RBIS International School vs Ascot International School

RBIS is on Soi Rajavithi 2, Rajavithi Road, Samsennai, Phayathai district, Bangkok 10400, within a 10-minute walk of Victory Monument BTS Station and close to the Aree neighborhood. The area offers convenient public transport access and sits in a mature city suburb.

RBIS serves students aged approximately 18 months to 18 years, structured as Early Years (up to age 5), Primary (ages 5–11, Key Stages 1–2), Secondary (11–14, Key Stage 3), and Sixth Form/Post‑16 (14–18, IGCSE and post‑16 pathways).

RBIS is a co‑educational day school.

RBIS offers Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), a Nurture Group, and 1–2–1 intervention sessions for students with SEN - supported by teaching assistants and collaboration among SENCo, parents, and specialists.

RBIS is affiliated with the British education system, following the English National Curriculum throughout its programmes.

RBIS does not have a religious affiliation.

The specific daily timings for class start/end times, breaks, and transitions for Primary and Secondary sections are not detailed on the publicly available school website.

RBIS provides a school bus service available upon request—details and routes are arranged directly through the school.

The school provides mid-morning snacks and lunch. A healthy diet supports physical and intellectual development, improves behaviour, focus, and academic performance.

RBIS has a four-house system: Unicorn, Dragon, Lion and Phoenix. Students are assigned to a house on joining RBIS, and each house has two elected House Captains and two Vice-captains (Primary and Secondary) to coordinate activities and represent the house at meetings.

RBIS International School is governed by a Board of Directors. Current board members are Arwenun Klipbua (Executive Director), Amornrat (Assistant Professor), Kannaporn, and Timothy Ralph Cooper (Headmaster).

RBIS follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 18 months–5) through to Upper Secondary (ages 16–18) with distinct Key Stages 1–5 . At Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), students study a broad range of subjects as a foundation before moving into the pre‑IGCSE Year 9 programme . In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students take Cambridge IGCSE subjects across core and elective options, including English, Maths, Sciences, Humanities, Thai (for Thai nationals), and Mandarin for non-native speakers . Post‑16 (Years 12–13, Key Stage 5), students choose between Cambridge A‑Levels, BTEC qualifications, or an RBIS High School Diploma, with support for IELTS/SAT testing if required.

These varied pathways offer both academic and vocational routes leading to university entry in Thailand and abroad.

RBIS references SEL mainly through its pastoral care framework and its Nurture Group, a small, specialized class that targets both academic and social‑emotional development for learners struggling to access the curriculum. The school also uses Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) with clear goals and strategies to promote positive behavior. Its well-being pages describe a threefold focus on pastoral care, personalized learning and student well‑being.

RBIS states that families can consult the school SENCo; provision can include IEPs (Individual Education Plans), BSPs, teaching assistant support, and the Nurture Group for students who need a modified pace and environment. The Thai-language SEN page adds that support may involve curriculum/teaching adjustments, health‑professional advice, and peer-circle arrangements; needs are reviewed to ensure support is “adequate and effective.” The site does not describe RBIS as a specialist SEN school; it presents SEN provision within a mainstream international school setting.

RBIS runs an EAL programme and places students using internal English assessments aligned to CEFR levels. Students close to CEFR B1 join mainstream lessons with targeted in‑class language support; those below B1 may enter the English Language Centre (ELC) for more intensive provision before progressively transitioning to full timetables. The site notes that all teachers are qualified specialists and classes are small, enabling individual attention.

RBIS publishes a well‑being page stating that student well‑being is embedded alongside pastoral care and personalized learning. The page defines well‑being and positions it as a core part of school life, but does not name a counselling team, referral pathway, or formal mental‑health programme. Broader pastoral statements reiterate individualized attention and student well‑being as a core strand.

RBIS International School has a comprehensive safeguarding policy covering all students, overseen by Designated Safeguarding Leads and a board representative. The policy outlines clear procedures for reporting and responding to concerns, including escalation to local authorities if necessary. All staff undergo regular safeguarding training and follow strict codes of conduct, with safer recruitment practices in place. Students are supported through PSHEE lessons, online safety education, and anti-bullying initiatives. The policy is reviewed annually by the school’s Board of Management.

1. If available, book an Open House or school visit. During your visit, an admissions officer will give a tour, walk through facilities, and answer questions in person.
2. Complete the application form. You’ll need to submit child’s passport copy, academic transcripts from the past 12 months, a reference letter from the previous school, and a valid residence permit or visa.
3. Student assessment. RBIS administers an internal assessment, including English placement (to determine EAL support) and cognitive testing (e.g. CAT4 for gifted identification).
4. Application review. The admissions team, together with academic leadership, reviews all documents and assessment results before confirming an offer or waitlist status.
5. Enrollment and fee payment. Once an offer is accepted, payment of registration, tuition deposit or capital levy, and confirmation of tuition fees is arranged. Your child is then officially enrolled.

RBIS offers Merit Scholarships for students aged 11–13 who demonstrate high achievement in academics, arts, music or sport. These awards range from 20% to 50% of tuition, and candidates must complete school-administered assessments and attend an interview. There are also Leadership Scholarships that may offer 20% up to full tuition to students showing leadership potential in various fields; both types require submission of an application form by the published deadline.

RBIS does operate a waitlist or placement pool: applicants may receive an offer or be placed on a waiting list depending on availability for a given year group. The site indicates that offers are conditional until assessments and places are confirmed. However, detailed public explanation of waitlist timelines or criteria is not provided.

Ascot International School is situated in the leafy Saphan Sung area of Bangkok, on Ramkhamhaeng 118 Alley.

The campus is accessible via major roads and is a short drive from Sukhumvit and Lat Phrao districts, offering a quieter, suburban setting with good transport links.

The school serves children aged 18 months to 18 years, with clearly defined stages: Early Years (18 mo–4 yrs), Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13).

Ascot is a co-educational day school.

The school offers dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) support across all levels, including in-class inclusion and out-of-class extraction. It also provides tailored programs and adaptive technologies to support students with disabilities or specific learning differences.

Ascot does not have formal affiliation with any specific country.

The school has no religious affiliation.

Nursery–Reception sessions run from 08:00 to 14:30. Year 1–13 students attend from 07:40 to 15:00, with scheduled breaks and a lunch period mid-day.

Ascot’s website does not mention a dedicated school bus or coach service.

The school operates as a day school with no boarding facilities.

The school requires a uniform. The Ascot Boutique uniform shop is located adjacent to the New Secondary building and sells Ascot uniforms. It is open Monday to Friday during normal school hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM during school holidays.

Meals are catered by Premier Chef. Snack and lunch menus for EY and PY-SY are published for the current academic year. Meals include vegetarian, dairy-free, and egg-free options, and menus rotate to provide a diverse range of dishes.

Ascot has a House System with four houses. In 2021–2022 the houses were renamed from Trojans, Aztecs, Vikings, and Titans to Thai mythical creature names: Trojans became Phraya Insee (purple); Aztecs became Phraya Kochasarn (green); Vikings became Phraya Naga (blue); Titans became Phraya Rachasee (orange). Throughout the year, students can earn house points through various activities, and House Colours Days provide competition; end-of-year trophy is awarded to the top house.

Ascot International School is an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Early Years and Primary (Pre-Nursery to Year 6). In Secondary (Years 7–11), the school delivers a blend of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) (currently in candidacy) and the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Students in Years 10 and 11 sit for IGCSE exams. In Years 12 and 13, students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Core subjects across the school include English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Languages, and Physical Education, with instruction in English. Additional support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided where needed.

Ascot embeds SEL within its IB PYP framework, focusing on emotional intelligence through inquiry-based learning in Early Years and Primary stages. The school’s pastoral system, including form tutors and daily/weekly check-ins, supports social and emotional growth from the first day of school. Specific mindfulness programmes are available to help students manage stress and improve focus. SEL is reinforced during activities like Harmony Day, which promotes cultural understanding and peer relationships.

Ascot is not a specialist SEN institution, but it incorporates a multi-agency Inclusive Learning Practices strategy to support students with learning differences or disabilities. Teachers use differentiated instruction, adapt environments, and deploy adaptive technologies to address physical, cognitive, and sensory learning barriers. Staff anticipate individual needs before the first day and adjust teaching materials, processes, and environments accordingly.

Ascot offers EAL support at all levels, with Early Years incorporating language through play and repetition and primary through in-class inclusion and small-group extraction support. In Secondary Years 7–9, students are withdrawn from Mandarin classes for extra English lessons and may receive support during English lessons. At Key Stage 4, students are placed on either English First Language or English Second Language IGCSE tracks and sit external Cambridge English exams.

Ascot’s wellbeing initiatives include mindfulness programmes and a structured pastoral support system provided by form tutors, with regular meetings and close communication with parents. The school emphasizes mental health by integrating wellbeing into the curriculum and offering resources for stress management. Extracurricular activities - including sports and arts- are offered to support student engagement and emotional balance.

Ascot maintains robust safeguarding and child protection policies, with mandatory staff training and embedded procedures to ensure a safe environment. All community members are held responsible for student safety and trained regularly in child protection protocols. The school emphasizes proactive safeguarding, viewing student welfare as a fundamental responsibility of the institution.

1. Book an Open House or school tour. Attending sessions - such as the one held 31 January 2025 - lets you walk the campus, meet teachers, and see the environment firsthand.

2. Submit an application. Once you've visited, complete the online form, attach required documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport) and pay the non-refundable THB 4,000 application fee.

3. Attend assessments and interviews. Pre-Nursery–Year 2 applicants have a parent interview and informal assessment; Years 3–6 take English and Maths tests plus an interview; Years 7–13 complete assessments and meet with the Head of Secondary.

4. Receive results and offer. Within 3–5 working days, the Admissions Team informs you of your outcome and issues an Offer of Place, including a fee invoice.

5. Confirm your child’s place. To secure enrolment, pay the enrolment fee by the deadline and complete tuition payment. At this stage, uniforms and resources can also be purchased.

The school offers academic scholarships for entry into Years 4, 5, 10, and Year 12 (IB Diploma Programme) for the 2025–2026 academic year. Applicants must submit a THB 1,000 registration fee and sit an examination in late March. Results are communicated shortly afterward. The scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and are limited to those year groups.

Ascot operates an open-entry policy and does not maintain a formal waitlist. Admission is offered to families whose children’s needs can be met by the school’s programmes and resources.