RBIS International School vs Garden International School Bangkok

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.

Located in Sathorn, central Bangkok, the school sits in a leafy enclave close to Lumpini and Chong Nonsi BTS stations. This central area offers easy access to major roads and public transport, and is nestled among embassy and residential precincts, with dining and parks nearby.

The school is structured into Early Years (ages 2–5), Primary (Years 1–6), Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), Upper Secondary/IGCSE (Years 10–11) and Sixth Form/A‑Levels (Years 12–13). Each stage prepares students progressively for the next, following UK-adapted curricula.

Garden International School is a co-educational day school.

Support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is provided through in-class assistance, differentiated lessons, teaching assistants, and personalized learner passports with regular reviews.

The school does not have any formal affiliation to Thailand or another country.

The school is secular and has no religious affiliation.

Early Years (Ages 2–5)
The school day starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:10 PM, with an option to stay until 3:00 PM for extracurricular activities. There are morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch is served around midday.

Primary (Years 1–6)
The school day begins at 7:30 AM and finishes between 2:45 PM and 3:00 PM, depending on the year group. Students have a morning break and a lunch break. Optional ECAs run after school.

Secondary (Years 7–11)
Lessons start at 8:00 AM and the day ends around 3:00 PM. There is a morning break and a lunch break. Additional activities and revision sessions may take place after school.

Sixth Form (Years 12–13)
The day begins at 8:00 AM and generally ends by 3:00 PM. Students follow a flexible timetable and have breaks between lessons, including a lunch break. Independent study periods are built into the schedule.

Garden offers a termly bus service across four routes covering Sathorn, Silom, Thonglor/Sukhumvit and Bangrak. Costs depend on the route and can be paid per term.

The school has a uniform policy. A Uniform Shop provides the standard uniform and PE kit for Foundation through A-Levels. The uniform includes a shirt, skirt or shorts, PE kit, jumper, hat, tie, and a house shirt for House events.

The canteen serves Thai, Western and vegetarian options. Meals are freshly prepared on site with local produce, and the canteen can cater for most dietary requirements and allergies.

Garden International has a House System with four houses: Gecko, Eagle, Cobra and Tiger. Pupils and staff are allocated to a House for the duration of their time at school. The system includes House events, two Captains per House, and a points-based reward structure with termly rewards and a year-end party.

Garden International School Bangkok follows a British-based curriculum tailored for an international student body. In the Early Years (ages 2–5), children follow the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Primary students (Years 1–6) study a broad version of the English National Curriculum, including core subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Computing, PE, Music, and Languages. In Secondary (Years 7–9), subject-specialist teaching continues across a wide range of academic and creative subjects. Students in Years 10–11 follow the Cambridge IGCSE programme and sit formal exams at the end of Year 11. Sixth Form students (Years 12–13) pursue Cambridge A Levels, typically selecting 3–4 subjects alongside optional leadership, service, and university preparation programmes.

The school emphasizes social and emotional development through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and ‘experience days’ that nurture resilience, reflection and self-awareness. Students take part in vertical group activities, student leadership roles, including Student Council and House Captains and school-wide ‘special days’ that support social cohesion. Qualified pastoral staff, including a counsellor, support this SEL framework.

Garden operates inclusive support under the UK’s SEND Code of Practice, assisting students across four main need categories: social–emotional and mental health, communication and interaction, sensory or physical, and cognition and learning. SEN support includes learner passports, an assess–plan–do–review cycle, in-class teaching assistant help, specialist referrals (e.g. to speech or occupational therapists), and support from an Inclusion team and counsellor. It is not a specialist SEN school, but a mainstream one offering tailored provisions

The school supports EAL learners via Quality First Teaching combined with specialist input, using a WIDA-based approach to assess and support language acquisition from Foundation through Year 13. Inclusive strategies include translanguaging, maintaining home language, and targeted interventions for students below WIDA proficiency level 2 or 3.

A dedicated school counsellor works closely with the Inclusion department to support students, especially in social–emotional and mental health areas. The school’s staff includes qualified pastoral care professionals who monitor students and coordinate wellbeing support . Counselling forms part of the broader learner support framework, adapting to individual needs via learner passports.

Details on safeguarding and child protection policies are not publicly disclosed on the school’s website.

Attend a Campus Tour (optional)
Prospective families can book a tour to view the facilities and observe classes.

Submit Application & Documents
Following the tour or enquiry, you'll complete the online application, pay the application fee, and supply required paperwork (e.g., transcripts, ID, visa documents).

Assessments and Interviews
Younger applicants may take a basic readiness check, whereas Year 7+ students sit entrance exams and attend an interview or school visit. Admissions contacts support preparation.

Offer and Enrolment
Successful applicants receive an offer, after which they pay the one-time enrolment fee and sign the contract. The school then issues documents for visa and placement.

Garden International School Bangkok does not publicly disclose any scholarships or bursaries on its website.

The school’s official site does not detail any waitlist or placement pool.