Last year my husband was involved with a small group of parents investigating school options, we concluded that the fees would be the main issue for local families at this time (who are desperate for an alternative to the current conditions), however, I do believe that families from Bangkok would school their children here because of everything Hua Hin has to offer.
For Hua Hin residents I believe a decent English program school would be sufficient and affordable. The salary estimates are appropriate for Bangkok cost of living but its not so expensive here and the quality of life is better (biased opinion I know!).
International School
schools,
I've just come across this thread for the first time today - don't know where I've been.
I am interested to know what age groups your proposed school would propose teaching. Additionally, if you for example would be teaching an A-Level syllabus, what syllabus you would be running with.
I've just come across this thread for the first time today - don't know where I've been.
I am interested to know what age groups your proposed school would propose teaching. Additionally, if you for example would be teaching an A-Level syllabus, what syllabus you would be running with.
Championship Stoke City 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle 
Points 48; Position 20
Points 48; Position 20
The equivalent of 3000 English Pounds per year for a couple of years to finish my son's education. Although its more than I'd wish to pay, it probably wouldn't break the bank either. On the plus side, such a facility in Hua Hin would certainly smooth the way for me taking early retirement.
Certainly, I'd put my son's education ahead of an 18 year golf club membership.
Onlyme wrote:
I've seen my son's teachers in the local pubs here in the UK - my son hasn't come home the next day complaing that his teacher was wasted.
Certainly, I'd put my son's education ahead of an 18 year golf club membership.
Onlyme wrote:
Seeing teachers socialising in Soi Binthabat? I don't see a lot wrong with that. They have to have a social life somewhere. If Soi Binthabat is unsuitable, where would you suggest they go for a night out? Or are we expecting the teachers to be Nuns and Vicars?I wouldn't like to see your teachers down soi bintaban
I've seen my son's teachers in the local pubs here in the UK - my son hasn't come home the next day complaing that his teacher was wasted.
Championship Stoke City 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
Points 48; Position 20
Points 48; Position 20
Better still, pay the golf club membership and give your kid a strict golf training regime 24/7. Could nurture a new Tiger Woods. 
Joking aside, where else is any young man, teacher or otherwise going to have a bit of banter in Hua Hin.
Would imagine the last person he's expecting to bump into in a bar is one of his pupils.
Joking aside, where else is any young man, teacher or otherwise going to have a bit of banter in Hua Hin.
Would imagine the last person he's expecting to bump into in a bar is one of his pupils.
Fees
Theres a great open letter on thaivisa.com which concludes parents to be wary of any English programme or International school that charges LESS than 40k per term. For a GOOD school the fees should be from 120k per year.
The proposed international school I read earlier charging 70k per year is about right, although seemingly high for any of us Europeans used to quality education for free.
One point I believe has been missed from this thread is the sheer amount of wealthy Thai parents who want this education. The International schools in Bangkok,Pattaya etc are at LEAST 40% Thai enrolement, but many are 60%+ in some years.
Back when the economy collapsed, very wealthy Thai parents saw the cost of their oversea school fees more than double overnight. Many Thai students had to come home. this prompted a huge increase in International schools on their home soil. The cost is much lower for them than sending them abroad as well as other benefits of being closer to home and still having Thai culture to hand. Now it is not just the "very" (Unusually??) wealthy that can afford int'l education, the top middle class also chooses this now there are more schools here.
I really think if a quality international school opened here (and I believe it would be better if they already have a BKK school), then it would fill up with both Thai and expat kids - especially if it was a boarding school for Bangkok Thai students.
The proposed international school I read earlier charging 70k per year is about right, although seemingly high for any of us Europeans used to quality education for free.
One point I believe has been missed from this thread is the sheer amount of wealthy Thai parents who want this education. The International schools in Bangkok,Pattaya etc are at LEAST 40% Thai enrolement, but many are 60%+ in some years.
Back when the economy collapsed, very wealthy Thai parents saw the cost of their oversea school fees more than double overnight. Many Thai students had to come home. this prompted a huge increase in International schools on their home soil. The cost is much lower for them than sending them abroad as well as other benefits of being closer to home and still having Thai culture to hand. Now it is not just the "very" (Unusually??) wealthy that can afford int'l education, the top middle class also chooses this now there are more schools here.
I really think if a quality international school opened here (and I believe it would be better if they already have a BKK school), then it would fill up with both Thai and expat kids - especially if it was a boarding school for Bangkok Thai students.
Thank you for your comments - if to go ahead the school would be year 1 to year 13, British curriculum offering IGCSE's, A/S and A2 level. You are very correct to state that one should beware of 'cheap' international schools - unless of course you are happy to have your son or daughter taught by a succession of people from the Khao San Road!
When I initially stated 70,000 per term, this is an estimate and yet to be fully worked out. It is deliberately set a lot cheaper than Bangkok schools as we ought to be able to save slightly on salaries being out of the big smoke, but in order to provide quality education, living standards for teachers must be comfortable, otherwise they will simply not stay.
The point about local Thai children also attending is also extremely valid. There are in fact only two schools in Bangkok that have more than 50% expats (the legal requirement). All the others are upwards to 90% Thai.
Keep the comments coming please....
When I initially stated 70,000 per term, this is an estimate and yet to be fully worked out. It is deliberately set a lot cheaper than Bangkok schools as we ought to be able to save slightly on salaries being out of the big smoke, but in order to provide quality education, living standards for teachers must be comfortable, otherwise they will simply not stay.
The point about local Thai children also attending is also extremely valid. There are in fact only two schools in Bangkok that have more than 50% expats (the legal requirement). All the others are upwards to 90% Thai.
Keep the comments coming please....
schools,
In my original posting I asked what syllabus you would be following? You did not answer that one.
Although I do not understand this personally, I have been told by my son's current school that the syllabus is important. They have told me that there are 2 choices (no idea what they are - but could find out in 2 weeks when the kids go back to school) - 1 syllabus is suitable, the other is not.
To clarify my point above, I am thinking of moving to Thailand 1 year in to my son's A-level education. The school have told me that if I do that, then I must be sure any international school is running the right syllabus to ensure compatibility. If they are running the other syllabus, then the international school would be of little use.
In my original posting I asked what syllabus you would be following? You did not answer that one.
Although I do not understand this personally, I have been told by my son's current school that the syllabus is important. They have told me that there are 2 choices (no idea what they are - but could find out in 2 weeks when the kids go back to school) - 1 syllabus is suitable, the other is not.
To clarify my point above, I am thinking of moving to Thailand 1 year in to my son's A-level education. The school have told me that if I do that, then I must be sure any international school is running the right syllabus to ensure compatibility. If they are running the other syllabus, then the international school would be of little use.
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Points 48; Position 20
Points 48; Position 20
In terms of syllabi, I presume you are thinking about the exam board that is used for the A level? Some subjects are not board specific, ie you can switch from Edexcel to Cambridge for example with little problem in year 13, others will have a different syllabus altogether (especially subjects such as History which will study different topics completely).
We envisage different subjects being led by the Heads of Department and they ultimately will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate board for our students.
I'm sorry but cannot give any specific boards at this early stage.
We envisage different subjects being led by the Heads of Department and they ultimately will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate board for our students.
I'm sorry but cannot give any specific boards at this early stage.
schools,
Can I please ask that if you are successful in your enquiries, and move beyond the concept stage that you post more detail as soon as possible?
I appreciate that you are only at the concept stage at the moment, but I hope you can see that the right decision (for me) could excellerate my retirement, and ultimately my move to Thailand, specifically Hua Hin.We envisage different subjects being led by the Heads of Department and they ultimately will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate board for our students.
I'm sorry but cannot give any specific boards at this early stage.
Can I please ask that if you are successful in your enquiries, and move beyond the concept stage that you post more detail as soon as possible?
Championship Stoke City 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
Points 48; Position 20
Points 48; Position 20
-
hollygolightly1
- Member
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:45 pm
I don't think it is fair to assume that paying non-UK salaries means you will get bad teachers. There are English teachers in Hua Hin on 30,000 Bt a month (considerably more than Thai teachers are paid at the same school) who are super-qualified, and have decided the benefits of being here (lower cost of living, beach, pace of life, weather etc.) compensate for the low salary. And surely, the fees might depend on the teacher- pupil ratio which I don't think you mention?
Teachers salary
Sorry HollygoLightly but I completely disagree. This thread started about Somtawin, and the point there is that they pay 30,000baht per month and have failed to attract a single qualified teacher! They only get native English speakers who may also possess a TEFL certificate - which is hardly a teachers qual.
Compare that to the top Int'l schools that will very rarely hire locally and prefer to recruit directly from UK, USA etc. They get paid a seemingly high salary (although still a substantial drop for their home countries) as it is the only way to attract good quality teachers.
A "real" teacher would expect to earn a min of 50,000baht, up to 150,000baht per month for the "top" schools.
Compare that to the top Int'l schools that will very rarely hire locally and prefer to recruit directly from UK, USA etc. They get paid a seemingly high salary (although still a substantial drop for their home countries) as it is the only way to attract good quality teachers.
A "real" teacher would expect to earn a min of 50,000baht, up to 150,000baht per month for the "top" schools.