Frequently Asked Questions

When choosing a school for your child, you may find it helpful to consider the following frequently asked questions:

School information

1. Why choose Bangkok Patana School?

   Bangkok Patana School offers a British-style education in an international context for students aged 2 ½ -18 years. The school offers unparalleled facilities, a unique green field environment, a wide range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities, dedicated Pastoral care and support services, and a wealth of experience stemming from over 50 years of growth and development. The school has a proud record of academic achievement, as well as excellence in music and the performing arts, sports and other extra-curricular activities.

2. What is your school mission?

   Our mission is to ensure that children of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community.

3. How is your school accredited?

   Bangkok Patana School is an IB World School accredited by CIS and NEASC.

4. Is Bangkok Patana School a for-profit school?

   No. The school is a not-for-profit organisation which does not answer to shareholders. Instead, a community comprising many individuals from its past and present are responsible for the school and its continued development. The school’s Foundation Board oversees its activities in the spirit of its founder. The school’s success fuels further investment in the students and facilities of Bangkok Patana School.

Your child at school

5. How is the school day structured?
   Our school hours are as follows:

   
   Nursery and Kindergarten 1
   
   Kindergarten 2 – Year 2
   
   
   Year 3 – Year 6
   
   
   Year 7 – Year 13

   7:40am – 12:00pm
   During the morning the children will have a snack and light lunch
   

   7:40am – 1: 50pm
   9:10-09:30 am
   11:30am- 12:30pm
   7:40am – 2:30pm
   9:50 – 10:10am
   12:10 – 1:05pm
   7:40am – 2:30pm
   09:10-09:30
   12:10-1:05pm

   
   Milk/snack break
   Lunch break
   
   Milk/snack break
   Lunch break
   
   Snack break
   Lunch break

   Extra-Curricular Programme:

   Nursery – Kindergarten 2
   Year 1 – Year 2
   Year 3 – Year 13
   Sports Team Training

   No activities after school
   13:50 – 14:30
   14:30 – 15:45
   14:30 – 16:30
6. What are your class sizes?

   In the Nursery and Kindergarten 1 classes the number of students per class will not exceed twenty. In Kindergarten 2 to Year 2 every effort will be made to keep the number of students to twenty but two extra fluent/native English speakers per class may be admitted. In Year 3 to Year 6 every effort will be made not to exceed twenty two students but one extra fluent/native English speaker may be admitted to a maximum of twenty three per class. From Year 7 to Year 11 in the Secondary School classes will not exceed twenty two students and in the Senior Studies the maximum number of students in a Tutor Group is eighteen and in a class is seventeen. There are also specialist subject teaching staff who teach classes and groups of children. This ensures that the overall teacher-pupil ratio is approximately 1:10.

7. How will the social and emotional development of my child be looked after?

   A strong Pastoral system in central to the British-style of education. The Pastoral programme focuses on the well-being of the whole child and values each student’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional development. Class teachers (Primary) and Form Tutors (Secondary) take care of their students’ pastoral needs on a day-to-day basis. Heads of Year are then available for more serious concerns, and for specific needs students or parents would be referred to our school counsellors.

8. What academic support services are available?

   Our academic support services include a strong Learning Support department (including Gifted and Talented), Speech Therapist, English as an Additional Language Support and Careers and Universities Advisors.

9. Is any special provision made to help new students settle into the school?

   All new students are assigned a buddy in their class or tutor group, who will help with orientation and settling in, as well as making friends with their new classmates.

10. Do you have any advice on how I can help my child to settle in at Bangkok Patana School?

    To see tips from other Bangkok Patana School parents on helping your child settle in at school, please click here. (document currently being updated)

Learning & Teaching

11. What curriculum do you follow?

    The academic programme at Bangkok Patana School has its roots in the English National Curriculum but has been further developed and constructed to celebrate the international context in which the school operates. This culminates in students taking the IGCSE and GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Our Senior Studies students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or The IB Certificate Plus Programme. The emphasis is on offering a broad-based, challenging and rigorous curriculum where students are encouraged to become reflective, inquisitive, critical thinkers with a love of learning.

12. Do you have standardised testing in the Primary school?

    Primary Students get the opportunity to measure performance against their counterparts in United Kingdom schools via the National Curriculum Tests. These provide a valuable barometer of attainment in the core subjects, and are sat at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). At the end of Year 6 almost all students achieve Level 4 or above in their Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests. A significant number of students achieve Level 5, which is well above UK expectations, and forms an excellent foundation for the move to Secondary School.

13. What internationally-recognised certificates and qualifications do you offer in the Secondary School?

    Students in Years 10 and 11 follow a two-year programme comprised of International General Certificates of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSE), with final examinations sat in May and June of Year 11. In Term 1 of Year 10, students will also take part in the Yellis tests which are used to determine benchmark grades, track students’ progress and identify strengths and weaknesses. Bangkok Patana School is an accredited SAT test centre.

    Students following the Senior Studies Programme in Years 12 and 13 undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma course of study or individual International Baccalaureate Certificates. The IB Diploma is recognised as an outstanding pre-university course.

14. Which universities did last year’s graduates attend?

    Bangkok Patana Students choose to attend universities in a wide variety of career areas and countries. To see further details of the institutions and courses chosen by our most recent graduates please click here for the Student Achievement Booklet.

15. Are students set (grouped) by ability?

    From Year 7 we set students for Maths, Physical Education (PE) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). This allows students to work with others of a similar ability and for extension work and support to be given to those students who need it. Movement between these groups is possible during the year. In Year 9 we also introduce setting for Science, in preparation for some students to take 3 single sciences at IGCSE (rather than double-award science). There is also some setting for English classes in Years 10 and 11. At IB level we are also able to offer a support group for English.

16. Will my child have difficulty making the transition from another school system?

    We have students joining us from many different school systems, and our teachers are skilled at ensuring the transition is smooth. There may sometimes be gaps or overlaps in content, but these will be quickly identified and addressed. For our examination students in the Secondary school we advise parents against moving mid-course. Ideally we would like our students to complete the entire IGCSE course (Years 10 and 11) and/or the IB course (Years 12 and 13).

17. What foreign languages can my child learn?

    Students in Year 3 are given a short introductory course in all five languages on offer – French, German, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. Students from Year 4 to Year 6 then commence a more formal approach to MFL study. They will select one language: French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish or Thai. Students are then encouraged to remain studying this language throughout their Secondary years.

    All students in Year 1-6 follow a Thai Language and Culture programme.

    Students who are part of the EAL Programme choose English as a modern foreign language (EML) taught by our EAL teachers.

    Thai Nationals are required to follow the Thai language programme during these periods.

    In addition to the above programme, home-language lessons for Dutch and Singaporean students are provided through an arrangement with the respective Cultural Society and Ministry of Education. Instruction in some other home languages is organised by parents, and operates as a part of our ECA Programme after school.

    At IB level we are able to support a range of different home languages for Group 1. For further information please contact us and you will be put in touch with the relevant member of academic staff.

18. Can my child learn to play an instrument, or continue one they are already studying?

    Students throughout the Primary School will have regular music lessons as part of the curriculum, and instruments are introduced at the appropriate stage. In Years 7, 8 and 9 all students will join an ensemble and learn a musical instrument. Music is then one of the optional courses offered for students in Year 10 and above.

    In addition to curriculum music classes, students are able to take part in the Instrumental Music Programme which offers private lessons in voice and a range of instruments. This is at an additional charge, and will take place during the school day on a rotation schedule. We also offer Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Examinations from Prep level to Grade 8.

    Students are able to participate in a wide range of musical ECAs after school, including choirs, orchestras and bands.

19. What opportunities will my child have to develop ICT skills?

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) prepares students to participate in a rapidly changing world which is being increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technology. Students use ICT tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsively, creatively and with discrimination.

    Bangkok Patana School has invested heavily in ICT and is extremely well equipped with interactive smart boards in most classrooms. In the Primary School three ICT rooms are backed up by PCs in the classrooms and Year groups, and in the Secondary School five fully-equipped ICT rooms are available in addition to the teachers’ PCs in the classroom. ICT is taught by our specialist ICT teachers and assistants.

    Our school extranet incorporates a portal for parents (Parents’ Gateway), eClassroom, and the Shine & Write and Link & Learn databases of teaching and learning resources which can be accessed from home and in the classroom.

    Bangkok Patana School has a permanent high-speed Internet connection, and Internet security is taken very seriously. Students are closely monitored when on-line and are taught to use the Internet and email responsibly.

20. What extra-curricular activities are available for my child?

    At Bangkok Patana School, the emphasis is on encouraging students to develop their talents to their fullest extent. The broad-based curriculum is only the starting point and is complemented by an extensive extra-curricular activities programme. Students are encouraged to engage in a range of activities and grow, not only in an academic sense, but in other areas such as on the playing field, in the concert hall and through community service. For details about the opportunities on offer, please click here.

21. What kind of trips can my child take part in?

    Preparing students for life involves providing opportunities to meet and overcome challenges and the school’s Residential and International Award programmes do just that. Beginning in Primary School, students participate in a range of exploration and field trips which promote an understanding of the surrounding environment and focus on skills like teamwork. In addition, Secondary School students may participate in a wide range of faculty-organised field trips designed to enrich the curriculum and develop personal skills. In Secondary School, students also have the option of participating in the International Award for Young People. Known in the UK as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and recognised worldwide, students develop skills outside the classroom through community service, physical recreation and expeditions.

Staff

22. Are all of your teachers fully certified?

    Central to the teaching and learning experience at Bangkok Patana School are the teaching professionals who form a dedicated and highly-motivated team intent on ensuring each student receives the best possible support. All academic staff have internationally-recognised qualifications. The school has high expectations of its staff and seeks individuals who can be role models providing strong Pastoral support, inspiring and motivating students to do their very best.

23. Where do your teachers come from?

    Our academic staff are recruited primarily from the United Kingdom. The school’s teaching approach reflects the best of current United Kingdom best practice in terms of classroom organisation and teaching and learning styles.

24. How long on average do teachers remain at Bangkok Patana School?

    Bangkok Patana School has a dedicated staff, with the average stay currently 4-6 years. This year’s turnover of teaching staff was 15%.

25. Does the school support professional development?

    Bangkok Patana School is committed to meeting the challenges of the changing educational environment and is always looking to improve. Professional development for staff, ensuring the best and most appropriate technologies are in place and maintaining a readiness to accept new styles of teaching and learning are central to the invigorating environment of the school.

School life

26. Do you have school lunches?

    Yes. Primary students have their own canteen serving a selection of Western and Asian dishes including a vegetarian option, in addition to noodles, sandwiches and a salad bar. Parents may pay for lunch on a termly basis. Secondary students also have a canteen serving a similar array of dishes, in addition to a noodle restaurant and the snack shop which sells lunchboxes, sandwiches and fruit etc. Students can opt to join the “Set Lunch Programme” which is paid for in advance every term, or buy lunch by purchasing a lunch coupon. Parents are welcome to join their children for lunch, and may also purchase a lunch coupon from the school shop or near the canteens at lunchtime.

    Students in Nursery and Kindergarten 1 are provided with a light lunch in their classroom which is included in the school fees.

    Students are welcome to bring a packed lunch to school. A detailed menu is sent home each Friday along with the copy of our school newsletter, and may also be viewed on the Parents’ Gateway. Please see the tuition and fees section for details of canteen charges.

    All Primary students are provided with milk, and students in Nursery to Year 2 receive a snack such as fruit or a muffin in the classroom. Students in Year 3-13 may bring a snack from home, or purchase a snack at school using the coupon system.

27. Do you have a school uniform and where can I buy this?

    Yes, all students from Nursery to Year 11 are required to wear a school uniform. Our Senior Studies students in Year 12 and 13 do not need to wear a uniform but must conform to the dress code in their Student Handbook. School uniforms may be purchased from our school shop, which is open from 7:30am to 4:00pm during term time and from 8:00am to 3:30pm during holidays before the start of each term. Please telephone for further details regarding uniform requirements, prices and shop opening dates. Please note that students are required to wear black leather shoes to school.

28. Do you have a school nurse on campus?

    We have a team of professional nursing staff on campus, with a separate nurse’s office for the Primary and Secondary Schools.

29. How do I communicate with my child’s teacher, and how often will I receive reports?

    Communication between school and home is extremely important and we have several strategies in place to facilitate this. Every student is issued with a communication book which serves as a link between the parents and teacher. Parents may also contact their child’s teacher via email or telephone the school office and leave a message with the secretary asking for a return phone call.

    School reports are sent home regularly, and parent-teacher meetings are organised throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with the appropriate member of staff via the school office if they have any questions or concerns.

30. Can parents help out at school? Who do I contact?

    As a community-based school we welcome parental involvement and there are many different ways to participate in school life. If you are interested in becoming a classroom volunteer please inform your child’s teacher and contact the relevant Principal. Alternatively you might like to contact our PTG Committee who are active in many areas of the school and always welcome new members.

31. Where do most of your students live, and how do they get to school?

    Approximately 45% of our families live in the Sukhumvit area, and 28% live near to school in Bang-Na. 12% of our families stay in Sathorn/Silom and 5% in Lad Prao. The remaining 10% are spread across Bangkok.

    The decision of where to live in Bangkok depends on a variety of factors, including size, budget, preference for a house or condominium, and distance to school, workplace, and leisure amenities. There are many relocation companies providing home search and orientation programmes in Bangkok. Here are details of a few:

    • Allied Pickfords www.alliedpickfords.com tel. 0-2361-3961
    • Asian Tigers Transpo International www.asiantigers-thailand.com tel. 0-2687-7888
    • Crown Worldwide Movers (Thailand) Ltd. www.crownrelo.com tel. 0-2249-0219
    • Relocations Asia Pacific www.relocations.co.th tel. 0-2632-0228-30
    • Santa Fe Relocation Services www.santaferelo.com tel. 0-2742-9890-2

    A key support service is transport and the school’s extensive school bus system enables students of all ages from locations all over Bangkok to travel safely to and from school every day. The school manages a fleet of minibuses with drivers following a strict code of conduct. A bus monitor is present on each bus to provide extra support and assistance, particularly for the younger students. The door-to-door service means students are collected from and returned home each day, with extra-curricular activities also taken into account throughout the term. Please see the Transport page for further details. You may also consult our Parent Guide for further information regarding housing.

Admissions

32. What documents do I need from my child’s previous school if I want to apply to Bangkok Patana School?

    Please include a copy of your child’s most recent report with their application. The report should contain written comments and a key to explain any grades of marks. If you only have a transcript available, please ask your child’s teacher to prepare a letter with some detailed comments regarding their progress in different areas.

33. How are students placed in year groups and classes?

    Students are placed in year groups according to their date of birth, and it is not our school policy to place out of year group. Great effort is taken to balance classes in terms of nationality, gender, age, English language ability, academic strengths and personality. Any special needs will be taken into account, but parents are not able to select a particular teacher. Students in the Primary School will have a new teacher each year.