Glenalmond Phuket International School vs Ruamrudee International School Phuket
Glenalmond Phuket International School and Ruamrudee International School Phuket are both in Phuket, about 23 km apart. Both schools offer EYFS programmes. Glenalmond Phuket International School also offers BTEC Qualification, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, and Ruamrudee International School Phuket also offers American. Published annual fees are close, at THB 270,000 - 950,000 for Glenalmond Phuket International School and THB 525,500 - 803,500 for Ruamrudee International School Phuket. Glenalmond Phuket International School takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and Ruamrudee International School Phuket from 2 to 14.
BTEC Qualification, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Curriculum
American Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
1,200
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
2026
Opened
2022
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
Ruamrudee International School Phuket sits in the Chalong area on Phuket’s southeast coast, an area known for residential neighbourhoods, marinas, and easy access to beaches. The school describes itself as a “seaside campus,” and photos and descriptions emphasise outdoor learning spaces influenced by the coastal environment. Transport information is not listed on the website, but Chalong is accessible by major island roads, with travel routes connecting to Phuket Town and the Rawai–Kata area.
Stages
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.
Stages
RIS Phuket offers education from Early Years through Middle School. Published information shows the campus currently serves Pre-K2 to Grade 8, which generally includes children ages about 3 to 14. The school structures learning into Early Years, Elementary, and Middle School sections, with curriculum and specialist subjects increasing in complexity as students move into the upper grades.
School type
School type
The institution is a co-educational, mainstream independent school.
School type
The school operates as a co-educational day school, welcoming both boys and girls. There is no indication of any boarding arrangements, temporary lodging, or residential programmes on the Phuket campus. All references to learning and activities describe a day-school environment, with students returning home at the end of the school day.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
RIS Phuket does not publicly disclose information about learning support services such as Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, dedicated support teachers, or intervention programmes. There is no mention of learning support departments, assessment pathways, or accommodations on the school website. Based on available information, it is unclear what type of additional learning support—if any—is offered.
Country 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.
Country affiliation
The school does not state an affiliation with any specific country. It follows an international curriculum framework (American-aligned), but this does not constitute a national affiliation.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school does not indicate a specific religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
RIS Phuket does not indicate any religious affiliation on its website. No references are made to religious instruction, chapels, religious observances, or faith-based governance.
School day structure
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.
School day structure
RIS Phuket does not publicly provide detailed information about daily schedules such as start and end times, break periods, or lunch arrangements. This information is not published on its website or accessible through linked pages.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school does not currently publish information regarding the provision of a school bus or coach service.
Bus service details
The school website does not provide any information confirming the availability of a school bus or transport service. Some third-party directories list transport as available, but the school itself does not publish transport details, so this cannot be confirmed. As of the publicly accessible website content, no transport service description, provider information, routes, or sign-up procedures are mentioned.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
Fee details
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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
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.
Curriculum details
RIS Phuket follows a modified American curriculum based on AERO academic standards from Early Years through Middle School. The Early Years programme incorporates elements of the Creative Curriculum and uses a play-based, exploratory approach suited to young learners. As students progress into Elementary and Middle School, the curriculum expands to include English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and specialist subjects such as art, music, and physical education. Instruction is delivered in English, with Thai and Mandarin typically included as additional language options. The school does not yet publish information about external qualifications for upper secondary levels, as the Phuket campus currently operates only up to Grade 8. As it stands, students follow a continuous American-style international programme that builds skills progressively across the early and middle years.
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.
Admissions
1. School Visit / Tour Before submitting an application, the school recommends (but does not strictly require) that families visit the campus. This helps parents and children get to know the school, see the facilities, and understand its philosophy.
2. Application Submission Families complete an online application form provided by RIS Phuket. Along with the application, relevant documentation must be submitted (passport or visa status for non-Thais; birth certificate/household registration for Thai nationals, etc., depending on the applicant’s status). At the time of application, a non-refundable application fee of THB 5,000 is required.
3. Screening / Developmental Observation / Admissions Testing Once application and documentation are submitted, prospective students undergo a screening or developmental observation session by RIS Phuket administrators. For younger children (e.g. Early Years), this may focus on developmental readiness; older children may have academic assessments depending on grade level.
4. Offer & Enrollment Confirmation If the student passes the screening, the school offers a place. Parents then confirm enrollment (typically by paying tuition and/or deposits, though RIS Phuket does not publicly publish full fee structure or payment schedule for confirmed students).
5. Begin Schooling Once enrolled, the student starts at RIS Phuket in the appropriate level (Early Years, Primary or Middle School) according to age and readiness.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding the offering of scholarships.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding a waitlist or pool system.
