NIST International School vs Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside

NIST International School is located on Sukhumvit Soi 15 in central Bangkok, within walking distance of the Asok BTS (Skytrain) and Sukhumvit MRT (subway) stations.

The area is part of the Wattana district, a residential and commercial zone popular with expatriate families. The school is easily accessible by public transportation or private vehicle.

NIST offers three main school divisions aligned with the International Baccalaureate: the Primary Years Programme (ages 3–11), Middle Years Programme (ages 11–16), and Diploma Programme (ages 16–18). The school enrolls students from early childhood through to the end of secondary school.

NIST is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational day school.

NIST provides inclusive learning support services for students with additional learning needs. The school offers support from trained specialists and personalized learning strategies, based on individual assessments and IB-aligned practices. Services are tailored in partnership with families and teachers.

NIST does not have an affiliation with any specific country.

The school is not affiliated with any religion and is a secular institution.

The school day typically starts around 7:30–8:00 a.m. and ends between 2:30–3:00 p.m., depending on the year level. Lunch and break times are scheduled by division and age group. Extracurricular activities may take place after regular hours.

NIST offers a private bus service through an external provider for students living across Bangkok. Routes and pickup locations are coordinated with families upon enrollment. The service is optional and incurs an additional cost.

Uniforms are used; uniform supplies are available at The Shop on campus.

There is a campus café on site.

NIST is a not-for-profit IB World School.

NIST International School offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across all age groups. Students in Early Years through Grade 5 follow the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which emphasizes inquiry-based learning across core subjects. Grades 6 to 10 follow the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which includes interdisciplinary projects and subject study in areas such as mathematics, sciences, language acquisition, and the arts. In Grades 11 and 12, students complete the IB Diploma Programme (DP), choosing from six subject groups and completing core components including Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). All programmes are taught in English, with additional language learning and specialist classes in visual arts, performing arts, and physical education. The curriculum is structured to meet IB standards while also incorporating service learning and opportunities for real-world application.

NIST places social and emotional learning at the core of its PYP framework, valuing emotional, social, and physical well‑being alongside learning to support student growth . Teachers integrate SEL competencies through inquiry‑based learning and collaborative classroom routines . Professional development for staff includes training on SEL and Universal Design for Learning principles to help embed emotional and social skills development into daily practice . The school also uses wellbeing initiatives such as WellNIST, which focuses on mental health literacy and awareness within the community .

NIST states publicly that it provides inclusive support services aligned with its mission, designed to meet a range of learning and wellbeing needs . Services include individual and team-based interventions, counselling, and allied health support such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and psychological assessment . The school is not a specialist SEN institution, but supports diverse needs including communication, motor skills, sensory processing, and behaviour challenges. Staff participate in regular professional development so they can identify and work with students receiving support .

NIST provides English language support for students whose first language is not English. In Elementary (Years 1–6), specialist EAL teachers work in homeroom settings to support language development alongside classroom instruction . In Secondary (Years 7–11), students follow the IB MYP English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme, receiving targeted support during humanities and science lessons . In Years 12–13, EAL students may select English B as part of their IB Diploma coursework .

NIST promotes mental wellbeing through its WellNIST initiative, which raises awareness and supports mental health literacy across the school community . The school psychologist works with students on social‑emotional and behavioural challenges, and liaises with families and teachers to coordinate support . Counselling and psychoeducational assessments are available to address emotional well‑being needs and help design appropriate individual plans . These services are integrated into the overall support structure coordinated by the school’s support services team.

NIST maintains child protection policies and procedures to ensure student safety, including thorough background screening for all staff, and clearly defined reporting protocols for potential concerns. The support services framework includes confidential communication channels between students, staff, specialists, and families to manage wellbeing and safety concerns safely . Safeguarding is embedded in the school’s governance, with regular reviews and training to ensure policies align with international standards .

1. Schedule a visit or virtual tour. If possible, families are encouraged to tour the campus or attend an online session to view facilities and discuss learning programmes.
2. Submit application documents. You'll provide reports, recommendation forms, medical records, passport scans, and any relevant educational assessments or IEPs.
3. Complete admission assessment. Applicants sit for age-appropriate assessments on campus—or, for remote students, at their current school or online. Assessment results help determine placement and additional support needs.
4. Receive decision and complete enrolment. If admitted, the school issues an Acceptance Letter with instructions on confirming your place, paying deposit fees, and enrolling online via Veracross. Meal plans, schedules, and extracurricular sign-ups follow.

As of publicly available information, NIST does not offer formal scholarships for academic or need-based support.

NIST does operate a wait pool for year levels that reach capacity. If no immediate space is available, your child may be placed in this pool and contacted if a spot becomes available. This provides flexibility for families applying mid-year or when popular year levels are full.

Shrewsbury International School Bangkok – Riverside Campus is located in the Bang Kho Laem district along the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok. The area features a mix of historic riverside neighbourhoods and modern residential developments. It is accessible via main roads and river ferry services, with nearby bus stops and connections to the BTS SkyTrain via Saphan Taksin station. Most families travel by private car or use the school’s organised transport service.

Education is structured into four stages: Early Years (EY1–EY2, ages ~3–5), Primary / Junior School (Years 1–6, 5–11 years), Secondary School (Years 7–11, 11–16 years), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13, 16–18 years) leading to IGCSE and AS/A‑Level qualifications.

The school is co‑educational, enrolling both boys and girls from nursery through Sixth Form. It functions entirely as a day school. No boarding provision is available.

Support is available for students with mild to moderate learning needs through the Learning Support team. Provision includes Special Educational Needs (SEN) support coordinated with classroom teachers via Individual Education Plans and in-class assistance. The SEN team consists of a Director of Learning Support, two Learning Support Teachers and six Learning Support Assistants and supports a wide range of needs including dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, social‑emotional or cognitive difficulties. Support begins at entry assessment and continues throughout a student’s time at the school with ongoing monitoring and strategy adjustments as needed. Additionally, students with limited English proficiency have access to English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, including sheltered English Plus lessons and co‑teaching, shifting into the Academic Literacy Programme (ALP) for Years 10–11 as needed. The EAL department includes 11 specialists, working from EY1 through Year 13 to build all four literacy skills and facilitate full access to the English-medium curriculum.

Shrewsbury Riverside is officially affiliated with Shrewsbury School in the United Kingdom, following the UK National Curriculum (British Curriculum).

There is no religious affiliation stated on the official Riverside campus website.

The school day typically begins with morning registration at 7:30 AM and ends between 2:40 PM and 2:45 PM, depending on the year group. Junior School students (Years 1–6) generally finish by 2:40 PM, while Senior School students (Years 7–13) leave closer to 2:45 PM. Optional after-school activities ("You-Time") are available in two sessions after school, generally from ~3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The school facilitates access to private bus services managed by Montri Transport Corporation, an external provider with over 50 years of experience in Bangkok-based international school transport. Routes cover central Bangkok areas such as Charoen Krung Road, Sathorn, Silom, Sukhumvit, Rama IV/IX, and surrounding zones. Parents book and contract directly with Montri, and the service is widely used, given Bangkok’s traffic congestion and limited onsite parking.

Each bus has a driver and a monitor supervising safe boarding and drop‑off. All buses utilize GPS tracking and RFID student cards. Children tap their cards to log each journey, and parents receive automated email notifications in real-time. Every seat is equipped with a seatbelt, and drivers undergo alcohol tests before departure. Safety limits are enforced: 10–15 km/h in school grounds, 60–75 km/h on expressways

The school operates as a day school with two Bangkok campuses: Riverside and City Campus. A School Bus service is available for student transport.

Uniform is compulsory for all students. The standard uniform includes a blue Shrewsbury polo shirt with white collar worn with blue shorts, white ankle socks and plain trainers; a sun hat is required for outdoor use. A House Shirt is worn daily and House apparel forms part of the uniform; all uniform items are purchased from the School Shop.

The school operates a six-house system. Students are allocated to one of six Houses at the start of school and remain in that House; Houses are named after Nobel Peace Prize winners. Students earn House points through a range of activities, including events such as SceneFest, Cheerleading, Music, Cross Country, Sports Day and Swimming Galas.

The school is governed by a Board of Governors which provides policy guidance to the Principal.

Shrewsbury Riverside follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years 1 through Year 13, beginning with EYFS in Early Years and progressing through Key Stages 1 to 5.
In Years 10–11, students pursue Cambridge IGCSE qualifications, typically taking 8–11 subjects alongside core English, Mathematics, and Science.
In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), students study Cambridge AS- and A-Levels, often combining this with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and optional Higher Project Qualifications for deeper research learning.
Senior School (Years 7–11) offers a broad set of subjects across humanities, languages, sciences, arts, and technology, with specialist teaching for all subjects.
The school also offers additional initiatives like Reading the World, an interdisciplinary humanities programme, and robust university guidance through its higher education counselling team.

The school’s Well-being and Counselling Team supports students’ social and emotional learning through individual and group sessions, lunchtime and friendship clubs, and in-class Learning for Life lessons. Workshops on topics like resilience, communication, and transitions are held twice a month for parents and students. The Lead Counsellor collaborates with teachers to help students manage academic and personal challenges. Support is also present during school trips and exams, helping students build self-awareness and coping strategies.

Shrewsbury Riverside provides SEN support from Early Years 1 through Year 13, led by a team including a Director of Learning Support, 2 Learning Support Teachers and 6 Learning Support Assistants. Students with needs such as dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, sensory-motor delays or SEMH issues are supported via standardised assessments, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and Pupil Passports. Some students receive in-class 1:1 assistant support, and the SEN team partners with external therapists when needed.

Shrewsbury Riverside has an EAL Department of 11 specialist practitioners serving students from EY1 to Year 13. They provide support through sheltered immersion models, co‑teaching, English Plus lessons, and placement on the Academic Literacy Programme (ALP) for Years 10–11. Students are assessed on entry and monitored throughout to ensure progression.

The Well-being Team, including professional counsellors, offers one-on-one or group counselling, supports exam and transition stress, and leads programmes to build emotional resilience. They run parent workshops, promote positive mental health strategies, and accompany students on residential trips to reinforce wellbeing.

The school adheres to a formal Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy aligned with UK and Thai guidelines. A Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies oversee staff training, safer recruitment, risk assessments, and annual policy review. Students are encouraged to report concerns through tutor groups, assemblies, Student Council, and worry boxes. Confidential records are maintained, and referrals are made to external agencies when necessary.

1. Visit the campus. Families are encouraged to tour the Riverside campus during school term time for a realistic view of the day-to-day learning environment. School leaders may be available during the visit, and tours are booked via an online form.

2. Submit a formal application. Parents complete and send an application form with all required documents, including passport copies, school reports, health certificate, photos, and visa details (if applicable). If applying to both Riverside and City Campus, a priority campus must be selected.

3. Pay the application fee. A non-refundable fee of THB 5,000 per child is payable before assessment. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, or bank transfer to the Accounts Department.

4. Assessment and interview. Applicants undergo age-appropriate academic and character assessments. The process evaluates suitability for the school’s learning environment and helps identify any needed support. Assessments will not be conducted more than 12 months ahead of a child’s intended start date.

5. Decision and waiting list. The application file is reviewed by leadership. If the child meets the criteria but no place is available, a waiting list option is offered. If applicable, families may be offered a place at City Campus instead.

6. Accept the place and enrol. Successful applicants receive a Letter of Acceptance, Acceptance of Place Form, and the invoice for the Guaranteed Place Fee. Families must submit all remaining documents and payments by the deadline to confirm enrolment.

Shrewsbury Riverside offers several scholarships, primarily aimed at high-achieving students entering Sixth Form (Years 12–13):

Sir Martin Rees Scholarship
This is a merit-based scholarship available to students who achieve 11 A grades at IGCSE (or equivalent). It includes financial fee remission and is awarded to both internal and external applicants. Selection is based on academic excellence and interview performance.

Honorary Academic Scholarship
Granted to applicants who achieve 7–10 A grades at IGCSE. While these are honorary titles and typically do not include fee remission, they recognize exceptional academic achievement.

Sir David Lees Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded internally to existing students who achieve 4 A grades at A Level. It is granted retrospectively and may include a partial refund of fees or symbolic recognition for academic excellence.

All scholarship recipients must maintain the school’s behavioural and academic standards to retain their status. Shortlisted external candidates may be invited for interviews or additional assessments before offers are confirmed.

Shrewsbury Riverside operates a waitlist system rather than a pooled or lottery-based model. If a student meets all the academic, character, and admissions criteria but no place is currently available, they are placed on a waiting list for their preferred year group. Placement offers are extended as soon as availability arises.
If the student has applied to both the Riverside and City Campus (Junior only), and a place is open at the non-priority campus, the family may either accept that place or choose to remain on the waitlist for their preferred campus. Once a Guaranteed Place Fee is paid and an offer accepted, transfers between campuses are not permitted, except from City Campus to Riverside at the end of Year 6.
The waitlist is reviewed periodically, and families will be contacted directly when a place becomes available.