North London Collegiate School (NLCS) has announced its intention to establish a new campus in Phuket, Thailand, furthering its international expansion efforts. The new institution, known as NLCS Phuket, is projected to commence operations in the 2028 academic year, marking the school’s sixth overseas location.
Situated in Cherngtalay, a rapidly developing residential area, NLCS Phuket will provide both day and boarding school options. Initially, the school will accommodate approximately 1,000 students, with the potential to expand to 1,500 in subsequent years. Planned facilities include modern junior and senior school buildings, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a sports hall, covered tennis courts, and football pitches.
Daniel Lewis, managing director of NLCS, emphasized that the introduction of NLCS Phuket will allow the institution to extend its educational philosophy to a broader audience. “NLCS Phuket represents an important new chapter for our international family of schools,” Lewis stated. “Our aim is to deliver an education that develops scholarship, in a joyful and exciting environment, that celebrates every individual for who they are, and that is rooted in a genuine love of learning.”
The establishment of NLCS Phuket will be in collaboration with VLC Group, a local company that operates hotels and resorts in Phuket and Khao Lak. Naruj Chirayus, managing director of VLC, expressed confidence that the introduction of a high-caliber academic institution will enhance the region’s appeal. “For many families, Phuket already offers an exceptional quality of life, but there has been a clear gap in the market for a highly academic school with a direct connection to one of the UK’s leading educational institutions,” Chirayus remarked. “As a Phuket-based family business, we see education as a natural part of the island’s next stage of growth.”
With the addition of NLCS Phuket, the group will operate seven schools worldwide, following existing campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. This development comes on the heels of previous concerns regarding the management of NLCS’ Singapore branch. The opening of NLCS Phuket reflects the growing presence of British independent school brands globally, a trend that aligns with the UK government’s International Education Strategy unveiled earlier this year.
Source: Tes
