Schools On Samui

[Major Major]

I have a friend in the UK who has received a job offer here and really wants to come...but he has an 11 yr old and a 6 yr old. My knowledge of schooling in samui is sketchy but I understand they leave a lot to be desired and are not up to international standard. I also heard yesterday that Dulwich College in Phuket is having it's accreditation removed by Dulwich London and Samui will follow.

Can anyone offer any advice?

[Major Major]

These are the schools listed in the directory but no doubt most of them are thai speaking

Ban Bang Rak School

Bang Rak

Ban Bo Phut School

Bo Phut

Ban Haadgnam School

Samui Ring Road, Bo Phut

Ban Laem Hoi School

Samui Ring Road, Mae Nam

Ban Plai Laem School

Bo Phut

Bandonthop School

Lipa Noi

Dulwich International College, Samui

Fisherman Village, Bophut

English Teaching School

Samui Ring Road, Bo Phut

Koh Samui School

Samui Ring Road, Lipa Noi

St. Josephs School

Thaweeratphakdee Road, Nathon

The International Academy

Chaweng

Tiparatpitaya School

Samui Ring Road, Mae Nam

Wat Boontrikgaram School

Novotel Road, Bo Phut

Wat Chaeng School

Thaweeratphakdee, Nathon

[Major Major]

and....

Wat Kiriwungkaram School

Taling Ngam

Wat Naracharoensuk School

Lipa Noi

Wat Phu Kao Thong School

Samui Ring Road, Mae Nam

Wat Saket School

Samui Ring Road, Taling Ngam

Wat Samut School

Lipa Noi

Wat Sawang Arom School

Samui Ring Road, Bo Phut

[sbk]

Those are almost all local Thai govt schools or Wat schools. All classes will be in Thai.

A few friends have sent their kids to St Josephs. They said it wasn't bad but then they also moved their children back to their home country when they reached about 11-12. I believe it is in English, but it is a Catholic school so if there is any problem with the kids being indoctrinated in the Catholic religion it is probably not a good choice.

Don't know what happened to Dulwich, is it even open yet???

[Goldenbead]

Dulwich has pulled out from Samui. I know someone who is over there right now discussing organising a school but it will probably just be primary. The lady who was running the Dulwich interim school is trying to get something going for her students. I will have more information in the next few days. PM me if you want more information.

[naomisri]

A few friends have sent their kids to St Josephs. They said it wasn't bad but then they also moved their children back to their home country when they reached about 11-12. I believe it is in English, but it is a Catholic school so if there is any problem with the kids being indoctrinated in the Catholic religion it is probably not a good choice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

St Josephs is also in Thai. My step son has been going there for the past 10 yrs. St. Josephs just wouldn't be an option for kids who don't speak Thai - I'm not sure they'd even be accepted.

There doesn't seem to be any other viable option for 11+ kids. If there was one on Samui my step son would be there instead!

I know an English teacher here who has his kids schooled at home with a group of friends' kids. They hired a teacher to do this for them, but bear in mind that they wouldn't be recognised as attending school in Thailand in this case.

GOOD LUCK!

[Major Major]

any info on the International Academy? Has a decent website...

[sbk]

A friend of mine homeschooled her two kids with a program from her home country. Plus they had to attend Thai school full time (as they were Thai citizens as well it is a legal requirement), she felt that not only was it too much work for the kids to have to do both, their english wasn't up to the standard of kids back home. She moved back to Canada when they were 12.

[islanddreamer]

We're considering a move to Samui and have been in touch with the headmaster of the International Academy for our two boys. I've been trying to find out more about the school without much success. There have been mixed reports on various forums that I've been researching. It appears to have once been called the Bencaja Education Centre and has only recently renamed itself. If anyone has any more info on the school I'd appreciate it!

[Sturbuc]

...heard yesterday that Dulwich College in Phuket is having it's accreditation removed by Dulwich London and Samui will follow...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Phuket & Samui might have been separated but not closed, see http://www.dulwich.ac.th/index.asp.

Other schools see http://www.siamdir.com/public_services/schools/index.html

[limbos]

International Academy was Bencaja before.

The way this happened was very fishy and for me a reason not to put my children in that school.

[Gringo]

Dulwich has pulled out from Samui.  I know someone who is over there right now discussing organising a school but it will probably just be primary.  The lady who was running the Dulwich interim school is trying to get something going for her students.  I will have more information in the next few days.  PM me if you want more information.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

my wife and i are here in samui with our daughters and are considering the move from sydney. in order for a move to be feasible a excellent school on koh samui would be a must. therefore i would like to explore the possibility of assisting in the funding and development of a school. it would be very helpful to make contact with the lady you mention above. my local number in thailand is 0727 187 18. thanks.

[chelford67]

International Academy was Bencaja before.

The way this happened was very fishy and for me a reason not to put my children in that school.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We had intended to move to Samui earlier this year with our 2 young children. I made an appointment to see the head of The International School (Mr Colin, as he calls himself) Money was the main topic of conversation, fees paid upfront to reserve a placement. Total Bu##*t, just ask the question regarding teachers certificates and alarm bells will ring, especialy when you ask to see Khun Colins police check,credentials etc etc..... You only have to look at the sort bars he frequents..... Fishy I would say so, stay well clear.

Take a look down near The Jungle Club on the way to Lamai, this is an excellent establishment, it was just taking shape back in February, very pleaseing and excellent staff credentials. Good Luck.

Edited September 19, 2005 by chelford67

[limbos]

Hi Chelford,

So you decided not to come to Samui after all?

Was Mr. Colin American or English?

[Major Major]

A swedish school is opening in Maenam next year. Will give preference to scandanavians, but others can also supply. Sponsrered by the Swedish Govt, it will be run by the same people responsible for the successful scholl on Koh Lanta. Things are looking up.

[limbos]

Major, you have any more info on this?

Education in what languages, English or also in Swedish etc? How about Thai language?

[chelford67]

Hi Limbos...

Mr Colin (Cornes) is English, apparently he was head hunted whilst working in the Yemen... More funny smells!!! Theres lots of them after a lengthy conversation with him!

In answer to your other question Samui is still close to our hearts, sadly the buisness we were intending to purchase was sold under our feet. Same old story you here a thousand times. We are still looking and do not intend to rush. I came to Samui in 96 for the first time and became hooked, the same happened to my wife and now our children. Hopefully we will settle one day there, until then we have to make do with regular visits.

All The Best

Chelford

[limbos]

Chhers Chelford,

Good luck. I think I remember, was it the resort in Ban Rak?

Edited September 21, 2005 by limbos

[Major Major]

certainly in swedish and english...dunno about thai, will find out. Building starts in january, so may take a little while. However there is a 35 house project being built around the school too, for which they are now taking deposits. Guess if you buy a house you will certainly get in!