursery and Reception) focuses on play-based learning for ages 2–5. This leads into the Primary School (Years 1–6), where students follow the National Curriculum of England. The Secondary School comprises Years 7–13 and is further divided into Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), IGCSE (Years 10–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13), which offers the IB Diploma Programme and BTEC in Sport. Boarding is available from Year 4 onwards.
Stages
The school accepts students from 1.5 to 18 years of age. The initial opening phase focuses on Early Years (EYFS) and Primary school students. Provisions are in place to expand into Key Stage 3 and the full Secondary and Sixth Form levels sequentially.
School type
School type
British International School Phuket is a co-educational day and boarding school, with boarding available for weekly or full boarding for students in Years 4–13. Approximately 120 students currently board on campus.
School type
The institution is a co-educational, mainstream independent school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
BISP offers a dedicated Learning Support Department that works closely with students, families, and teachers to ensure inclusive access to the curriculum. The support is available for students from Primary through Sixth Form and includes tailored interventions, in-class support, and accommodations for specific learning differences. The school also coordinates with external professionals to provide occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and educational psychology assessments when needed. Individual learning plans and exam accommodations are designed based on the student’s needs, and the Learning Support team aims to promote independence and confidence in each learner.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school follows the English National Curriculum and is governed by international accreditations, but it has no direct national affiliation.
Country affiliation
The school has a direct affiliation with the United Kingdom. It delivers the National Curriculum for England and operates in formal partnership with Glenalmond College and Craigclowan School & Nursery, both located in Scotland.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
BISP has no religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school does not indicate a specific religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day begins around 8 am and ends between 3 pm–4 pm, varying slightly by age group. It includes morning lessons, a mid-day lunch break, and afternoon sessions, with extra and co curricular activities after the last period.
School day structure
Specific details regarding the school day structure, including exact start and end times or specific lunch break periods, are not currently published.
Bus service details
Bus service details
There is limited information available on the bus service.
Bus service details
The school does not currently publish information regarding the provision of a school bus or coach service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Enrolment Fees
* Application Fee: THB 6,000 (non-refundable, one-time) * Placement Fee: THB 200,000 (per family with one student) or THB 250,000 (for families with more than one student) * Refundable Bond: THB 150,000 per student, refundable upon withdrawal with a full term’s notice.
All tuition, boarding, and transportation fees are based on a three-term academic year. Fees are invoiced termly and cover the full school year unless otherwise noted.
Annual Tuition Fees by Year Group
* Nursery & Reception: THB 470,200 * Year 1–3: THB 714,300 * Year 4: THB 719,900 * Year 5: THB 722,200 * Year 6: THB 731,100 * Year 7–8: THB 931,300 * Year 9–10: THB 935,900 * Year 11 & 13: THB 914,500 * Year 12: THB 935,900
Annual Boarding Fees (Available from Year 4)
Weekly Boarding: * Year 4–6: THB 377,500 * Year 7–10 & Year 12: THB 436,000 * Year 11 & 13: THB 436,000
Full Boarding: * Year 4–6: THB 451,000 * Year 7–10 & Year 12: THB 485,000 * Year 11 & 13: THB 485,000
Annual Transportation Fees (Optional)
* Year 3–10 & Year 12: THB 95,100 * Year 11 & 13: THB 95,100
Payment Terms & Methods * Term 1: Due 18 July 2025 * Term 2: Due 5 December 2025 * Term 3: Due 20 March 2026
* Payment options include: * Cash * Bank transfer * Cheque * Credit/Debit cards
Fee details
Application and Compulsory Fees
Application Fee: THB 5,000.
Placement Fee: THB 200,000. For second and subsequent children, this fee is reduced to THB 100,000.
Refundable Deposit: THB 150,000.
Annual Tuition Fees
Wee Bairns (up to 5 mornings only): THB 270,000.
Wee Bairns (up to 5 full days): THB 390,000.
Kindergarten 1 to 3: THB 490,000.
Year 1 to 6: THB 750,000.
Year 7 to 9: THB 950,000.
Discounts and Payment Terms
A 5% discount is provided for the payment of a full year in advance.
Sibling discounts include 5% for a second child and 15% for a third and any subsequent children.
The school's Admissions Policy governs all procedures regarding invoicing, payment methods, and refunds.
Other Costs and Information
A free uniform pack is provided for all enrolments. Additional uniform items can be purchased from the School Shop.
Additional fees are charged for transport, English Language Support (ELS), Special Educational Needs (SEN), external examinations, and specific external After School Activities.
Students in Year 3 and 4 are expected to bring their own tablet, while students in Year 5 and above must bring their own laptop.
Boarding fees and specific term-by-term fee breakdowns are not outlined in the current schedule.
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
British International School Phuket delivers the National Curriculum of England in Key Stages 1 to 3 (Years 1–9). In Years 10 and 11, students follow the IGCSE programme. For Years 12 and 13, students may pursue the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or select individual IBDP courses. Alternatively, students can opt for the BTEC International Extended Diploma in Sport. All graduates earn the BISP High School Diploma, which is accredited by CIS, NEASC, and the Thai Ministry of Education. BISP is also an exam centre for SAT, PSAT, LAMDA, ABRSM, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, and Cambridge Assessment, and includes a well-being curriculum as part of its academic offering.
Curriculum details
Glenalmond Phuket International School follows the National Curriculum for England across its different school stages. In the Early Years, students are taught according to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. For Primary and lower secondary levels (Years 1 to 9), the school integrates the core British curriculum with the Singapore Mathematics program. As students progress to Key Stage 4, they study towards Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE qualifications. In the Sixth Form, the school offers specialized pathways for students to complete either A Level or Pearson BTEC qualifications. Furthermore, Mandarin Chinese is incorporated as a compulsory language subject throughout the curriculum.
1. Schedule a visit or virtual meeting (optional but encouraged). Parents may book an on-campus tour or attend an interview via video conference. These meetings allow staff to better understand a student's academic profile, learning needs, and language proficiency.
2. Provide supporting documents and pay the application fee. Parents can then apply via the online application form. Supporting documents are required typically including a child’s passport, birth certificate, school reports, and any known learning or health-related information. The application fee must be paid before the admissions process begins, unless an exemption is granted.
3. Assessment and interviews. Depending on age and background, applicants may complete academic or cognitive screening, English proficiency testing, or learning support assessments. Parents and students may also speak with ELA or LS coordinators, the Thai Director, or Boarding staff if relevant.
4. Admissions review and decision. The Headmaster or relevant Principal reviews the complete profile and assessment outcomes. Applicants will be notified whether they receive a full offer, conditional offer, or are declined. Offers will include acceptance deadlines and payment instructions.
5. Finalise enrolment. Upon accepting the offer, families complete any required payments and receive placement guidance. The student is then enrolled into the school's systems, and staff are informed of any relevant needs or pathways (e.g., ELA, High Performance Sport).
Admissions
1. Initial Enquiry & School Tour: To begin the process, prospective families can speak directly with a member of the Admissions Team to ask questions and receive guidance on the available entry pathways. During this initial stage, parents are also encouraged to book an official school tour. This allows families to view the campus and familiarize themselves with the daily environment at the school.
2. Application Submission: Families must then complete the official application form, which can be acquired directly at the school's reception desk or accessed online. Parents are required to submit this completed form alongside the Admissions Checklist and all required supporting documents. These application materials can be handed in either physically in person or sent digitally via email.
3. Interview & Assessment: Parents will attend an interview with the Admissions Team alongside either the Head of Primary and Early Years or the Head of School. Students applying for Year 1 and above must complete diagnostic assessments in both English and Mathematics. Additionally, non-native English speakers will take an English assessment to check for English Language Support (ELS) requirements, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) evaluations may be conducted if applicable to ensure appropriate provisions are in place.
4. Offer & Confirmation: If a place is offered, the school will send an official email to confirm the student's enrolment. This confirmation email will contain a signed copy of the Confirmation of Admission and the Agreement of Enrolment Form. Parents will also find specific details in this communication regarding the student's official start date and the direct contact information for their designated Homeroom Teacher.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Academic Scholarships BISP offers academic scholarships to both internal and external Secondary School students. External candidates may apply for the Dr. Arthit World Academic Scholarship, which is awarded based on academic excellence, English proficiency, leadership, community engagement, and interview performance. Internal students are automatically considered for the IGCSE Riband Awards. The Orange Riband grants full tuition for one year (or 50% for two years) to the top IGCSE performer with at least 8 A*. The Blue Riband offers a 50% tuition reduction for one year to two students with 6 or more A* or A grades.
Sports Scholarships Sports scholarships are available to external applicants only for entry into BISP’s High Performance Academies in swimming, football, golf, tennis, and aerial arts. Awards are partial and may include boarding. Selection is based on competitive performance, trials, rankings, and coach references. Applicants must also meet academic and behavioural standards. Aerial Arts applicants submit performance videos, a personal statement, and a character reference.
Arts Scholarships BISP offers partial Visual Arts scholarships, which may include boarding, to students with strong artistic talent. Applicants should have an A*/A in IGCSE Art or equivalent, a portfolio of at least 10 pieces, and ideally a record of public exhibition. Recipients are expected to pursue IB Visual Arts and contribute to the school’s creative community.
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding the offering of scholarships.
Waitlist
Waitlist
If a qualified applicant cannot be offered a place due to limited availability, they may be placed on a waitlist. Priority is given based on factors such as having siblings at the school, diversity within the year group (gender, nationality, language), date of application, and ability to thrive in the BISP community.
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a waitlist or pool system.