NLCS International, a prominent UK educational group, has formalized an agreement with VLC Group, known for its luxury hotels and resorts in Phuket and Khao Lak, to establish NLCS Phuket. This initiative aims to introduce the educational model of one of the United Kingdom’s top independent schools to Thailand’s burgeoning international education sector.
Founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss, North London Collegiate School is widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools. In The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, NLCS was recognized as the Independent Secondary School of the Year, as well as the Independent International Baccalaureate School of the Year and Independent Secondary School of the Year in London. The school’s league tables ranked it as the premier girls’ school in the UK, second amongst all schools in London, and third nationally.
NLCS Phuket is envisioned as a premium co-educational institution offering day and boarding options, catering to students from Early Years through Year 13. The campus will be situated in Cherng Talay, a rapidly developing residential area in Phuket, targeting Thai families, expatriates, and globally mobile families in search of a rigorous British education. The boarding facilities will accommodate students from Thailand and surrounding regions.
The agreement was executed at the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort, with Daniel Lewis, managing director of NLCS International, and Naruj Chirayus, managing director of VLC Group and NLCS Phuket, in attendance. The Chirayus family, who own VLC Group and are involved in the development of NLCS Phuket, expressed their commitment to enhancing Phuket’s educational offerings.
“Phuket already provides an exceptional quality of life for many families, yet there is a noticeable void for a highly academic institution linked to a leading UK educational entity. As a Phuket-based family business, we view education as an essential component of the island’s growth. Our goal is to contribute to making Phuket a more comprehensive place for living, learning, and community building,” stated Naruj Chirayus.
NLCS International collaborates with global partners to create schools that reflect the founding institution’s ethos, emphasizing academic ambition, personalized pastoral care, and a robust co-curricular program. Its network includes schools in Jeju, Dubai, Singapore, Kobe, and Hong Kong, with the latter set to open in 2027.
Lewis remarked, “NLCS Phuket signifies a significant new chapter for our international school family. We aim to provide an education that fosters scholarship in a joyful, exciting environment, celebrating each individual’s uniqueness and nurturing a genuine passion for learning. This is not merely a well-known name; the true strength of NLCS lies in the authentic connections among our schools, the quality of our academic support, and our shared belief that happy, confident students are best positioned to achieve exceptional outcomes.”
NLCS Phuket is slated to open its doors in the third quarter of 2028, with a focus on boarding as a key aspect of its offerings, allowing families to access an NLCS education without the need for overseas relocation. The initiative aims to bolster Phuket’s reputation as a regional educational hub, keeping students close to their families while providing access to major Asian travel networks.
The school is expected to accommodate approximately 1,000 students at opening, with potential expansion to around 1,500. Planned amenities include boarding houses, dedicated junior and senior school sections, science and technology facilities, a 50-meter swimming pool, a sports hall, covered tennis courts, and football pitches.
This development aligns with the growing trend of Thailand’s international education sector expanding beyond Bangkok. According to Kasikorn Research Centre, the international school market in Thailand is projected to grow by 9.7% in 2025, with international student enrollments expected to rise by 8.3%. Phuket has been identified as a crucial market for this expansion.
The VLC Group has indicated that introducing a leading day and boarding school will enhance Phuket’s family infrastructure and stimulate the local economy by attracting long-term residents, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, subsequently increasing demand across various sectors including housing, hospitality, retail, transport, local services, and employment.
Chirayus commented, “Top schools foster communities around them. We have observed this in places like Dubai and Jeju, where education has significantly influenced the development of internationally minded residential areas. With NLCS Phuket, we aim to promote Phuket as a center of educational excellence in the region.”
NLCS International has assured that NLCS Phuket will maintain close ties with the broader NLCS network, receiving support in areas such as school design, curriculum development, recruitment, teacher training, academic planning, and quality assurance.
Source: The Thaiger
